Friday, July 30, 2010

“'Games Lanes' to cut through traffic” plus 2 more

“'Games Lanes' to cut through traffic” plus 2 more

'Games Lanes' to cut through traffic

Posted: 30 Jul 2010 02:05 AM PDT

Congested capital might not welcome special Games Lanes set aside for athletes, officials and 'marketing partners'

Olympic Park The London 2012 Olympic Park. Photograph: David Levene

The nation's collective, unquestioning enthusiasm for London 2012 could be dampened, with the announcement today of the key traffic lanes that will only be accessible to Olympic traffic.

The so-called "Games Lanes", which will run along more than 60 miles of London's roads, will only be accessible to vehicles from the Olympic family – which includes coaches carrying athletes and officials, but also "marketing partners" – and are designed to enable swift and safe transport between accommodation and venues.

The lanes form part of the Olympic Route Network, announced today by the Olympic Delivery Authority – the public body responsible for developing and building venues and infrastructure for the Games.

The ODA stresses that other recent games, including Beijing, Athens and Sydney have all used Games Lanes, but the news that some of London's traffic lanes will be off-limits to normal drivers for weeks is likely to provide further fuel for those already beginning to question the value of hosting the Olympics.

Tuesday marked two years until the start of the 2012 Games and several of the responses on guardian.co.uk suggested not all were overwhelmed.

"What a waste of time and money – invest in schools, instead of this pantomime," opined jobytug, in a comment that was recommended by 81 other readers.

He added: "This is a jingoistic playtime for kids who never grew up."

Now the revelation that 25,000 marketing partners –"whose funding and support is essential to the running of the Games," the ODA said in a statement – will be among those authorised to use the Games Lanes could leave another bitter taste.

(I should also state here that 28,000 journalists will also be among the users, along with 18,000 athletes and 11,000 officials).

The Games Lanes scythe across central London [pdf map] from east to west and vice versa. The transport minister, Theresa Villiers, admitted Londoners' daily journeys could be affected.

"Plans for the Olympic Route Network are an important part of ensuring the Games are a success," she said.

"Experience in other host cities clearly shows how vital this network is for enabling the world's greatest athletes to get where they need to be.

"There's no doubt that the Olympics will have an impact on many of the daily journeys made by Londoners, but the government, the mayor and London 2012 are working hard to ensure we keep the capital moving."

The ORN will cover more than 100 miles of London roads, and a further 171 miles outside the side road closures, banned turns, changes to traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, adjustments to bus and coach stops and the temporary suspension of bus stops (on the plus side, roads in the ORN will be free from roadworks).

You can view maps of the network on the official London 2012 website.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Kids Day is Saturday at Lanesboro Farmers Market

Posted: 30 Jul 2010 07:17 AM PDT

7/30/2010 8:13:40 AM

By Laura Horihan
The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN

LANESBORO —The seventh annual Kids Day at the Lanesboro Farmers Market will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday in Sylvan Park.

This year's theme will be "Down on the Farm," and children will be able to pet baby farm animals.

Activities include pony rides, games and prizes, Nanny Giggles the Clown, a honey bee display and demonstrations.

Children will be able to make their own flower bouquets and enjoy free samples at the market.

For more information, call Jerilyn Eddy at (507) 467-2358.

Laura Horihan covers news in Olmsted, Fillmore, Dodge and Houston counties. She can be reached at (507) 285-7619.


Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Kids learned to play like a Gem

Posted: 29 Jul 2010 09:13 AM PDT

Read more: Local, News, Community, Kids Day at the Ball Park, Baseball Players, Quincy Gems Basball, Kids

QUINCY, ILL. -- Area kids enjoyed a day at the ball park with Quincy Gems Baseball players Thursday.

The Bank of Quincy along with the Gems hosted Kids Day at the ball park.

More then 500 kids attend this year event

Food, games, face painting and the bounce tent all rounded out a day of activities.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
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