Prepare for Olympic fat cats

Published: 19 November, 2010

• YOUR story about the Olympic plans for Bloomsbury (November 12) refers to “a bid to make Bloomsbury the centre for more than 5,000 journalists due in London for 2012” and a wish to close off sections of road “if it gets planning permission”.

This terminology is misleading; and this misinformation, the fault of the Olympics organisers, has been bolstered by the local “consultation” process.

The implication of the PR effort is that those in the area have a proposal before us which we could reject. 

In fact, many of the plans are already fixed and the Olympic bosses have the legal right to override the views of local people and council. A chunk of Bloomsbury will be subject to IOC diktats for up to two months in 2012. 

The plans involve fanatically detailed changes to traffic regulations including, on some roads, restrictions on bicycles and even on pedestrians, not just banning motor vehicles; there will also be bus stops and pedestrian crossings removed. 

This is to allow round-the-clock shuttle bus journeys to take journalists from their lodgings to the venues (nearly all of which have excellent public transport connections with central London).

Lengthy stretches of some of the busiest roads in central London will have cars and lorries diverted into the bus and bike lanes so other lanes can be kept clear for “the Olympic Family”, which includes not just corrupt officials but also fat cats from those sporty and health-giving Olympic-sponsoring corporations like McDonald’s and Pepsico. 

If the IOC want to trample on Londoners like an occupying power, they shouldn’t be surprised if many of us choose to resist. 

Or maybe the budget includes a provision for thousands of extra prison cells for the duration?

ALBERT BEALE
Little Russell Street, WC1

• ONE of the most exciting events to hit the area for the 2012 Olympics is playing host to thousands of journalists stationed at Russell Square. 

We shall be supporting the 2012 choice and hope the planning application will be successful benefiting the business and community. 

NICK RIACON
Chairman, Friends of Russell Square