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Subscribe to RSSThe transport link between two Olympic venues that might not be ready for the Games. ITN's Simon Harris reports.
The world's most expensive cable car is undergoing tests in London – but authorities admit the project, which links two Olympic venues, may not open in time for this summer's Games.
The 1,000-yard gondola lift line crosses the River Thames in east London and is planned to be both a commuter route and a tourist attraction.
It has been enthusiastically backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson, but opponents point out the scheme will use public money despite a huge $57 million sponsorship deal with Dubai-based Emirates Airlines which means the facility will be officially known as the Emirates Air Line.
PhotoBlog: London's new Thames cable car in place - but will it be ready for the Olympics?
It will cost up to $95 million in total, with around $20 million coming from local public funds.
Transit authority Transport for London (TfL), which will operate the cable car, will only say the project will be open "in the summer," raising the prospect that it will not be ready in time for the London 2012 Games in July. TfL insists the route was never part of the Olympic transport plan.
Two 300ft-high pillars will carry more than 30 gondolas across the river from the O2 – the Greenwich concert venue that will host events including the gymnastics and basketball finals – to the Docklands-based ExCel conference center which is being used for boxing, fencing, judo, taekwondo, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
The cost of a journey on the Emirates Air Line has not yet been set, but TfL says it will be similar to the frequent Thames River Boat service whose fares are around $8. Passengers will be able to pay with Oyster cards, the pre-payment "smart card" used by millions of Londoners.
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A diverse community in East London will welcome the world to Britain for the 2012 Olympic Games. Meet residents and hear how they feel about having a huge, world stage in their backyard.
Although the cost will be significantly higher than the equivalent bus or subway journey, the views from the 10-person gondolas traveling 160 feet above the ground are undoubtedly more appealing.
TfL says the system will move 2,000 passengers an hour -- the equivalent capacity of more than 30 buses.
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Yet another group of taxpayers gets to take it in the shorts for the "honor" of hosting the Olympics.
Not getting the Olympics in the US was Obama's greatest non-victory accomplishment.
Must be unions involved here...
What a boondoggle! Of course when this was proposed, it was designed to be part of the Olympic projects. But now that it won't be ready, then suddenly it has nothing to do with the Olympics? And I bet even when the cable cars open, the price will be higher than predicted. Just look at the outrageous fees charged for the huge London Ferris wheel.
It was never designed to be part of the 2012 Olympics. I challenge you to show me anything that says it was. It was also never designed to be opened by the Olympics. The unofficial goal was to TRY to have it open by then, but that was only at the earliest stages of the project.
Big deal. The stadium they want to put up for the Vikings is going on one Billion dollars and they couldn't beat the Good Samaritan co-ed wheelchair second string. All for nine home games a year. Wow.
Another step in turning London into a giant theme park. When do they open the giant roller coaster circling Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament water slide? It all seems so...tacky.
Ahhhh unions/government workers Great job
And yet the non producers of the world, want the US to become just like these bastions of Euro big brother governments.
And worse we the people of the US are letteing them.
Just one more reason to ignore the over-priced over-hyped games. Exactly who gets ANYTHING out of this?
Im actually in agreement. I can understand having entertainment, but when the world economy is in shambles, why spend so much money on this?
It's only a shamble for the working class.
No surprise here, it seems that every Olympic Games has issues of not completing on time, lots of poor planning. The country awarded if that's what you want to call it the Olympic Venue, should be ready the next day to begin work, but that never happens. The burden put on the country/state financially they never get it back, the taxpayers pay forever. Pick a place, whoever wants it builds a permanent Olympic Stadium and the games will always be there. For the USA to have bid and won the Olympic venue it would have been financial devastation to all involved we are in such dire straits now. The analogy would be Nero fiddling as Rome burnt!
Pretty epic fail considering it was made for the Olympics.
So sad, the once mighty Empire now a side show. The USA is next.
What the heck? They should have had the wedding planner from the previous royal affair do this. I know that there may not be very many cable car systems in England but maybe they could have had the Swiss, Germans, Italians, Chineese, Indians, American, or (oh swallow their stiff upper lip) French who have more experience in cable car systems correct the problem. This is like the birthday cake showing up 2 days after the Queen's birthday. British Airways does not leave "sometime tomorrow." Tea time is not "in the latter part of the day. FIRE THE PROJECT MANAGER and bring in somebody who can complete the job safely and ahead of "summer of 2012."
Good for transportation. Many people will hate it at first but love it once they ride it. But, in everything, because its man-made, there's margin for error, I can't help wonder by looking at the design.
7/7 (the tube bombings) was a false flag attack by the British government against its own people. Rik Clay died expsoing a possible flase flag operation planned for the Olympics 27/7.
... oh, bollocks! ... (oh! I hope we can say that here)