The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre could lead to the construction of more tall buildings in London as global companies move out of the United States for security reasons, claimed mayor Ken Livingstone.
Speaking to Building, Livingstone said planning applications for skyscrapers had showed no sign of tailing off in the wake of the attacks on 11 September.

He said: "Applications are still coming in. If anything they might increase. Firms are asking whether they should go to New York or here."

The mayor said many firms believe London provides a safer business environment because the British security authorities are perceived to have more experience in handling terrorism.

He said: "Our security is so much better. In the United States you can just walk onto a plane. There's no way you could hijack four planes simultaneously here."

Regus, a firm that specialises in the rented office sector, has leant weight to Livingstone's claims by confirming that it has been asked to provide accommodation in the City of London for financial service operators that were once housed in the twin towers (Building, 28 September, pages 24-25).

Livingstone has also rejected claims that mounting concern over the vulnerability of tall buildings would scupper his plans to construct 15 to 20 skyscrapers in the capital in the next 10 years. "You're more likely to be killed crossing the road than in a terrorist attack," he said.