Greenwich Park to be dug up for the Olympics
Discussion
Few back handers passed no doubt.
If anyone hasn't heard Greenwich Park is to be used for the equestrian events at the 2012 Olympics, involving much modification to the Historic park. As the BBC are so keen these days to limit bad news that might reflect in the lethargic qualities of our current leadership to do anything that isn't their own financial interest in a letter to the Times Dr David Starkey sums it up.
If anyone hasn't heard Greenwich Park is to be used for the equestrian events at the 2012 Olympics, involving much modification to the Historic park. As the BBC are so keen these days to limit bad news that might reflect in the lethargic qualities of our current leadership to do anything that isn't their own financial interest in a letter to the Times Dr David Starkey sums it up.
David Starkey said:
Sir, Your preview (Register, Mar 20) of the Discover Greenwich interpretation centre highlights the extraordinary historical, architectural and landscape importance of this site. Greenwich is the finest assemblage of Baroque buildings in northern Europe, all set in an incomparable parkland landscape. And it is one of the handful of views in London that would be recognised by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, whose birthplace Greenwich also happens to be. Naturally, in view of its international importance, Greenwich has the highest level of conservation protection as both a World Heritage Site and a Grade I-listed park.
And yet, almost incredibly, Greenwich faces its gravest threat since the 19th century. Then it was proposed to drive a railway through the park; now, and scarcely less vandalistically, to make it the site of the 2012 Olympics equestrian events. To do so will require the lopping and pruning of trees, the removal and replacement of thousands of tons of topsoil, countless journeys by heavy lorries and soil-moving equipment, compaction of the soil by the feet of 75,000 spectators and the closure of sections of the park to the public for up to five years.
And for what? To provide a pretty TV backdrop for a few hours of an elitist minority sport — for which, incidentally, ample facilities in an equally beautiful setting already exist as near as Windsor. It will cost a fortune. And there will be no legacy whatever, apart from the likelihood of irreparable damage to the archaeology of the site and the long-term scarring of the landscape.
Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, is on record as saying that the decision to hold equestrian events at Greenwich has been taken and will not be reversed. This is as arrogant and inaccurate as we have come to expect from government ministers.
In fact, a planning meeting of Greenwich council takes place tonight to consider the Olympic application. The council has the power to throw it out. And it has an absolute duty to do so as well, to make sure that future generations can enjoy this wonderful place in the condition that we have inherited it.
Dr David Starkey
It's nothing to do with closeness to London as venues being used for the Football are all over the country. I suppose a few years after the games we will get to hear of certain companies being involved in the work having certain ex-government ministers on their board of directors.And yet, almost incredibly, Greenwich faces its gravest threat since the 19th century. Then it was proposed to drive a railway through the park; now, and scarcely less vandalistically, to make it the site of the 2012 Olympics equestrian events. To do so will require the lopping and pruning of trees, the removal and replacement of thousands of tons of topsoil, countless journeys by heavy lorries and soil-moving equipment, compaction of the soil by the feet of 75,000 spectators and the closure of sections of the park to the public for up to five years.
And for what? To provide a pretty TV backdrop for a few hours of an elitist minority sport — for which, incidentally, ample facilities in an equally beautiful setting already exist as near as Windsor. It will cost a fortune. And there will be no legacy whatever, apart from the likelihood of irreparable damage to the archaeology of the site and the long-term scarring of the landscape.
Tessa Jowell, the Olympics Minister, is on record as saying that the decision to hold equestrian events at Greenwich has been taken and will not be reversed. This is as arrogant and inaccurate as we have come to expect from government ministers.
In fact, a planning meeting of Greenwich council takes place tonight to consider the Olympic application. The council has the power to throw it out. And it has an absolute duty to do so as well, to make sure that future generations can enjoy this wonderful place in the condition that we have inherited it.
Dr David Starkey
s, the lot of them.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff