Don't let Olympic legacy slip away, says Assembly

By Rob Virtue on February 19, 2010 1:44 PM |

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East London is in grave danger of missing out on a lasting legacy from the Olympics, according to a London Assembly report.

A study by the economic development, culture, sport and tourism committee into the 2012 Games says there needs to be more ambitious targets for employment and thousands of new homes made available to local people.

The report, Legacy Limited? also stresses the need for permanent uses to be found for the Olympic Stadium, Aquatic Centre and the media centre as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming white elephants.

The report highlights six areas of concern:

- Linking the park with the wider area.
- Finding consensus among the decision makers.
- Finding sustainable uses for the venues.
- Ensuring local people benefit from job opportunities.
- Ensuring housing meets local needs.
- Ensuring the Olympics improves sports participation.

Committee chairwoman Dee Doocey said: "Time is running out and we are in real danger of missing a historic opportunity to transform some of Britain's most deprived communities.

"A strong legacy of skills, housing, employment and sports participation is the only way to stop the Olympic Park becoming an island of prosperity, cut off from the surrounding community."

The cross-party committee, which is made up of elected members of the London Assembly, produced the report on Tuesday after five months of research and meetings.

Legacy Limited? also calls on the newly formed Olympic Park Legacy Company - which it criticises for having a remit that is too small - to set ambitious targets for those employed and given apprenticeships on the construction of the Olympic Park.

Currently only four per cent of the construction workforce is drawn from the unemployed in the local area.

"East London deserves a lasting legacy from the Games and I hope the Mayor and the OPLC act on these recommendations," said Ms Doocey.

Meanwhile, the OPLC said it was backing the report and its recommendations.

A spokeswoman said: "We welcome this report and the committee's ongoing commitment to work with us to create a lasting 2012 legacy.

"The development of a new metropolitan area that is integrated with its surroundings and provides employment and sporting opportunities for local people, along with securing a viable legacy use for the Olympic venues, are among the fundamental aims of the company which we are laying down in our corporate plan."