Will we ever be ready - General Discussion

Caxton · 23-07-2006, 12:21

Will we ever be ready for the Olympics in 2012. With our disasterous record of having anything finished in Britain on time with the London Millenium Bridge and new Wembley Stadium instantly springing to mind, I have my doubts.

Just forgetting the stadia for a moment has anyone given a though to the extra services that will be needed to stage the event. Power, transformers, sewage treatment works and most importantly water supplies to service the thousand of extra people that will descend on the capital.

Nearly all the above services are working on, or already above their limiits at the present time, and a remedial answer to this will not be found overnight. What one must remember also that Prescott's latest idea of for more housing in that area or the alternative idea of building along the Thames will not do much to lessen the strain on services.

I have little faith in anything being finished on time or if it is finished will it work correctly

Geeg · 23-07-2006, 12:26

It's the huge bill Londoners will be picking up which is the thing I feel sorry for them over. How much is their Council tax going to increase by? £100 a month more? Which for some people will be difficult to cope with. When will the increase start? Are they holding off until nearer the time and then people will pay afterwards?

kingoftv · 23-07-2006, 12:29

I live in London- MY parents will be paying for things we as a family don't want??

swingaleg · 23-07-2006, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geeg

It's the huge bill Londoners will be picking up which is the thing I feel sorry for them over. How much is their Council tax going to increase by? £100 a month more?

..that's just silly talk, geeg...........i live in london, my Council tax now is £ 86 a month.........to pay for everything.........it's not going to more than double to pay for the Olympics..........

blueblade · 23-07-2006, 12:44

Well irrespective of the cost, it's almost guaranteed that in the time honoured British fashion, there will be some sort of delay, and a last minute rush to get everything completed on time.

Geeg · 23-07-2006, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by swingaleg

..i live in london, my Council tax now is £ 86 a month.........to pay for everything.

Is that one of the cheapest in the UK? - Oh another thread I guess.

Hathor · 23-07-2006, 13:04

I reckon it would have been best to give the Olympics a miss, and let someone else deal with the hassle. Then again, I don't personally give a crap about any sort of sport.

*Bex* · 23-07-2006, 13:06

Not judging from my commuting experience this week.

I for one am not usually a naysayer and am excited about the London Olympics. My mum lives not far from Stratford and Hubby's family are in Weymouth (where the sailing will be taking place). So in general I think it will be a good thing.

However, the infrastructure needs sorting out. Crossrail needs to get the go-ahead and LU needs a big kick in the bum. The trains need upgrading on the railway network and bigger better roads between London and Weymouth need to be built.

I'd be happy to pay for the Olympics if I lived in a Lonodn borough as it will bring so many benefits to the city and beyond but the planners need to pull their fingers out and the NIMBYs standing in the way of progress need to put down their Daily Mail's and get out of the goddamn way.

blueblade · 23-07-2006, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Bex*

Not judging from my commuting experience this week.

I for one am not usually a naysayer and am excited about the London Olympics. My mum lives not far from Stratford and Hubby's family are in Weymouth (where the sailing will be taking place). So in general I think it will be a good thing.

However, the infrastructure needs sorting out. Crossrail needs to get the go-ahead and LU needs a big kick in the bum. The trains need upgrading on the railway network and bigger better roads between London and Weymouth need to be built.

I'd be happy to pay for the Olympics if I lived in a Lonodn borough as it will bring so many benefits to the city and beyond but the planners need to pull their fingers out and the NIMBYs standing in the way of progress need to put down their Daily Mail's and get out of the goddamn way.

I'm inclined to agree. Benefits will not just be for London, but for the the entire country. A terrific boost in so many ways, not least psychologically.

First time sice 1948 ~ 64 years it will be ~ since we have hosted the games.

swingaleg · 23-07-2006, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Bex*

However, the infrastructure needs sorting out. Crossrail needs to get the go-ahead and LU needs a big kick in the bum. .

I think the whole tube network is being upgraded now regardless of the Games..........after 20/30 years of lack of investment the whole system was falling to pieces........they're finally getting round to track and signalling replacement ...........unfortunately it does mean that half the system closes down every weekend which is a pain in the arse, but I guess it's easier doing it that way than closing a whole line for months at a time to get the work done.

*Bex* · 23-07-2006, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by swingaleg

I think the whole tube network is being upgraded now regardless of the Games..........after 20/30 years of lack of investment the whole system was falling to pieces........they're finally getting round to track and signalling replacement ...........unfortunately it does mean that half the system closes down every weekend which is a pain in the arse, but I guess it's easier doing it that way than closing a whole line for months at a time to get the work done.

You're quite right, althoug I'd be inclined to say I could put up with an enforced closure for say 6 or 8 months if it guarantee getting the job done. That said - I have options for which tube I get though some are considerably more convenient than others... but I suppose some people would be pretty stuck in some places.

At the end of the day, no one will be happy but some how the work needs to be done and they need to find the way of doing which inconveniences the least number of people for the shortest possible time. Any one with any suggestions get on line to LU - I'm sure they'd pay through the nose for something that solved all these problems

23-07-2006, 12:21	#1
Caxton Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: ♂ Services: Sky+ and 2mb Broadband. Digital Terrestrial Posts: 12,496	Will we ever be ready Will we ever be ready for the Olympics in 2012. With our disasterous record of having anything finished in Britain on time with the London Millenium Bridge and new Wembley Stadium instantly springing to mind, I have my doubts. Just forgetting the stadia for a moment has anyone given a though to the extra services that will be needed to stage the event. Power, transformers, sewage treatment works and most importantly water supplies to service the thousand of extra people that will descend on the capital. Nearly all the above services are working on, or already above their limiits at the present time, and a remedial answer to this will not be found overnight. What one must remember also that Prescott's latest idea of for more housing in that area or the alternative idea of building along the Thames will not do much to lessen the strain on services. I have little faith in anything being finished on time or if it is finished will it work correctly

23-07-2006, 12:26	#2
Geeg Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Here, There and Everywhere Posts: 18,344	It's the huge bill Londoners will be picking up which is the thing I feel sorry for them over. How much is their Council tax going to increase by? £100 a month more? Which for some people will be difficult to cope with. When will the increase start? Are they holding off until nearer the time and then people will pay afterwards?

23-07-2006, 12:29	#3
kingoftv Banned User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London Services: Freeveiw Posts: 3,583	I live in London- MY parents will be paying for things we as a family don't want??

23-07-2006, 12:44	#5
blueblade Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Gender: Male Location: Chelmsford, Essex Services: Sky HD, VM broadband Posts: 37,386	Well irrespective of the cost, it's almost guaranteed that in the time honoured British fashion, there will be some sort of delay, and a last minute rush to get everything completed on time.

23-07-2006, 13:04	#7
Hathor Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Babylon and Ting Services: I reject your reality, and substitute my own! Posts: 8,957	I reckon it would have been best to give the Olympics a miss, and let someone else deal with the hassle. Then again, I don't personally give a crap about any sort of sport.

23-07-2006, 13:06	#8
Bex Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,977	Not judging from my commuting experience this week. I for one am not usually a naysayer and am excited about the London Olympics. My mum lives not far from Stratford and Hubby's family are in Weymouth (where the sailing will be taking place). So in general I think it will be a good thing. However, the infrastructure needs sorting out. Crossrail needs to get the go-ahead and LU needs a big kick in the bum. The trains need upgrading on the railway network and bigger better roads between London and Weymouth need to be built. I'd be happy to pay for the Olympics if I lived in a Lonodn borough as it will bring so many benefits to the city and beyond but the planners need to pull their fingers out and the NIMBYs standing in the way of progress need to put down their Daily Mail's and get out of the goddamn way.