Olympic park could close a year before games

1:53pm Monday 19th May 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

A PARK could be closed to the public for Olympics preparations a year before the games, it has been claimed.

Greenwich Park, part of the Greenwich World Heritage Site, is due to hold equestrian events including cross country riding during the 2012 Olympics.

But rider and trainer Dane Rawlins from the Dressage at Hickstead riding venue in West Sussex says the 183-acre park may need to be closed a year before the games for a trial event and for its paths to be dug up to lay down the course's track.

Mr Rawlins, who has been involved in riding for 37 years, also said the site is too small and raised fears that trees may have to be cut down or cut back to make room for the cross country course.

He said: "It's a matter of physical size. I'm concerned about the way the cross country course will squash into the park.

"To squander around £24m preparing the site for a three-week event is ridiculous.

"And what are the people of Greenwich going to say when they walk in there on the first day of work and a security guard is telling them they can't come in?"

Mr Rawlins, who used to live in Eltham, has suggested moving the cross country to existing facilities at Lee Valley in Leyton instead.

He said: "The argument is we don't have any legacy left by this - it all has to be removed at the end.

"They should keep the stadium events but take the cross country events outside.

"It will allow a lot more room for spectators and that way we've still got the benefit of this iconic park without ruining it."

Deptford Action Group for the Elderly project officer Tim Hamilton said his charity was concerned about the loss of a nearby recreation space with historic value.

He said: "We're concerned that pensioners, their children and grandchildren will be unable to use the park for a lengthy period.

"They will remember it from early times and won't want to see it destroyed for the sake of a three-week event."

Mr Hamilton has arranged to meet with a member of the organising committee on May 28 to discuss his concerns.

But Elaine Warrell from community group Friends of Greenwich Park said she had not heard anything about long closures on the site, which is also a sanctuary for deer, foxes and birds.

She said: "We accept the decision to use the park has been made.

"The most important thing we can do is make sure the park is properly surveyed by monitoring the effects of footfall and what might happen to wildlife."

A spokesman for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games said estimates of closure times were speculation.

He said: "The Greenwich Park venue and cross country course are in the early design stages and therefore the programme of works for the venue have yet to be established.

"We understand people's concerns and will undergo a full process of local consultation before any works begin.

"We chose Greenwich Park for equestrian and modern pentathlon events because it is an iconic location which will provide a spectacular backdrop in London in 2012.

"We will work with all agencies concerned, including Greenwich Council, to meet all the challenges going forward."