|
|
|
Brakes on Olympic cycling through Hampstead Heath
Ben McPartland
HAMPSTEAD and Highgate are to miss out on hosting one of the showpiece events in the 2012 Olympics, the Ham&High has learned.
The route for the road cycling races - originally planned to go from Regent's Park up to Hampstead Heath - is to be switched to outside London.
Sources at the 2012 organising committee and Camden Council confirmed the news to the Ham&High this week although the committee refused to officially confirm the news until a "final decision" is made.
The news comes after the International Cycling Union (UCI) asked 2012 chiefs to follow the example set at the Beijing Olympics and move the bulk of the course outside of the city.
The decision has led to disappointment for residents and cycling fans.
Keen cyclist Bob Speller, the caretaker at Hampstead Parochial School, said: "It's terrible and a great shame.
"There will probably be half as many spectators now.
"How many of our kids will be able to get out there and watch it? If it was in London they would all have been up there watching it. It is such a shame.
"I don't know what could have been done.
"All these decisions are taken high up."
Mr Speller and pupils at Hampstead Parochial were among the thousands of children who turned up to see the final stage of the 2006 Tour of Britain race which passed through Hampstead and Highgate.
But instead of following the same course, as was expected, Olympic road racers will now speed out of the city.
The new course is expected to take in landmarks like Windsor Castle and Hampton Court.
Stefano Casalotti, from the Camden Cycling Campaign, said: "Obviously, it is a shame. We all wanted it to be here.
"I don't know what they based their decision on but with the hills in this area it would have made a good course.
"Everyone in Camden wanted it here but these things are decided at a much higher level."
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) did not wish to make an official comment on the move this week.
Meanwhile details emerged this week of another Olympic event which will be taking place close to home.
LOCOG will unveil the detailed plans next week to turn the home of cricket to a home for bowmen as archery comes to Lord's cricket ground as part of the games. The eight-day event will take place from July 27 to August 3 with 128 athletes competing for four gold medals.
But they must first get permission from Westminster City Council.
A planning application is to be
submitted in May for the
temporary works, which include setting up temporary seating for 5,000 spectators.
A conference is to be held on Thursday Friday and Saturday next week to which local residents and members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) are invited.
For more visit www.london2012/lordsconsultation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| HEATH & HAMPSTEAD NEWS |
Use the links at the bottom of the story to have your say, send the story to a friend, or send a story in to the Ham&High newsroom
|
|
|
|
|
|