Bangkok--Sep 30--eTurbo news
LONDON (eTurboNews) -- London tourism and travel facilities will benefit from its Olympic bid, even if it is not selected to host the Games in 2012, according to the mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. London's proposal, which runs to 600 pages, has been delivered to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausane, Switzerland and includes ambitious plans to upgrade rail links and some London landmarks.
The development of Wembley Stadium, most famous for the soccer Cup Final and World Cup matches, is on schedule for completion in time for the Olympic Games, and a large area of London's East End is to be redeveloped with parks, sport facilities and hotels in preparation for 2012. Venues such as the Wimbledon tennis complex and Lord's cricket ground having been earmarked for various events. Horse Guards Parade, a prominent tourist attraction, will be the site of Beach Volley Ball competitions if the Olympics go ahead in London.
In June, the International Olympic Committee expressed some concern about the number of events that were penciled in for venues outside central London, and questioned whether transport facilities were adequate. This issue was taken to heart by the Back The Bid planners and the UK government, and spurred the authorities into bringing forward decisions to improve transport infrastructure in and around London.
Every area where a Games venue is located is accessible by train and ten routes will serve the main Olympic Park being built in east London with a train every 15 seconds, as well as immediate access to a new high-speed rail link to the Channel Tunnel.
Mayor Livingstone last week also pledged to deliver the ?900 million (US$1.6 billion) extension of the East London rail line to Dalston, Croydon and Crystal Place by the end of the decade. Responsibility for the project was officially transferred to the mayor's transport authority, Transport for London, and forms a key part of a five-year investment program. It will help underpin London's bid to host the Olympic Games in 2012 and boost economic development in north east, south east and south London. The East London line will run a 'metro' service with trains running at Tube-style frequency.
Speaking at Canary Wharf station, Ken Livingstone said: "Following our ground-breaking deal with the Government this summer, we are now in a position to get on and build this vital extension. It will be London's first purpose-built metro rail service providing a vital north-south link and triggering up to ?10 (US$18) billion worth of economic development in some of London's most deprived boroughs.
"The decision will be a big boost for everyone in north east and south London who have campaigned for this vital project. It will be completed by 2010 and will powerfully boost transport capacity for the Olympic Games."
Docklands Light Railway, the capital's fastest expanding railway, is set to play a key transport role in the 2012 Olympics if London's bid is successful. To demonstrate its support, and to help publicize the bid, DLR has painted a train in the colorful London 2012 livery. The train will be in service at least until July 2005 and was launched at a London 2012 banner-clad Canary Wharf station.
DLR's routes serve all the proposed Olympic venues in east London and south of the River Thames at Greenwich. The railway also has approved projects that will increase capacity and provide fast and reliable services between the City, Stratford, including a new Channel Tunnel Rail Link station, and London City Airport.
Investment worth ?1 billion ($1.8 billion) has been committed to improving the London Underground (subway) and the high-speed Channel Tunnel Rail link extension to north London will up in operation by 2007, well in time for the Olympics.
The London mayor pointed out these developments as examples of permanent benefits for London, which will go ahead even if London fails in its Olympic bid. London faces strong competition for the 2012 Games from New York, Paris, Madrid and Moscow.
"Britain is a festival waiting to happen. People dance in the streets at every opportunity," said Mayor Livingstone in a speech to publicize London's Olympic bid.
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