The Ramblers


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London 2012 Olympic Games

The decision to award London with the privilege of hosting the Olympic Games in 2012 was greeted with enthusiasm in many quarters, especially as the project was seen as a great regeneration opportunity for east London. The response from the walking community was more muted, with questions raised about the impact on walking opportunities in the areas concerned. Some of these concerns chimed with other issues raised by local communities, businesses and conservation groups. Some romantics even mourn the loss of the much neglected landscape, which had a wild feel to it.

This page details the effects, good and bad, temporary and longer term, of the 2012 Olympics on the area's walking routes and the wider walking community.


Walk the Olympic Park Walk the Olympic Park Walk the Olympic Park
"Walk the Olympic Park"

Viewing the Olympic Site

The best place to view the construction of the Olympic Site is the View Tube on The Greenway, which offers a viewing platform to watch the Olympic Park being built, as well as a cafe and education facilities.

Additionally, tours of the Olympic Site are available from the London 2012 organisers. If you would like to go on a tour of the Olympic Park call the booking line on 0300 2012 001 (9am-5pm, Monday to Friday).

Current Footpath Closures

  • From 2nd July 2007 all footpaths, towpaths and cycleways within the Olympic Park boundary have been closed with the exception of the Greenway and the Lea Navigation. The Olympic Development Agency (ODA) aims to keep these two paths (along which the Capital Ring and the Lea Valley Walk run) available, as far as possible, for pedestrians and cyclist during the construction period. In addition, many of the roads in the area closed and the 276 bus route diverted. For further information, including a detailed map, of these closures download the latest notice from the ODA.
  • A major diversion of the Greenway is in place in the area of Pudding Mill Lane. This is actually for work on the Crossrail project rather than for the Games, to raise the level of Marshgate Lane to accommodate Crossrail. The diversion, which is expected to be in place until late 2013 (temporarily re-opening during the Games), is fully signposted and involves following Pudding Mill Lane all the way down to Stratford High Street, then turning north-east along the High Street to pick up the Greenway again. More details, can be found in this Crossrail information sheet and a map showing the diversion route in this ODA pamphlet.
  • A section of Temple Mills Lane to the north of the Olympic Park has been closed to pedestrians and cyclists by the local councils for safety reasons while it is being used by large construction vehicles travelling to the Olympic developments. Additionally, from 30th January 2011 until Spring 2013 Temple Mills Lane will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians between the bus depot and the Leyton Road junction. During this closure the road will be raised to align it with the new Athletes' Village development and associated new playing fields. The road will be improved through the redesign of junctions and will include shared walking and cycling paths. An alternative route via High Road Leyton and Ruckholt Road is available. This detour adds about 400m to the journey.
  • Manor Road access to the Greenway is closed from 23rd August till late December 2010 in order to allow construction of a staircase and ramp. Pedestrians and cyclists are diverted via Abbey Road and Canning Road to an alternative access point. Diversion route signs should be in place. A map showing the closure can be found in this ODA pamphlet.

For further news about preparation of the Olympic Park and its effect on walking routes see the 'Walking and cycling' section of the London 2012 website, or phone the 2012 Games Construction Hotline on 08000 722 110.

Long Term Effects

Talking to local activists and searching the internet gives a mixed picture, and many decisions relating to what land needs to be utilised in the building process are still being argued over. Arguments about the football pitches and the potential loss of other amenities around Hackney Marshes abound. And what about the Dome? Will increased security see the riverside path closed, thus forcing Thames Path walkers to return to the old route, which means crossing the busy road leading up to the Blackwall Tunnels?

Current information suggests established paths such as the Capital Ring and Lea Valley Walk should not be affected, but this appears to be subject to a proviso that paths might need to be closed during the building phase, and for the duration of the Games. In reality, it's hard to see how major disruptions can be avoided. In effect, the Olympic Park location in east London will almost certainly be one huge building site with reduced access for many years to come.

The Ramblers has joined with other walking and cycling organisations to form the Olympic Active Travel Advisory Group (OATAG), which is recognised by the Olympic Delivery Agency (ODA), the public body set up by the government to deliver the Olympic venues and infrastructure. The OATAG's aims are "to assist the ODA in the provision of world-class facilities for walking and cycling in connection with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the legacy, by providing expert advice on policies and programmes, identifying work streams and disseminating recommendations... [It] acts as the main focal point for walking and cycling stakeholder groups to interact with the Olympic transport programme".

Building of the Olympic Village started in 2007. The London 2012 Organising Committee intend to keep the Greenway and the Lea Navigation Eastern Towpath (see photos above) open for pedestrian and cycle access through the area. However, most other paths will be closed for long durations. See above for planned footpath closures.

The Olympic bid included a commitment to an Active Spectator Programme, promoting walking and cycling in connection with the Games. As well as providing alternative "transport" for spectators to the Games, the plan is also to promote active travel to local residents, event workers and volunteers, athletes, and visitors attracted to London by the Games. Encouraging all to walk and cycle as part of more active lifestyles. For more on the plans for improving the walking and cycling routes in the area see the Walking and Cycling page of the London 2012 website.

Plans for the long term regeneration of the area in and around the Olympic Park have been unveiled. This was a process first started for the Lower Lea Valley several years ago but the success of the Olympic bid and the bid's plans for leaving a legacy after the Games has accelerated this process. The Olympic Park Legacy Company is the not-for-profit organisation responsible for the long-term planning, development, management and maintenance of the Olympic Park and its facilities after the London 2012 Games.

The ODA publishes regular updates of its plans for walking and cycling routes to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues through its Pace newsletter.

The Ramblers sees the Olympics as a great opportunity to promote walking and will be using its influence not only to promoting walking, but also to reduce the negative impacts of the Games by trying to minimise the environmental impact and ensure funds are allocated to the regeneration of the natural area once the Games are over. The plans for the post-Games building work in the Park look very promising and should provide better walking links between Bow, Hackney, Leyton and Stratford.

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