London 2012

Spent the day in the big city being shown the sites where Olympic construction will occur.

Here is a residence that will be cleared for the Olympic construction. I think it is called Clay, I was taking this picture when I should have been listening. It is a cooperative. To give an example 5 residents just bought a washing machine together and built a little shed to put it in, they share the use (and the cost). They look after each other and help each other out, they also come from all walks of life. This is not typical London living and is a rather nice if you ask me.

The point is that they were built around about the 70's and everything is and has been fine. There is also a nice cycle route around the area. This has recently been closed and the area deemed to contain dangerous substances. The hill the photo was taken from is made up of rubble etc. from when the city was bombed during WWII. Last week there were even men out in full chemical warfare gear mentioning the possibility of radioactive substances?

I'm not forming any conclusion *cough*. You can make your own.


On a similar note, and a bit more positive, just about all of the 380 or so businesses in the Lower Lea Valley area of Olympic construction have sorted their moves away from the area. Including a factory that packs salmon. They managed to negotiate 3 times the market value of the business (compulsory purchase is normally market value + 10% + a little for relocation). They moved about 400 yards just over the border of the construction area and fitted out new premises.

I think the expression is "Job done!"

Daz.

some more shots from today
here