And now Boris gives Street Parties the Mayoral thumbs up

Lizzie Noel, the Mayor's Adviser on Social Action and Volunteering responded to a question from Chris Gittens at Streets Alive regarding the problems some Londoners face when dealing with their local council over street closures:

"Thank you for your email highlighting difficulties with street closures.

Please accept my response on behalf of the Mayor.

This issue has previously been brought to our attention and the subject, particularly in respect of the Big Lunch on 18th July, was on the agenda earlier this week at a London Councils meeting chaired by the Mayor.

We intend to keep up the pressure in the two year run-up to the 2012 Games and the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and we will continue to raise it in a number of forums."