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2012 chiefs pledge not to spoil Greenwich Park
Matthew Beard, Sports News Correspondent27.06.08
Olympics chiefs have promised that Greenwich Park will not suffer any damage as result of hosting the 2012 equestrian event.
Games planners have guaranteed concerned locals that ancient trees in the royal park will not have to make way for the event. The pledge came as 2012 chiefs launched a public consultation over the venue in the face of unprecedented levels of opposition to their choice of venue.
Park users' groups and senior equestrian-figures have claimed that the 180-acre Park - a World Heritage site - is too small. They claim it is ill-suited to cope with the three-day event which is expected to attract 20,000 spectators. Opponents have fought a five-year battle to relocate the event, claiming that Greenwich was chosen because its historic buildings would appeal to an international television audience.
But the Games organising committee Locog has fought back in the public relations battle as it seeks to gain planning permission from Greenwich Council next year.
In a letter to local groups, including the Friends of Greenwich Park, it has made a series of promises to counter alleged misinformation from a minority of locals.
Greatest concerns has surrounded the cross-country event staged on the slopes around the Observatory which it had been claimed would necessitate uprooting ancient trees, endangering an entire avenue of oaks linking the Park to Blackheath and trampling a flower garden.
Countering these claims, Locog said it would not damage or remove trees of ecological importance. Jackie Brock-Doyle, Locog's director of communications, said: "We understand concerns about Greenwich Park but believe it will be a stunning venue in 2012 with unique features such as the Meridian Line. We want to work with local residents and Greenwich Council to make sure the local community gets involved in our plans."
Liz Coyle, chair of Friends of Greenwich Park, said: "Some people are opposed to the use of the park for the Games and in the absence of a detailed plan of the course rumours have been allowed to spread about ancient trees being cut down. We welcome the fact that Locog have put these promises in writing."
• Police have arrested 14 suspected illegal immigrants working as security guards at the Olympic Park in the first security breach to hit the 2012 project. The workers, employed by security firm Safe-sec, managed to evade background checks carried out on staff by the Olympic Delivery Authority. The guards now face deportation after they were arrested in a joint operat ion between the Metropolitan Police and the Home Office's UK Border Agency.
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Reader views (5)
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Personally, I cannot understand why the 4 day event is not being held at Badminton. Recognised as the best eventing venue in the world, with years of experience of handling the crowds, why spend millions on digging up Greenwich Park? Also, for the majority of the people who follow eventing, Badminton is an easy venue to access. I have been told that we won the opportunity to stage the games as long as no venue was more than 30 minutes from the village. So China can have it's equestrian events in Hong Kong? Mind boggles! I quite understand the feelings of the local residents at Greenwich Park and am, personally, very angry as there is no way that I can afford to come to London for 4 days so will have to watch on telly. Lucky me. Should have gone to Hong Kong. would have been cheaper than trying to get an hotel in London for the eventing. VERY ANGRY.
- Kathleen May, Shrewsbury, England.
I,like many others, had serious concerns about the suitability of Greenwich Park as a venue for the 2012 Olympic equestrian event. However, since hearing that Derrick Spurr (the manager of Greenwich Park) is confident that no lasting damage will be done, I am inclined to put my trust in him rather than heed the speculative and ill-informed opinions of a vociferous minority.
- Margaret Dinkeldein, Blackheath, London Borough of Greenwich, UK
If they can insert the eventing course in Greenwich Park without any damage why do they not publish the course so we all can see how it will fit in the park. The leader of Greenwich council talks about a done deal ( to use his words ) the local labour MP Nick Raysford is very happy with this use of Greenwich Park. The BEF and Locog are happy. Is so can they publish their plans. They must exist because how else are all these persons happy. Greenwich park is about 1000m north to south and 800m wide. The minimum length of the eventing course is 6270 m. and 10m wide. For the above persons to all be happy can they not make the rest of us happy by putting their draft plans into the public domain. They, after all, have had since 2005 to prepare their plans. Most of the people I speak to are unaware of what this Government has planed for Greenwich Park.
- John O'Donnell, Greenwich, London
