Olympic Park 2012

How long does it take to get to Stratford from St Pancras in central London? Right now the answer is 26 minutes (or 38 minutes on the weekend due to ‘planned engineering works’ see TLF for details), but in 2012 the Olympic Shuttle will take only 7 minutes. In fact in the trial of the new ‘Javelin’ service this week, the time achieved was only 6 minutes and 45 seconds.

New Train for Olympic 2012 passengers from Kings Cross St Pancras - Stratford

This will be an important piece in the East London transport network, when is comes to games time. The ODA is aspiring to encourage use of public transport – in fact it would be impossible for all spectators to come by car – witness the gridlock at the Blackwall tunnel at rush hour. Capacity at Stratford station will be trebled, new Dockland Light Rail (DLR) tunnels are being added, there will be a new ticket hall at Kings Cross, a new DLR platform at Stratford, a direct link from City Airport to Stratford, to name but a few improvements. Overall this part of East London will be far better connected in three years.

Olympic 2012 Stadium in 2009 - constuction workers form 3 for 3 years to go!

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The Olympic Act of 2006 came back into the news last week, with a Human Rights story about police powers “to enter private homes and seize political posters during the London 2012 Olympics” from the Daily Mail amongst others.  According to the Guardian, these measures were passed with the intention of preventing “‘overcommercialisation’ of the games” but might be used differently.

The original purpose of the Act (which can be read on the Department for Culture Media and Sport website at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/pdf/ukpga_20060012_en.pdf ) was to give police powers to enter private homes e.g. to deal with ‘ambush marketing’ materials advertising near to Olympic Venues with the Olympic logo. Press coverage suggests that the Bill is so broad that the powers could be used where terrorism is suspected, and that cival rights groups are worried that the right to protest is also under threat.

I am not sure why this story is back, but it reminded me of news from 2007 about a leaked memo from No.10, when the Telegraph reported that the government was considering using DNA checks, scanning post, CCTV, monitoring oyster cards etc. to fight Olympic 2012 crime. Doubtless we all value our personal freedom and privacy, but if these powers are really necessary, then what is the real threat?

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This weekend 24-26th July across the UK there are various events as part of the Open Weekend. You can search for events near you at http://www.london2012.com/get-involved/open-weekend/event-search.php

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Work has begun on the last of the major permanent structures. The Handball Arena will be used for Basketball, Wheelchair Basketball, Boxing, Handball, Badminton, Judo, Netball, Futsal (5-a-side indoor football) and Volleyball.

With (recycled) copper cladding and glazing for a view into the action, I think this building will look distinctive despite the regular shape. It will be sited a little north of the Stadium, and you can see how it will look in this picture from the ODA. The design includes taking natural light and rain water through pipes into the building for use in the facility.

As a legacy venue it should be a flexible space, according to Peter Rogers (CE of the London Development Agency) “With the equivalent space of 12 badminton courts and retractable seating, the venue has been designed for all levels of sports participation and has the potential to accommodate cultural, entertainment and business events.” The promise is also that it will include a health and fitness club with changing facilities and a café for the local public.

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Stadium Top Tier Completed 17th July 2009

The final Truss of the Olympic Stadium’s Shell was put into place today 16^th July 09, around five and a half months since we saw the first of those steel ‘roof pieces’. The completed circle looks striking, and much more attractive than the dodgy soil and disused printworks we use to have.

It is 14 months since work began, and actually the end July target ODA set for the Stadium was to only have started the roof structure. So hats off to the busy construction contractors McApline (also responsible for Arsenal’s ‘emirates stadium’). This is helping to raise expectations of a smooth run up to the games in the next 3 years.

A lot of work remains to be done of course on this and other key buildings. I expect we will see the swimming pool shape up first, then the basket ball arena as contracts have recently been given out. As the Ayrshire Post reports, “BARR Construction has won a share of a £58m contract to build a basketball arena for the London Olympics.”  More on those ones later, right now I am happy to add a picture to the set of timelapse photos, which has a full top tier ring!

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Olympic Arena 2012 being built in East London on 3rd July 2009

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