The Olympics

[Osem]

Originally Posted by martyh

Just got back from a long run down to Woolwich dropping a load of bespoke timber off to a new Weatherspoons (the one that burnt in the riots) and had a chance to see the new Olympic stadiums ,it all looks very impressive ,shame about the surrounding area though
One question though ,whats that big curly whirly metal tower ?

Well that was a big part of the rationale behind having the event in that location. It's transforming the immediate area and the regeneration will spread in time. It's fair to say, though, that when the games were being bid for nobody had a clue what sort of financial chaos was in the offing.

Glad you're enjoying the job BTW.

Originally Posted by Osem

Well that was a big part of the rationale behind having the event in that location. It's transforming the immediate area and the regeneration will spread in time. It's fair to say, though, that when the games were being bid for nobody had a clue what sort of financial chaos was in the offing.

Glad you're enjoying the job BTW.

Lets hope that area does get some regeneration then because it would be sad that the only legacy left from the Olympics are a load of stadiums and big financial hole .There does seem to be quite a lot of building going on around that area though especially in Woolwich itself ,a good sign is the number of cranes that can be seen not on the Olympic site itself but surrounding areas

Stratford is doing quite well. The transport improvements were needed more than the homes, everywhere in London that has room will have a housing development on it at the moment.

[Derek]

It could go with a bang if G4S have anything to do with it.

HUNDREDS of sniffer dog searches for explosives at the Olympic Park were NEVER carried out in a major security scandal

The operation was meant to stop terrorists smuggling a bomb into the site in a vehicle and setting it to detonate on a long-term timer.

But security firm G4S “ghosted” the searches of traffic entering the park in Stratford, East London, for THREE years.

The alleged deception may have been carried out to avoid a £500 fine imposed by Olympic organisers Locog for every shift G4S could not cover.

The firm — whose Games security contract is worth £284million — is also said to have used dogs trained only to detect drugs because of a lack of animals able to sniff out explosives.

Well done G4S, in addition to making a mess of the security vetting for games helpers and officials, binning a whistleblower and failing to perform searches on workers and vans entering the compound you've now lied about it to scam money from the government.

[Tim Deegan]

Originally Posted by Derek

It could go with a bang if G4S have anything to do with it.



Well done G4S, in addition to making a mess of the security vetting for games helpers and officials, binning a whistleblower and failing to perform searches on workers and vans entering the compound you've now lied about it to scam money from the government.

I don't really think anyone expected G4S to do a proper job. That's why it will be the police who carry out a thorough search prior to the games opening.

As I'm sure you know Derek, there is a lot more security going on behind the scenes than most people realise.

It would have been nice to go and see at least one event, but it wasn't to be. So if you do see me there, then thets just say, 'it's time to leave'.

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

I don't really think anyone expected G4S to do a proper job. That's why it will be the police who carry out a thorough search prior to the games opening.

As I'm sure you know Derek, there is a lot more security going on behind the scenes than most people realise.

It would have been nice to go and see at least one event, but it wasn't to be. So if you do see me there, then thets just say, 'it's time to leave'.

I am .

[Derek]

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

I don't really think anyone expected G4S to do a proper job. That's why it will be the police who carry out a thorough search prior to the games opening.

I did, the Olympic organisers did and the public who are paying for them did as well. I'm not surprised they messed up but shocked they would lie about it as blatantly as they appear to have done.

With the government going full speed into partial privitisation of Policing and G4S being the main driving force behind it things do not bode well if they've failed and tried to cover it up at the first hurdle.

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

As I'm sure you know Derek, there is a lot more security going on behind the scenes than most people realise.

I'm very aware the security operation isn't just a couple of cops standing at the corner of the street in a high viz.

[Tim Deegan]

Originally Posted by Derek

I did, the Olympic organisers did and the public who are paying for them did as well. I'm not surprised they messed up but shocked they would lie about it as blatantly as they appear to have done.

With the government going full speed into partial privitisation of Policing and G4S being the main driving force behind it things do not bode well if they've failed and tried to cover it up at the first hurdle.



I'm very aware the security operation isn't just a couple of cops standing at the corner of the street in a high viz.

G4S don't exactly have a good track record. Remember prisoners escaping when they first started transporting them?

[Dai]

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

G4S don't exactly have a good track record. Remember prisoners escaping when they first started transporting them?

Indeed. And now they're running the custody suite and prisoner transport in Lincolnshire as well as vehicle maintenance and preparation. Expect shortly to see cops on bicycles chasing escapees..

Talking to another driver yesterday and he said his company along with most other courier companies have been given a 38 page directive from some official body saying that during the Olympic period all deliveries into London will only be allowed into London between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 am ,anybody missing that slot will have to park up and wait for the next delivery period ,so be warned it's going to be chaos

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

I am still waiting for my tickets to come through for the main event as such. My Orbit tickets for the same day have come through. Should I be calling them up?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Saaf_laandon_mo

I am still waiting for my tickets to come through for the main event as such. My Orbit tickets for the same day have come through. Should I be calling them up?

We received our tickets yesterday. My wife got a text yesterday morning to inform us they would be delivered on the day. Then she got a text saying they had been delivered. Which they hadn't. Then yesterday evening my postie neighbour knocked on our door to deliver the tickets. So, I think him taking possession triggered the 'delivered' text. It all seemed pretty slick. I'd say give it a couple of days before ringing them.

[Osem]

Ben Parkinson, a Paratrooper who was injured in Afghanistan in 2006 and lost both legs below the knee, has walked with the torch through Doncaster.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18579631

Well done that man and all the other like him who're facing such huge challenges!!!



---------- Post added at 14:02 ---------- Previous post was at 14:00 ----------

Originally Posted by martyh

Talking to another driver yesterday and he said his company along with most other courier companies have been given a 38 page directive from some official body saying that during the Olympic period all deliveries into London will only be allowed into London between the hours of 12 midnight and 5 am ,anybody missing that slot will have to park up and wait for the next delivery period ,so be warned it's going to be chaos

Nah, it'll be business as usual and everyone knows the M25 is the biggest car park in Europe lol

[Saaf_laandon_mo]

Originally Posted by danielf

We received our tickets yesterday. My wife got a text yesterday morning to inform us they would be delivered on the day. Then she got a text saying they had been delivered. Which they hadn't. Then yesterday evening my postie neighbour knocked on our door to deliver the tickets. So, I think him taking possession triggered the 'delivered' text. It all seemed pretty slick. I'd say give it a couple of days before ringing them.

oh no - I've changed my mobile since placing the order! My Orbit ones were just put through the post (albeit in a Timed Delivery envelope), we didn't have to sign for them. I was expecting the same here. I might go online and see if I can amend my number.

What are you going to Daniel?

Originally Posted by Osem

Nah, it'll be business as usual and everyone knows the M25 is the biggest car park in Europe lol

I will be because that's where the lorries will park when they are refused entry into London