Plans afoot to move US embassy in London

London, Feb 22: The American embassy in London, which has been considered a prime target for militants since the September 11, 2001 attacks, could be moved to a new location, US officials today said.

The embassy, one of the largest US diplomatic buildings in the world housing about 750 staff in over 600 rooms on nine floors, has been situated in Grosvenor Square in the upmarket Mayfair area of the capital since 1938.

But concerns over its protection has led officials to ponder a move.

''The US Embassy (USE) is assessing various property management options, among which are continued possession of its current premises or relocation,'' the embassy said in a statement.

''The US Embassy has made no decisions and is in a very preliminary stage of this process.'' It also denied speculation linking it with a move to Chelsea Barracks, a historic former British army barracks near the River Thames.

The issue of security at the embassy has not only worried US diplomats but also raised the heckles of its neighbours living in multi-million dollar homes.

Local residents have argued that they are at risk because the British authorities have not done enough to protect the area surrounding the embassy from an attack.

Their fears were increased after four British Islamists carried out suicide bomb attacks on London's transport network in July, 2005.

The embassy's diplomats have also got involved with a spat with the capital's outspoken mayor over claims it owes more than 1 million pounds in congestion charges -- a daily fee imposed on all vehicles that drive in central London.

The embassy, like those of some other countries, has refused to pay the charge since July 2005 arguing it is a tax from which diplomats are exempt.

Livingstone disputes this and says the United States is the worst offender.

Reuters