London 2012: Heathrow Airport in numbers - BBC News
Heathrow in numbers - how the UK's biggest airport is getting ready for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Some 500,000 people will be flying into London for the Olympics and Paralympics this summer.
That includes 100,000 athletes, 20,000 members of the media and 150 heads of state. Most of them will arrive via Heathrow.
It will be the start and finish line for the bulk of visitors, giving the country's biggest airport its busiest day ever.
That day will be Monday 13 August, the day after the closing ceremony and the day 65% of visitors are planning to leave.
Some 203,000 bags will be squeezed on to the baggage system - that's 35% more than on a normal day and about 13,000 more than it is designed to handle.
Of those bags, 15,000 will be oversized - full of canoes, javelins, bikes and poles for the pole vault. There will also be more than 980 firearms to check, plus ammunition.
'Heavily-congested skies'A special temporary terminal is being built just for the "Games family" - athletes and coaches to you and me.
It will be open for three days, snuggled between terminals four and five, and will boast 31 check-in desks and seven security lanes.
Meanwhile, hundreds of extra border staff - they will not give an exact figure - will be on hand to try to keep passport queues down.
Sixteen mobile teams of 10 guards each will be available to target trouble spots if, or should that be when, the queues build up.
It is not just Heathrow of course.
Air traffic control is facing its biggest ever challenge, coping with heavily-congested skies, the threat of a terror attack and possible bad weather. Twenty-five controllers are practising in the simulator every day.
In all, 400 have been specially trained over the past four years to deal with the extra workload.
Any rogue planes should be spotted within two to three minutes, after which military controllers take over that zone and a decision is made whether or not to scramble fast jets.
Extra plane?The Paralympics is a third of the size of the main event but it is still a huge challenge.
“Start Quote
End QuoteThe Chinese team are arriving on 27 different planes and they'll probably need an extra plane at the end to carry all their medals”
Heathrow will have to deal with a month's worth of wheelchair users in just a week - about 1,800 in total.
Thirteen new scissor lifts and 100 new ramps have been deployed to load and unload wheelchairs while there are six new powered stair climbers to move large electric wheelchairs.
Two-hundred extra staff will welcome the Paralympians and help with the biggest challenge of all - making sure every athlete is reunited quickly with their chair.
As one Paralympian put it, you wouldn't expect able-bodied athletes to leave the plane in someone else's trainers would you?
The Chinese team are arriving on 27 different planes and they'll probably need an extra plane at the end to carry all their medals. I made that last bit up.
Finally, 1,000 local volunteers will greet athletes off the plane, help with their luggage and welcome them to London.
Then a few weeks later, as the Olympic flame dies, those volunteers will wave them off again as they head for home.
One thousand people will be standing there waving goodbye at planes, so if you happen to be going on holiday that day, you might want to wave back.
London Gets Gold for ID Fraud - Marketwatch
NOTTINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM, May 23, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- London could be set for a rise in identity fraud this summer as new figures from Experian CreditExpert reveal that 7.7 million Britons from outside the capital are set to descend on some of the UK's worst areas for ID theft - while 1.9 million Londoners plan to escape.(1)
London, the boroughs around many of the Games venues in particular, is already home to the UK's worst ID fraud hotspots, with rates of attempted fraud up to 11 times higher than the national average. These include East Ham (11 times higher), Woolwich (6.5 times higher) and Stratford itself (six times higher).(2)
There will be a mass influx of people into these areas, carrying personal information in the forms of UK bank account details, and credit card details. This leaves individuals at a high risk of Identity Fraud with individuals, in unfamiliar surroundings, exercising less caution than they would normally adhere to in their normal surroundings. This presents a massive opportunity to fraudsters, with visitors likely to have passports and other pieces of personal identification about their person, be freely using smart phones and unsecured WiFi hotspots, and also potentially sharing hostels or rented accommodation with strangers all of which increase the risk of identity theft.
Visitors are therefore advised to keep a close eye on their personal information, and on their credit report following their visit for any signs of unusual activity. CreditExpert also provides alerts if your personal details appear anywhere unexpectedly online so it is easy to protect yourself pro-actively.
TOP FIVE RISKS TOP FIVE TIPS TO STAY SAFE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Passports Think about how much sensitive information you really need to have about your person - if your hotel booking has your card number and address, do you need to carry it around with you, for instance? Likewise, don't take your passport out with you unless you absolutely have to. If you are staying in a hotel for the Games, ask for sensitive documents to be securely stored in the hotel safe when you are not using them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PIN codes Make sure that no-one else can see you enter your PIN code at ATMs and chip and pin machines, particularly in large crowds. Do not write down or carry your PIN code with you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Smartphones If you have a smartphone, you'll certainly want to photograph and tweet your time at the Olympics, but be particularly careful what you share when connected to an unsecured wireless network. Also ensure you switch off Bluetooth and roaming settings when not required and ensure you use a password. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post If you're going to be one of the lucky ones visiting London for a few weeks to enjoy the Games, think about what you'll do with your post. Intercepted post is one of the key ways in which fraudsters can take people's detail, so it could be worth setting up a redirect for the duration of the Games. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Face-to-face Check the credentials of anyone asking for your personal information, whether by phone, face-to-face or over the internet. If in doubt, don't do it!
The Experian CreditExpert research reveals that no fewer than one in six Britons (16 per cent) is planning on visiting London during the Olympics, half as tourists and half to attend the Games themselves. Seventeen per cent of people coming to the capital have not been for more than a decade, with a further three per cent making their first ever trip to the city.
Nearly six out of 10 (59 per cent) will be staying for several days. Although one in four (25 per cent) will be staying in hotels and one in five (21 per cent) with friends, a significant minority (four per cent) will risk staying in a hostel and two per cent will be renting a property or someone's spare room - some 154,000 people.(3)
And although they are concerned about large crowds (23 per cent) and the expense of London (20 per cent), just three per cent are worried about identity fraud.
The risk of ID fraud among visitors is arguably heightened by the decision of many Londoners to quit the capital during the course of the Games. One in 14 (seven per cent) are looking to leave London for the duration of the Olympics, with a further one in six (17 per cent per cent) planning to get out of the city for at least some of the period.
But it's not just newcomers who need to be careful. The one in 20 Londoners taking on a lodger or renting out a room or their whole property need to be aware they are putting themselves at risk of ID fraud by inviting a stranger into their home and are advised to ensure personal details are locked away and post collected promptly.
Peter Turner, Managing Director at Experian Interactive, commented: "This is set to be a once in a lifetime summer. But that doesn't mean people should let their guard down - just because you are holidaying in the UK, you should still take the same precautions you would if you were on a city break to Europe.
"Identity fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes of the 21st century, and anyone could be at risk from fraudsters getting hold of their personal information, particularly if they are in an unfamiliar area, renting a flat short-term or a room in a B&B. Likewise if you are a homeowner letting a spare room just for the Olympics, do ensure all your personal details are kept safe from visitors."
"This is why it is so important to have proper safeguards in place to protect your identity. With Experian CreditExpert if the worst should happen you will be alerted to any significant changes to your credit report so that you can react quickly and keep the risks to a minimum."
Identity fraud hotspots
Top 10 10k households Top 10 in 10k households nationwide Cases London Cases ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Slough 25 East Ham 78 London (all) 22 Woolwich 46 Gravesend 20 Stratford 43 Birmingham 17 Ilford 33 Luton 16 Walthamstow 27 Manchester 15 Harrow 27 Leicester 14 Cheapside 26 High Wycombe 13 Lewisham 26 Peterborough 13 Hatfield 26 Windsor 12 Enfield 26
To avoid becoming a victim of identity fraud this summer, Experian CreditExpert suggests some further tips:
1. Keep an eye on your credit report It's a history of all your credit accounts and will highlight any irregularities such as suspect applications for credit and rises in card balances. You can view your credit report free with a 30 day trial with Experian CreditExpert.(ii)((i)New customers only. Monthly fee after trial ends) 2. If in doubt, don't click If an email purporting to be from a hotel or linked to the Games seems suspicious, contact the relevant organisation and don't give out personal details. Your bank, credit card provider and any reputable business will never ask for confirmation of details by email. 3. If you do become a victim of fraud Don't forget you can sign up to Experian's CreditExpert whose dedicated victims of fraud team will work on your behalf to resolve the issue.
Notes to editors:
1. The UK adult population is 48,091,600 (ONS). Sixteen per cent of adults are set to come to London during the Olympics. Therefore: 0.16 x 48,091,600 = 7,694,656 or 7.7 million.
The population of Greater London is 7,753,000 (ONS) 24 per cent of Londoners are looking to leave the capital during some or all of the Games. Therefore: 0.24 x 7,753,000 = 1,860,720 or 1.9 million
2. Based on analysis of information from the National Hunter anti-fraud data sharing system and the Insurance Hunter database.
3. 0.02 x 7694656 = 153,893 or 154,000
Key benefits of Experian CreditExpert membership:
- Experian is the UK's most trusted credit reference agency
- Experian is the credit expert with more than 30 years of experience
- Free 30-day trial of CreditExpert(i)((i)New customers only. Monthly fee after trial ends)
- Unlimited access to your Experian Credit Score
- Weekly alerts of changes to your credit report
- Access to an award-winning, UK-based customer services team
- Identity Protection Insurance of up to GBP 75,000(ii) ((ii)terms and conditions apply)
- Expert advice and tools to help improve your credit rating
- Intelligent price matching to credit products suited to your credit history
- Consumers can apply directly from the website: www.creditexpert.co.uk
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2012 was US$4.5 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 44 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Contacts: Bell Pottinger Consumer PR Joseph Bradfield 020 7861 3931 jbradfield@bpconsumer.co.uk Bell Pottinger Consumer PR Michael Sheen 020 7861 3013 msheen@bpconsumer.co.uk
SOURCE: Credit Expert
mailto:jbradfield@bpconsumer.co.uk mailto:msheen@bpconsumer.co.uk
Copyright 2012 Marketwire, Inc., All rights reserved.
London 2012: First Look At An Olympic Lane Outside London - Huffington Post
London mayor announces housing board members - InsideHousing
Homes for London board members:
• Nick Salisbury, former head of structured finance for the Barclays corporate bank property
• Mike Youkee, former head of housing at Quintain and former joint chief executive of the Greenwich Peninsula project
• Charmaine Young CBE, outgoing director of developer St George
• Sir Steve Bullock, London Councils’ executive member for housing
• Councillor Stephen Carr, leader of Bromley Council
• Councillor Chris Roberts, leader of Greenwich Council
London borough brands super sewer plans 'arrogant' and 'ludicrous' - 24dash.com
Published by Ross Macmillan for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government
Thames Water's plans to press ahead with a 20-mile-long "mega tunnel" - which will disrupt land earmarked for new housing - has been branded "arrogant" and "ludicrous", by a London borough.
Hammersmith and Fulhman Council (H&F) has reacted angrily to the £4.1bn Thames Tunnel 'super sewer' scheme - which aims to deal with excessive rainfall - and have welcomed the decision by the Mayor of London to call for an independent review of the project.
The largest number of objections to the plans, says the council, came from residents around Carnwath Road – who oppose the use of the densely populated Fulham riverside which had been earmarked for new homes and jobs.
The council says residents don't want the site to be used and object to the area being swallowed up for heavy sewer digging work 24 hours a day, seven days a week for at least six years.
Cllr Nick Botterill, H&F Council Deputy Leader, says: “The south-east of England gets more rain than numerous places across the world that are not enduring a hosepipe ban. The reason we have a hosepipe ban here is not because it doesn't rain enough but because Thames Water is not managing the water supply effectively.
"The super sewer is a prime example of the failure of sustainable water management in the UK. Instead of capturing the fresh rainwater and using it productively, Thames Water is allowing it to flow into the sewer network where it mixes with sewage causing problems for the River Thames. Thames Water's solution is to charge customers £100 a year extra forever to raise billions of pounds to dig a massive concrete pipe. This massive sewer will divert the combined rainwater and sewage 20 odd miles to east London - only for it to be treated and put back into the river.
“This is neither a green nor sustainable approach and is certainly not a good use of £4.1billion when money is tight. The fact that Londoners are enduring a hosepipe ban when Thames Water is allowing fresh water to simply go down the drain is crazy and reveals their misguided approach to water management.
“To compound this hair-brained approach Thames Water is now completely ignoring the Mayor of London, the local council and thousands of residents by confirming the use of a tight knit residential area as their main sewer construction site.”
A Thames Water spokesman said that there were "no easy" choices to make in terms of sites.
He said: "We've got to put in place a sewer system fit for purpose. It isn't at the moment. From the recent consultation feedback we had we were instructed to use brownfiled land and to use the river as much as we can which made the Carnwath site suitable."
He said that the scheme would add around £80 a year to the average Thames Water Bill.
Phil Stride, Head of London Tideway Tunnels at Thames Water, said: “In the 18 months since we first began public consultation for the project, we have worked extremely hard to consult people potentially affected.
"First and foremost, we are very grateful to everyone who has let us know their views, both for and against the project or the preferred sites. I can personally assure everyone who participated in the process that every step of the way we have carefully taken on board the content of every feedback form, every letter and every petition we have received.
"Most importantly, where possible we have made changes to reflect the concerns people have raised. The new targeted consultations for our proposed sites at Barn Elms, Putney Embankment, Victoria and Albert Embankment are evidence of our ongoing determination to listen and make changes where they are practically possible within the scope of this critical but challenging project.
"Unfortunately, there are no easy or disruption-free options for building this much-needed piece of infrastructure, but we remain as determined as ever to reduce the impacts at the proposed sites as much as possible, whilst ensuring we deliver value for money.
"During phase two consultation for example a wide number of individuals and organisations called on us to use the river more to transport materials to and from during the construction phase. We have taken this on board and are now proposing to transport an additional 425,000 tonnes of materials, and 11 per cent increase compared to the proposals made at phase two consultation."
London Welsh denied chance of promotion to the Premiership - The Guardian
Newcastle will be playing in the Premiership next season after the Rugby Football Union today ruled that London Welsh, who play the first leg of their Championship play-off final against Cornish Pirates in Penzance tonight, did not meet the entry criteria for the top flight.
London Welsh, who have never been in the Premiership, proposed playing at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium, the venue of next week's second leg, because their Old Deer Park ground did not have a big enough capacity or floodlights.
The RFU's board of directors this morning considered a report from the auditors, PMP Legacy, which found that "various failures" of the minimum standards criteria demanded of clubs who win the Championship meant that London Welsh should not be promoted.
The Pirates did not subject themselves to the criteria test so the ruling means the Championship winners will not be going up, reprieving the Falcons who finished at the bottom of the Premiership despite a late rally, one point below Wasps.
That will mean a return in the top flight for the club's director of rugby, Dean Richards, whose three-year ban for masterminding the Bloodgate affair while he was in charge of Harlequins ends in August.
The main failure of London Welsh cited by the auditors was that they did not have primacy of tenure at the Kassam Stadium, raising concerns that they would not be able to play their home matches at a time demanded by Premiership Rugby or the tournament's broadcasters.
Under the regulations, teams who share grounds must nominate a second stadium. It is understood that Welsh's nominated fallback was Brentford's Griffin Park, which is more than the stipulated 30 miles away from the Kassam Stadium.
London Welsh have 14 days in which to appeal and they have indicated they will take up that option. The Exiles have maintained throughout that they met the primacy of tenure clause, pointing out that in the history of the Premiership, no club has been forced to use its nominated second ground.
The Championship clubs met earlier this year and considered whether to mount a legal challenge against the minimum standards criteria, arguing that they amounted to a restraint of trade. London Welsh's chairman, Bleddyn Phillips, is a senior partner at the law firm Clifford Chance and in recent weeks has expressed his confidence that the club met the criteria.
The last time a club from the second tier was denied promotion was Rotherham 10 years ago. They were rebuffed because the RFU ruled the club had not signed a legally binding agreement to play at Rotherham United's ground and received £720,000 in compensation, cash that had been earmarked as a parachute payment for the bottom club in the Premiership, Leeds, in the event of relegation.
The RFU board today felt it had no option under the minimum standards criteria but to reject London Welsh's bid. It is open-minded about whether they are too restrictive, but that will be a matter for the professional game board, a body made up of members from the union, Premiership Rugby and the Professional Rugby Players' Association.
Newcastle's commercial director Duncan Edward said: "To be given the lifeline of playing in the Aviva Premiership next season and keeping top-class rugby in the region is unbelievable."
London 2012 Olympics torch passes over Clifton Suspension Bridge - Daily Telegraph
The Grade I listed structure, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was opened in 1864 and is considered to be the symbol of the city of Bristol.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest sporting event in the UK this year. Will you be travelling to the UK to see the Games? Please send us your comments and experiences.