Greenwich.co.uk Connect » General Discussion

What Olympics events are in the park?

(3 posts)

  1. GORN61
    Member

    I know it's "equestrian" stuff, but if I want to wander around the park and see them doing stuff, what do I need to "apply for" tickets to see?
    Is it "eventing"?

    Posted 1 year ago #

  2. GORN61
    Member

    I got an email reply today to the question I asked on the London 2012 website about this. The reply told me that I should read the FAQ on the website, and if that didn't answer the question I should click the link to send it in, which is exactly what I had done.
    The email did include a telephone number. I called that, and got a recorded announcement that the number had changed. I called the other number (a shared revenue one this time, of course), and after 2 minutes of blather advertising the website and a bunch of press button choices and the nastiest hold music I've ever heard, I got through to a human being, to whom I explained the question.
    She at first told me that the only events happening in Greenwich Park were rowing (in the boating lake, perhaps?). I got her to believe me that there were some horse-riding events, and that I wanted to know about how ticketing works for the ones that follow the course around the park. She told me how the ones in arena worked.
    I asked again about whether for the ones in the course in the park I could walk through the park and stand where I wanted. She told me that all of the park except the arena was open for anyone to walk around without a ticket.
    I expressed my doubt, and she took my email address to get back to me later.

    Posted 1 year ago #

  3. Indigo
    Member

    the only events happening in Greenwich Park were rowing

    LOL LOL. Perhaps this, below, gives a clue to the lack of "focus" at LOCOG/London2012: this message went to four officers of the Greenwich Society and the Westcombe Society (I am a member of the latter), and as yet no acknowledgement or response has been received. Am guessing that the message has been forwarded to LOCOG for their comment, and that the amenity societies are waiting to be told by LOCOG what to say by way of reply.

    --------------------------------------

    Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2011 09:56:31
    Subject: Thames Water's comments: LOCOG, Greenwich Park 2012, and the local amenity societies

    As you will know, by the time a developer submits a planning application to the Council, they (the developer) have - normally - already ascertained whether or not the existing water and sewage infrastructure can cope with the added demand of the proposed new development.

    LOCOG did not.

    Did you know that

    • Thames Water commented (on 8 January 2010) on LOCOG's planning applications 09/2598/F and 09/2599/L?
    • these comments were withheld from the Planning Board (23 March 2010)?
    • these comments/informatives were omitted from the planning consent letter (29 March 2010)?

    The mains water and sewage infrastructure is being treated - by both Greenwich Council and LOCOG - as if its capacity was infinitely scaleable (upwards) at no cost and in a very short time. It isn't. Last week I asked Fred Brown to tell me why Thames Water's conditions were omitted from the "informatives" in the planning consent letter, and I asked him to send me a copy of each of the

    1. existing water supply infrastructure impact studies (required by Thames Water);
    2. drainage study for the development (has to be approved in writing by Greenwich Council);
    3. the piling method statement (has to be approved by Thames Water); and
    4. Thames Water's written approval/permission to discharge to the main sewer (which LOCOG must have by now).

    I have received no acknowledgement or response.

    When you, the amenity societies, had your meetings with LOCOG over the past year, did any of you question LOCOG about how the existing water and sewage infrastructure is to cope? Did you point out to LOCOG that pubs and cafes and restaurants and food shops (butcher, baker) will have to close if their staff cannot wash their hands because the equestrian events are using so much water that the mains pressure reduces so much that nothing comes out of the taps? Did you draw to LOCOG's attention that there are vulnerable people living near the Park, such as the residents of Serica Court?

    Perhaps you thought that these matters were not within your remit because you were representing only your membership which is mainly/only residents, not the local businesses and sheltered communities and young people and children, and your members can afford to buy bottled water. However, I seem to remember that the local amenity societies claim to work to make life in Greenwich nicer for everyone. Not to help LOCOG perpetuate a situation where no one has any safe running water and the streets run with sewage overflow.

    I have a copy of Thames Water's comments of 8 January 2010 but I had to obtain it myself from Thames Water, last year, after the Planning Board. Greenwich Council would not send it to me. If you want to see it, please let me know.

    One last thing: in its comments of 8 January 2010, Thames Water said that they "will aim to provide customers with a minimum pressure of 10m head (approx 1 bar) and a flow rate of 9 litres/minute at the point where it leaves Thames Waters pipes. The developer should take account of this minimum pressure in the design of the proposed development." You should know that 1 bar is the statutory minimum. It would not be enough for the requirements of the equestrian events in the Park in 2012 and possibly not in 2011, either.

    ---------------- ends ------------------

    Posted 1 year ago #

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