Bradford Council is spending £100,000 to reinforce fencing around the city centre urban garden, ahead of a planned protest by the English Defence League.

Council chief executive Tony Reeves said the measures needed to be taken now to deal with any potential hazard in case the march, planned for Saturday, August 28, went ahead.

Concrete blocks are being installed to strengthen fencing around the garden on the stalled Broadway shopping centre development site.

Mr Reeves said: “The police and the Council have to plan for the proposed protests on August 28 well in advance, even before we know if they are definitely going to happen and what form they may take.

“To make sure that the city centre is safe for the people of Bradford if the protests do go ahead and that disruption is kept to a minimum, we will be dealing with any potential hazards.

“This work includes the casting of concrete blocks to make fencing stronger. These concrete blocks can be removed at a later date and reused in retaining walls or flood defences.”

A 10,000-plus name petition calling for the EDL march to be banned will be presented to the London offices of the Home Secretary Theresa May tomorrow by Paul Meszaros of banner organisation Bradford Together.

The call has been backed by the Telegraph & Argus. The petition, which has attracted the support of thousands of T&A readers, is now closed.

e-mail: jo.winrow@telegraphandargus.co.uk