Olympic pollution

bob

Having travelled through a number of Chinese cities I was reminded of 19th, early 20th century Manchester.

You can taste the coal and grit in the air.

Travis Bickle

Never fear, once we have taken the UK back to the stone age through implementing the climate change bill there will obviously be clear, blue, cloudless skies over Beijing.

KevinF

This story is recycled at virtually every Olympics. I reported from Los Angeles in 1984 and there were all kinds of horror stories about smog. The Angelinos cleared off on vacation and there were no problems at all. Even the gangs declared a truce for the duration, which was nice of them!

Verity

So what?

There wouldn't be any new records broken anyway, even by the most enthusiastic imbiber of sterliods, because the limits have been reached. The most that will happen henceforth is something like one-millionth of a second sheared off something. Hardly worth the trip.

The Olympics records are maxed out. The venal, greedy Olympics Committee has been aware of the ending of record smashing for some years, which is why they brought in synchronised swimming - on the wilder shores of lunacy, yes, but it's a judgement call, so no need for records.

They are also, apparently going to introduce "ice dancing" and other non-athletic events. Anything to keep that gravy train on the road. Anything to save any member of the Olympics Committee ever having to pick up a tab for anything for the rest of his life.

I have a further prediction: there is a possibility that - barring the introduction of synchronised hopskotch and marbles championships, London will be the last Olympics.

And good riddance to this steroid-laden celebration of egos.

J H Holloway

You might also consider central London. 100 percent over the EU limits (for NoX and particulates, mainly) in many areas.

Who to blame? Well, Ken could have made a difference. But he replaced much of the 8000 strong bus fleet with diesel buses. And allows 21,000 cabs to continue belching and stop-start traffic management makes the emissions of the commercial traffic worse.

So what does the glorious Labour government do? Asks the EU if it can have a five let-off on meeting the mandatory 2010 EU air quality regulations.

In the rest of the Europe there's proper action on this. The taxis and buses are being switched to clean-burning natural gas. And cars are being restricted from city centres on the basis of tailpipe pollution, not theoretical CO2 emissions.

Still. What do expect from the UK? Where else would erect a sign on the M4 slip road to Heathrow that declares the area a 'low emission zone'?

Hysteria

Verity - interesting post. Hadn't thought about it that way but you might be right.

Tankus

nah ...to many backhanders involved , now that the expenses well for politicos in Euroland is going to slowly dry up, due to scrutiny and potential media exposure , I reckon its going to get bigger ...

ahhh ... bisto ..!