The BBC reports that narrow boats and other vessels have been cruising along east London waterways in a floating protest against London’s bid for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. The river users say planned development along the banks of the River Lea will result in the loss of common land and destroy recreational activities.
Saturday, protesters on the waterways said building on the river will disrupt flood relieve systems, threaten wildlife habitats and lead to more than 500 mature trees being felled.
A spokesperson for London 2012 told BBC News the bid was supported by the London Wildlife Trust and British Waterways, and the Games would bring 26 per cent more open space to the area.
“This area has been neglected for a long time. The area’s going to be at the heart of the bid”, she said, adding that the rivers, which are now polluted, would be cleaned up and access to the river would be improved by land bridges.
Meanwhile, Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has told campaigners opposed to London’s 2012 bid that any attempt to sabotage the project would “ruin the dreams” of the vast majority of Britons.
The Independent reports that Jowell said protesters had a duty not to disrupt a crucial visit to London next week by International Olympic Committee (IOC) inspectors.
“I say to those with an axe to grind, don’t spoil it for the vast majority of people in this country who want the Olympics”. According to the Independent, Jowell was referring to nolondon2012, a group of environmental activists and anti-globalization campaigners threatening direct action during the four-day visit by the IOC evaluation commission.
The inspection team will be in London February 16-19.
