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British Cycling president calls on Olympic organisers to provide free access to Box HillBox Hill Olympic Test Event © National Trust : David Levenson

British Cycling president calls on Olympic organisers to provide free access to Box Hill

Appeal comes as Games organisers unveil plans for big screens in Olympic Park and eslewhere in London
by Simon_MacMichael
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 12:46
6

The president of British Cycling has called on Olympic Games organisers LOCOG to rethink proposals to charge spectators to watch this summer’s Olympic road races on Box Hill. The news comes as plans are unveiled to let those without tickets for Olympic venues watch events on giant screens within the Olympic Park as well as other locations in the capital.

As reported here on road.cc last week, LOCOG is considering charging the 15,000 people who will be allowed onto the restricted section of Box Hill, which is owned by the National Trust.

The section of the route in question features the climb of Zig-Zag Road which will be tackled nine times in the men's road race and twice in the women's race.

British Cycling president Brian Cookson told The Daily Telegraph: “It would be absolutely better if it was free of charge because cycling is a sport that is traditionally free to watch.

"I do appreciate the difficult environmental issues that have to be resolved in the sensitive environment of Box Hill, and you can't have an unrestricted free-for-all like the Tour de France,” he acknowledged.

“But while the numbers have to be managed, it would be absolutely better if it was free of charge."

However, LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton has said he believes it is “perfectly appropriate... to consider charging for the tickets," adding that the mechanics of ticketing, including their cost, were still being worked upon.

LOCOG is also finalising plans to allow public access to the Olympic Park during the Games, although again there will be a restriction on numbers and there is likely to be a cost involved, reports the BBC.

Once inside, spectators will be able to watch events on giant screens, the biggest of which will be double-sided and installed on a barge on the River Lea.

Hyde Park in Central London and Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets will also house big screens, with free entry – other than to watch the opening and closing ceremonies in Hyde Park – although at both venues, spectator numbers will be restricted.
 

London 2012
LOCOG
British Cycling
Box Hill
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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6 comments

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WolfieSmith | 12 years ago
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I do wonder about the logic of ticketing a roadside event. Surely they will have to spend a wedge of the potential ticket money revenue on a fence around Box Hill with some Hi Vis numpties on the gate to stop those without tickets getting a view and trampling the orchids/butterflies/owls/newts/ etc ( delete where applicable) ?

I intend to see the race at the start/finish line with a TV break in the pub in between. Taking the 'logic' of ticketing a country road further are LOCOG going to try and charge everyone in the Mall and the route in from Box Hill? They'll need every Jobsworth in the UK bussed in. 39

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Mostyn | 12 years ago
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Oop's another about turn by LOCOG - Viewing screens strategically positioned; But, Numbers restricted! Box Hill = Pay to view, supposedly because it's National Trust Land; and again numbers restricted - but with a ££££Price to pay. Extra Police to stop you getting anywhere along the race route for the Olympic Road Races; or should that be Olympic Road Farces? Money-money and more money is all they're concerned with!

Paul Deighton said "It is perfectly Appropriate to charge for tickets" seems money is the main interest as far as LOCOG is concerned!

Road racing on bicycles should be free to view along any highway in the UK. As for controling the numbers of spectators? Well, providing the roads are closed or cordened off an hour or two before the races should be sufficient crowd control.

Only in the UK could this happen to an open to view Olympic event. It will certainly take the GREAT out of Britain.

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Liam Cahill | 12 years ago
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This is awful. The reason why races in normal cycling, both cross and road, is because of the the spectators. Fleche-wallone and the aples would be nothing if it wasn't for the noise and colour of places such as dutch corner. Mostly it will only be cyclists watching on the roadside so why not let us make it a spectical? Think about it LOCOG, are any of you sports people? On this evidence, you definately aren't cycling fans.

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monty dog | 12 years ago
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Does anyone really believe that the Olympics is being arranged for anyone but the self-serving purpose of a few? We've given them billions and they hide behind a veil of indifference, obstructing any attempts at transparency.

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BigDummy | 12 years ago
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The people organising this thing really must think their budget is actually fragrantly farted into existence by tiny little benevolent money-farting pixies!

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step-hent replied to BigDummy | 12 years ago
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BigDummy wrote:

...tiny little benevolent money-farting pixies!

Awesome concept - we could all do with a few of those!

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