Olympics to be car free! what a good idea

[Zirax]

I was reading that they were going to make the olympics car free on the train this morning
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/23/car_free_2012_olympics/

Essentially the main transport link is going to be stratford, great. So not only are they shutting down one lane of "major roads" into London and all over the country, everyone is going to be getting there by heading into Stratford. One security alert and boom there goes the events for that day. Getting to work is going to be hell, wherever you are.

The only good thing thus far is that there is going to be a 7 min link between stratford and kings cross opening next month o/ Now just think of all those extra people on the underground, confused, standing on the platform aimlessly wandering about, its going to be hell.

On the brightside, we won the olympics everyone :D

[Mark]

I have to give TfL credit. I went to cricket at the Oval and while the way in was decidely chaotic due to a broken down train, the way back there were LRT staff 'directing traffic' at all the main points. It took a few trains going through to get everyone out, but they were all full and people were given ample time to get on and off.

We can do major sporting events - Manchester 2002 was proof of that. Everyone - including some notoriously skeptical commentators - saw that as a success. Plus, if we screw up, everyone - and I mean everyone - will hear about it.

Yes, there will be problems, especially for commuters, but I just don't get all the doom and gloom when it's stil five years out. Sorry if I'm missing something obvious.

[Admiral Huddy]

Looking at the site this morning, It's amazing how they know what's going where... All the old railways sidding, buildings, brown belt land etc all gone.. just tons of "bob the builder" trucks :)

[Nutcase]

Wasn't the dome "car free"? Look what happened with that!

Fact is, without decent (i.e. attractive alternative to driving) public transport, it ain't going to work.

To be fair, a LOT of work is going into the infrastructure, but not nearly enough, and there just isn't time.

[Mat]

It'll be a botch job as they wont have the time or the funds to get it done properly. Look how much time and money it took them to get Wembley sorted and that was just one stadium!

[Mark]

In truth, Wembley was one big botch. It started several years late and went downhill from there.

The Olympics simply cannot be late. It's quite evident that money will be thrown at the problem until it goes away. The Olympics always goes over-budget, except when in China where such things don't happen (even five years out we already have that problem).

I think people in power would prefer taking heat for an overspend to Jacques Rogge shouting at them though. He's scary. ;D

[Admiral Huddy]

I'm looking for progress pics.. don't seem to find any..

[Mark]

http://www.london2012.com/blog/2007/10/04/video-work-accelerates-on-the-olympic-stadium-site.php

[Nutcase]

http://www.london2012.com/blog/2007/10/04/video-work-accelerates-on-the-olympic-stadium-site.php

You've got to feel for the businesses forcibly relocated :(

We had one very big job, overseeing the asbestos removal from the old East London mail depot prior to it being flattened.

To be honest, the amount of cheese in that building, buggered if I'd have wanted to work in it anyway!

[Mark]

Not sure he'd appreciate that particular variety though. :D

[Nutcase]

Yeah the aftertaste is a bit bitter and lasts a while ;)

[Mark]

I think people in power would prefer taking heat for an overspend to Jacques Rogge shouting at them though. He's scary. ;D
Jacques Rogge is watching...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/7056985.stm

:)

[Belmit]

Mmm, asbestosy.