Box Hill - 2012 Olympics

[ufkacbln]

Once again it is more about the money and profit than any real interest in the sport, or the spectators comfort or ability to actually see anything!

Even worse than the cynical overcrowding is the "The London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Advertising and Trading) (England) Regulations 2011"

What will be interesting is if they will enforce this ban on wearing "advertising attire" where there is a ban on any clothing that has the logo or details of any non-sponsor. In and around the London venues there are restrictions on what you can wear between 23 July to 13 August (for the Olympic Games), and then from 28 August to 9 September (for the Paralympic Games).

It even applies to locals who live there and are being issued guidance as to what they can and cannot wear!

Turn up on a bike or wearing a jersey that is not "acceptable" and you may be turned away or asked to remove it.

 

[ufkacbln]

You could, but not on Box Hill. And the roads will be shut from around 6 a.m., including for bikes, so no chance of riding up either. It's not like "any other road race". Ever been to a Worlds RR? Pay to get in - no discussion!

In Weymouth there is a park that overlooks the Harbour and is public. It was closed for "Health and Safety reasons" in case it became overcrowded and the area is unsuitable for crowds.

Except the ones that have now paid through the nose for tickets to access this public area.

 

[Red Light]

I still can't find out where you can buy these tickets.

 

[PK99]

Once again it is more about the money and profit than any real interest in the sport, or the spectators comfort or ability to actually see anything!

t.

Is it?

from cycling weekly

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The restrictions stem from Box Hill's status as a protected SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). A new species of butterfly was recently discovered, meaning there will be one restricted area, according to LOCOG spokesperson Emma Pickles.​

The protection of orchids has also been cited, by Natural England, the government's adviser on the natural environment, as a reason for the limitation.​

Yet it has emerged that LOCOG failed to contact these interested parties before planning the route. Surrey County Council indicated that it was only involved late in the process.​

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from RCUK​

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“Box Hill is one of the most important nature conservation sites in Europe,” a National Trust spokesman told RoadCyclingUK.
“It is home to a huge variety of wildlife including a number or rare and protected species. We are working very closely with Locog and Natural England to ensure the sensitive habitat of Box Hill is protected during Games time.
“We know that the banks of Zig Zag Road are highly sensitive areas and therefore it is likely there will be limited spectator numbers along this section of the race.”

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[Red Light]

For the test event they invited people with local post codes to apply for them. I does seem unlikely that they will be free for the Olympics though.

So the good news is they are opening Box Hill up to more spectators. The bad news is the tickets are not available to the public, just privileged groups. Or so it would seem

 

[ufkacbln]

Is it?

from cycling weekly

​

The restrictions stem from Box Hill's status as a protected SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). A new species of butterfly was recently discovered, meaning there will be one restricted area, according to LOCOG spokesperson Emma Pickles.​

The protection of orchids has also been cited, by Natural England, the government's adviser on the natural environment, as a reason for the limitation.​

Yet it has emerged that LOCOG failed to contact these interested parties before planning the route. Surrey County Council indicated that it was only involved late in the process.​

​

​

from RCUK​

​

“Box Hill is one of the most important nature conservation sites in Europe,” a National Trust spokesman told RoadCyclingUK. ​

“It is home to a huge variety of wildlife including a number or rare and protected species. We are working very closely with Locog and Natural England to ensure the sensitive habitat of Box Hill is protected during Games time.​

“We know that the banks of Zig Zag Road are highly sensitive areas and therefore it is likely there will be limited spectator numbers along this section of the race.”​

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So increasing the people from 3,500 to 15,000 is an attempt to limit the damage to the sensitive local environment?

In particular I have emphasised part of "justification" in the the RCUK quotetion

Limiting the numbers of people tramping over an SSSI makes sense, and I would have no problem with that whatsoever.

Equally I would have no problem with the owners of the sites charging their usual (or even an event) fee for using their facilities.

But, do we really believe that the extra 11,500 is in the interests of the SSSI as opposed to the quarter of a million pounds (minimum) in additional revenue?

.. and even more corrupt if the reason for the immeasurable additional environmental damage is simply cronyism!

 

[ufkacbln]

Slightly OT... which brings us to the 'corporate" tickets.

Why the massive increase in support for "Beach Volleyball" amongst the VIPs and glitterati?

For some reason ticket demand amongst corporate for this particular sport is disproportionately high in the ticket requests, and a snip at £4,500 per head for the package!

 

[benb]

You could, but not on Box Hill. And the roads will be shut from around 6 a.m., including for bikes, so no chance of riding up either. It's not like "any other road race". Ever been to a Worlds RR? Pay to get in - no discussion!

Is that true? On the Surrey Classic, which I understood to be a dress rehearsal, you could cycle on the route until 9:30.