Today’s Observer has reported that the Olympics may not bring the benefits to London that they are widely expected to. A report commissioned by the London Assembly states that the high expectations for improvements and regeneration in east London boroughs will not be fulfilled.
I am currently residing in Newham, one of the boroughs set to be the most affected by the games, and I would disagree with aspects of that report- the progress in regenerating this area is clearly visible. Forget the facts and figures, the change is there for all to see, and on the train I notice new building work progressing day by day. Residential buildings are springing up fast, and the train station is undergoing another refurb to ensure the transport links are up to scratch for 2012. House prices have also boomed since the games were won.
I can’t agree with arts funding being siphoned off for the Olympic budget, but we have got the games now and I do think the benefits will become clearer in time, especially in Newham.
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PurpleDragon
- 13.05.2007 @ 14:58:12
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joebangles
- 13.05.2007 @ 16:41:58
Maybe that's one of the problems hf, Newham and even London as a whole will benefit, and I don't doubt that they will, but what about the rest of the country, and in the long run we will all be paying the costs.
Many areas of Britain badly need re-building but if we have to wait untill we can hold an olympic games some have a very long wait.
A boom in house prices is something that we don't want because it's the start of a trend that will spread far and wide and how will the youngsters ever get their first house, not to forget the essential workers that are on low wages.
I will be glued to the television when it's on, I love the olympic games, I am pleased for anyone that gains out of it, but, I read that the last two country's that held the games are still counting the cost.
Time has come I think, for the games to be held at a permanent site, possibly Athens, with all competing countries sharing the costs.
Sorry hf, didn't mean this to turn into a rant, that's my problem, I have opinions on everything. -
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- 13.05.2007 @ 17:10:12
Pity that this was ever planned for London HF. I reckon it would have been much better to have put it in the middle of the country. That way the infrastructure would have been there in the first place, somewhere close to Birmingham would have been good, and the whole country could then have benefitted. I think they are going to struggle to provide the transport infrasturcture on the chosen site. As for cost, well I hope it doesn't get completely out of hand and there is some benefit from it all.
Just a massive shame that so many allotments are being built over with either no replacements offered, or too far for the previous tenants to travel.