GREENWICH: Boris Johnson slams Olympics plans (From News Shopper)

GREENWICH: Boris Johnson slams Olympics plans

4:12pm Thursday 1st October 2009 in Search

PLANS for Olympic events in the area have taken another blow after criticism from the Mayor of London.

Boris Johnson has branded plans for a £25m temporary arena to host badminton and rhythmic gymnastics near Greenwich’s O2 complex a waste of money, claiming Wembley Arena should be used for a fraction of the price.

And the mayor also called for the 2012 shooting competition, due to be held at Woolwich Barracks, to be moved to Barking instead, claiming it would save £10m.

Woolwich Barracks was given the go ahead by Olympic chiefs earlier this year but they have now confirmed feasibility work will be carried out on where to hold some of the events, including shooting and rhythmic gymnastics.

Mr Johnson said: “Nobody will understand or accept wasting money on building unnecessary temporary arenas instead of using first-class, existing venues like Wembley Arena. “ He added moving shooting to Barking would create “a real legacy by reclaiming land and delivering transport and environmental improvements, which will lay the foundations for further regeneration in the area.”

The UK's governing body for shooting, British Shooting, is also against Woolwich as the venue for 2012, and has campaigned for it to be switched to the sport's existing headquarters in Bisley, Surrey, which it says is the home of the sport.

Last year 10,941 signed a petition on the Downing Street website which was set-up by Great Britain shooting team member, Nicola Heron.

The Olympic board, which includes Mr Johnson, Olympics minister Tessa Jowell and London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) chief Sebastian Coe will meet later this month to discuss the issues.

A spokesman for LOCOG said: “The mayor wants there to be a debate, as do we, about the best use of money.”