Location & Why It Can Stay
April 2nd, 2007 by admin
The map shows an arial view of Manor Garden Allotments positioned as accurately as possible relative to the ODA Masterplan as published in the planning application.
Click here or on the map to hide or show the allotments.
The Pointless Paths and Baffling Bridges
Paths F02 and F03 could be rerouted around the allotments, and the area of paths and landscaping that join them has no real function. F02 in particular would be better placed further north so that people entering the site over the L02 bridge could immediately turn right over the river to the Hockey stadium or left to the Velodrome etc.
Few pedestrians will use the area of concourse planned for the allotment site. Walking between all venues is amply catered for by the concourse and paths on the opposite side of the river past SS4, or the area in front of the BMX & Fencing venues.
Maintaining access is not that hard
Assuming the current access route via the bridge is no longer possible, an alternative route can be easily maintained throughout the construction period via the entrance gate at the north east corner, over the area labelled SS2 up to Quarter Mile Lane (labelled L02). This is only about 150 meters. There are other practical alternatives, such as a track going north alongside the River Lea to join the Loop Road by H01. There is no major building work going on in this area.
‘We will be in the middle of a huge dangerous building site’
Provided constructors follow the environmental regulations they are supposed to, this is another red herring. To the east and west we are separated from the rest of the site by rivers, to the south by the nature reserve area which is supposed to be retained, and to the north is a piece of parkland. It’s got to be possible to install a couple of footbridges and some path without major disruption. It would encourage good practice and help reduce the impact on the ecology of the area, which will be undergoing massive disturbance.
All over London people continue their lives right next to construction sites far larger than this.