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Starkey: Riding events will destroy Greenwich
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor20.10.08
THE royal park at Greenwich will be ruined if Olympics organisers stage the 2012 equestrian competitions there, the historian David Starkey claimed today.
The author and broadcaster also warned of damage to the rest of Maritime Greenwich, which is designated by the United Nations as a world heritage site, because of the volume of people who would pour into the area to watch the Games.
A decision to use the area has attracted fierce local opposition. Opponents argue that the site is too small and that serious damage to the park's historic trees and landscape will be inevitable, while others are angry that a third of the park will be closed for 10 months to prepare for the events.
Olympics organisers claim they will be able to protect the park and restore it to its original condition once the Games are over.
Dr Starkey believes the park, created by Henry VIII, is a "unique and fragile" landscape which would suffer irreparable harm.
Reader views (13)
We I am one local who does support the Olympic proposals and I know I am not alone.
I live by the park and use it every day. I am very excited that it will be used for the equestrian competitions.
This nimby reaction really annoys me.
Can't anyone else see how you are being manipulated?
- Charlotte, Blackheath
America has already lost all of its OLD chestnut trees to an insect. Don't let people INTENTIONALLY damage yours; along with the other historical offerings of Greenwich Park!!!!!! A small contingent galloping through the trees 400 years ago is a lot different that construction crews, etc. getting the grounds ready for tens of thousands of people to descend on the gardens, etc. I love horses and horse events more the most equine fanatics; but please use some common sense - change the location!!!!!!
- Marti Perry, Custer, USA
Take the horses to Scotland!
- Loli, Greenwich, London
NO ONE wants this to happen in the park- local support does not exist.
We must stop this.
- Jez, Greenwich, London
I am pleased to see that virtually all the comments oppose the planned equestrian events in Greenwich Park. I respect other views but I must point out the fatuity of Anna Smith's comment: of course Henry VIII's riding caused no lasting damage - it was over 400 years ago.
To attempt to hold a cross country event in an urban park is madness. I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw that the planned route goes through the flower garden.
The initial requirement for a 'compact Olympics', although it sounds good, was unrealistic. Nor has it been achieved: the sailing is at Weymouth and the rowing at Eton.
- Michael Goldman, London, UK.
To trash Greenwich Park in the name of the Olympics sets a very grave precedent. We should be very concerned. Greenwich Royal Park, in the heart of a World Heritage Site is a precious and ancient oasis of great beauty and public utility as a "Green Gym". It is not a show ground. The Olympic organizers' experience is solely in event delivery on dedicated sites. Their priority is to deliver "The Best Games Ever" - it is not to preserve Greenwich Park. If The Royal Parks, Greenwich Council, UNESCO and other bodies can allow this to happen what does it mean for the future of the Park? "Horse of the Year Show"? Motocross? The annual Marathon is just about tolerable but with tighter Health, Safety & Security restrictions, the public don't even have the fun of watching the start in the Park any more. Instead of building a stadium and hundreds of temporary structures on the park, why not create a challenging green landscape at Excel? The TV cameras could still film long shots of "Iconic" Greenwich - the only real reason for selecting this venue.
- Susan Mcneil, Greenwich, London.
When there are already excellent existing facilities elsewhere, which are as convenient to the capital as the rowing at Windsor and more so than the sailing off Portland, why are the organisers of the 2012 Games insisting on a Greenwich location that is so obviously unsuitable? Rather than destroy the legacy left by Henry VIII, why don’t they devote their efforts towards creating a permanent equestrian legacy where it will be appreciated?
- John, London Borough of Greenwich
If no one in authority cares for the park or the people of Greenwich, there is still the question of cost. Is no one in control of the spending for the 2012 Olympics? The cost of putting the Equestrian Events in Greenwich Park is over £20,000,000. To use an existing site the cost would be at the most a quarter of this and the legacy of a wonderful equestrian site would be the result.
- Ann Glynn, Blackheath, Greenwich, London
Anyone familiar with Greenwich and the Royal Park cannot fail to be alarmed and concerned. The organizers compare it to previous Olympic sites none of which were built on a precious historic fragile gem of a garden such as Greenwich. Constructing a 23,000 seat arena and stabling for 250 horses plus all the necessary infrastructure is BOUND to damage the fabric. It is madness. Unspeakable madness.
- Joan Vinecombe, Beckenham, Kent.
In a presentation last week, the organisers (LOCOG) stated that construction of the main arena would start in April/May 2012. Given that the Paralympic event finishes on 4 September, it could be October before that section of the Park is open to the public again. I make it 7 months that the bottom end of the Park will have to be closed for safety reasons. This is the most popular area of the Park because it is near the town and public transport. To deprive thousands of people access to the recreational facilities here is monstrously out of proportion with an event lasting a few days. Also I shouldn't think that local traders will be too pleased with the loss of income for 28 weekends if people stay away.
Apart from the logistical difficulties of transporting along the narrow roads of Greenwich over 100 horse boxes and the vehicles and equipment needed to construct a 23000-spectator arena in a residential area, think of the nuisance that building such a huge structure with floodlighting and security will cause local residents. On event days the noise of helicopters will be unbearable. As for the 23000 in the arena and the unspecified number along the cross country course, I wish them luck getting to Greenwich by train and the DLR.
The Minister, Tessa Jowell, stated in The Independent that local people shouldn't feel imposed upon. I think that, if people in Greenwich opened their eyes to the nightmare scenario that awaits them, then they will feel imposed upon.
- S D'Souza, London, UK.
How absurd! Henry VIII would have been thrilled at the thought of riders from all over the world enjoying the park and his own riding has certainly not caused lasting damage. Starkey's one of those intellectual spoilsports in the literal sense!
- Anna Smith, South East London
Of course it will ruin it.
Why not use an existing purpose built Equestrian Centre. Greenwich will be in total gridlock, more than usual, utilities will not be able to cope. There is nowhere for anyone to stay short term. It's not big enough and is not the right venue.
How about some of the unused wasteful acres in one of the royal palaces or houses.
- Jackie, surrey
I live by the park. My children play in the park. It is one of the lungs of London, as Dickens put it. It is indeed unique and fragile. Tell the Olympic organisers about the mass of green surrounding the capital, not the few oxygen patches within.
- Peter Bach, Greenwich, London
