Olympic Park plans unveiled

PLANS to transform the Olympic site in East London into the largest urban park created in the UK for a hundred years were unveiled today.

PLANS to transform the Olympic site in East London into the largest urban park created in the UK for a hundred years were unveiled today.

Work is underway to create 250 acres of permanent parkland on old industrial land featuring over 4,000 trees and 300,000 wetland pants in time for the 2012 Games.

Hanging gardens will be created thirty foot above ground on the footbridge from Stratford City welcoming people over the main walking entrance into �200 million environmental project.

After the games a tree-lined 'park road' into the north of the Park will be modeled on The Mall and Birdcage Walk next to St James' and Hyde Park with distinctively designed surfacing, lighting and bollards leading visitors into the park. Temporary wildflower meadows, trees avenues and hedges on plots awaiting development will also be created after the Games.

The southern part of the Park will focus on retaining the Games spirit with riverside gardens and areas for markets, events, cafes and bars.

The northern area of the Park will use the latest green techniques to manage flood and rain water while providing quieter public space and habitats for hundreds of existing and rare species from kingfishers to otters.

The plans by the Olympic Delivery Authority, which will be funded out of the �9.3 billion Olympic budget, followed public consultation. For further information or to comment on the plans visit www.london2012.com/planning or the View Tube on the Greenway http://www.leasideregeneration.com/the-view-tube/