The Olympic 'Zil' lanes: 250 miles of road will be coned off for 2012 'VIPs'

[alexxxxx]

The Queen gets a police escort because she is the head of state, she does not get main roads & motorways closed off so she can go along the road faster than the rest of us - nobody should have priority over the roads, especially not because of their status.

Sounds like elitism to me(!)

What utter nonsense; 'platform to show off what is good about britain to the world' - that doesn't even mean anything. If you want to improve business, then maybe the £12bn+ spent on the Olympics could have been used to give business a tax break or even give the ordinary people of this country a tax break rather than spending more than you will ever get in return and the small return you do get will be centred down in London.

No, it quite clearly does. For the cricket t20 world cup, which is tiny in comparison to the olympics, there was foreign media in my city filming and talking about it and making it look like a nice place. You get the exposure, everyone is thinking about london/england and so is business. Why was south africa so bothered about hosting the world cup when there's millions without proper schools? I have an issue with it all being concentrated in london yeah, but i think it is likely a return can be made - not to mention the possible economic benefits in london that the £12bn has achieved.

This Olympics is costing every single person in this country roughly around £2,000 each - I won't get to see it, I won't be having a ticket free of charge like Herman Van Rompuy, Tony Blair and the rest of the worlds cronies are - so why on earth should I and the millions of other people in this country who couldn't give a hoot about the Olympics pay for it?

Why won't you get to see it? You could. I will be. And i'm sure nearer the time there will be plenty of freebies to get your hands on. Why should i pay for someone else's cancer drugs - I DON'T NEED THEM? Why should i pay for some other kids education, I DON'T WANT IT. Why should I pay for the armed forces in the middle east, I DON'T WANT IT? Why should I pay for anything that doesn't relate to my life? Because that's how taxes work. It is unfair. Life is unfair.

As for you being concerned for the welfare of business, come off it.

I'm not a communist you know.

China are also struggling to use their stadium - all that money spent on a few weeks worth of sport and a fancy stadium for a minor league football club - what a total and utter waste. If concerned about sporting in this country, how many playgrounds & parks could have been built with the billions spent on this stadium and entertainment for the rich and powerful? it has nothing to do with sport as they try and make out hence why they sell off our wonderful parks year on year, its about extending their own ego and handing our contracts.

If you think West Ham (premier league) and Spurs (champions league) are 'minor league' then you'd be wrong. Millions of people will enjoy the olympics, not just the rich and powerful.

See above, nothing at all to do with the promotion of sport.

Apart from the extra millions invested in it.

Sorry but it is the elite, why should roads be closed off for politicians and 'VIPs' who will no doubt include the politicians best friends, the mega rich and famous. That is elitism.

It's not clear who exactly will be allowed to use these lanes.

The thing is, I and many other people in this country will not be going to the Games because we have no interest in it/we cannot afford it - so why should we be interrupted (along with business) on the already congested roads that we alone pay for have to sit in hot cars while the super rich and politicians whizz past in their special Zil lane all because they are powerful/friends of the politicians?

It is not on.

LOL Businesses in london will be VERY happy the games are there I can assure you. And if youre travelling to london from any sort of distance the train is much better - it's faster for a start.

Lmao, you make it out as though its the richest party on Earth.

There are some guys with a lot of £ in it though. I'd say the public image of UKIP is much more elitist than the other 3 main parties.

But you see this is the difference because my rant isnt about money, UKIP don't drive around in Zil lanes demanding the roads be shut now do they? I have no problem with people being rich and powerful, but what annoys me is this liberal elitism that runs in this country and around Europe. The same can be seen (since we are going to digs) in the fact that a large portion of unelected EU pencil pushers are on more than both Prime Minister Cameron and President Obama.

No because they are not in office and they have no power so they cannot do that. As soon as UKIP would be elected, they'd seem even more elitist. I love this blog detailing with varying levels of truth i should imagine the divides in the party. http://ukip-vs-eukip.blogspot.com/

No it is a waste, it loses money and provides next to no benefits = a total waste of money at a time when we have no money left.

It is a waste in your opinion.

[Catzsy]

Firstly no they don't pay taxes but the olympics will generate vast amounts of money for our countries economy in the long term. Far higher than the Olympics cost.

Secondly you are wrong. It's not a £5000 fine, it's UP TO a £5000 fine for challenging the ruling like it is with many other offences because you end up paying court fee's etc.

Thirdly you say they reside in the Olympic village. This is true. But the Olympics are set throughout the UK, not just in London. For example sailing takes place on the coast. Athletes travel around a lot and the other people in this thread are right, we need to show how great the UK is, this won't happen by displaying the wonders of traffic jams. If you have a Guest into your house you don't expect them to do chores even though you may do some yourself, this is the same principle.

Finally you've said these will likely be reserved for people like Tony Blair and Herman Von Rompuy when this is specifically designed for Athletes and Olympic officials. Stopped trying to create a rant out of nothing. It's common sense.

Spot on and the Beijing Olympics made a profit. Lets bring up the drawbridges, close the channel tunnel and make Britain great again, shall we? Honestly what a lot of windbagging over nothing.

[GommeInc]

Firstly no they don't pay taxes but the olympics will generate vast amounts of money for our countries economy in the long term. Far higher than the Olympics cost.

He has a slight point with this. £12 billion won't be paid back for a very, very long time. The amount of money coming in through tourism during the games would be no where near a billion. If anything, it will be scraping the double figures of the millions (£10 million to 99 million) It will take years to pay back, if ever, as it will be paid back through other means. It's a false perception that the games will pay back the debt the games will put us in, when if anything it would be the usual tourist income after a few years, trade and so forth. The games won't pay for themselves, only for the event and a bit afterwards when people want to see what happened and where it was. The rest of the profit would be any interest the games left in Britain.

The rest is a bit scratchy though. It's common sense elitism may rear it's head here as that's the point of the Olympic Games. People who are physically better than us getting carted around to do what they have to. Politicians may use them, because traffic will be dreadful, so if they used it then fine, as they will be doing what they have to do. If anyone uses the lanes when they really do not need to, then you'll no doubt hear about it on the TV, in newspapers and get an army of angry people on the case

[Catzsy]

He has a slight point with this. £12 billion won't be paid back for a very, very long time. The amount of money coming in through tourism during the games would be no where near a billion. If anything, it will be scraping the double figures of the millions (£10 million to 99 million) It will take years to pay back, if ever as it will be paid back through other means. It's a false perception that the games will pay back the debt the games will put us in, when if anything it would be the usual tourist income after a few years, trade and so forth. The games won't pay for themselves, only for the event and a bit afterwards when people want to see what happened and where it was.

Gomme, the last olympics made a profit. This is incredibly short sighted.

[GommeInc]

Gomme, the last olympics made a profit. This is incredibly short sighted.

I'm not saying it won't, I'm saying it's false to assume the games itself will make a profit which many believe it does. It takes a while to bring it back in, and China was making a profit long before this. "Made in China" is usually a sign, their industry is better than ours in everyway, so businesses were immediately attracted before and after the event. We'd only make it back through Tourism, which is a good industry but not as good as the production industry, and we all know how bad the UK looks to the outside world for business, we make ourselves look dreadful 12 Billion is alot of money, but it is worthy while

[Catzsy]

I'm not saying it won't, I'm saying it's false to assume the games itself will make a profit which many believe it does. It takes a while to bring it back in, and China was making a profit long before this. "Made in China" is usually a sign, their industry is better than ours in everyway, so businesses were immediately attracted before and after the event. We'd only make it back through Tourism, which is a good industry but not as good as the production industry, and we all know how bad the UK looks to the outside world for business, we make ourselves look dreadful 12 Billion is alot of money, but it is worthy while

There is huge money to be made from world wide broadcasting rights, etc etc etc. This thread is just nitpicking and an opportunity to have a go at something that matters very little to the average britain. I think the rise in unemployment and falls in house prices together with the possibility of a double dip recession is a little more important than this small issue. It is a diversionary tactic.

[GommeInc]

There is huge money to be made from world wide broadcasting rights, etc etc etc. This thread is just nitpicking and an opportunity to have a go at something that matters very little to the average britain. I think the rise in unemployment and falls in house prices together with the possibility of a double dip recession is a little more important than this small issue. It is a diversionary tactic.

True If anything the olympics would bring in jobs - not directly linked to the Olympics, which are mostly voluntary - but tourism, accommodation and new businesses that may see an opportunity.

[MrPinkPanther]

Catzsy is right. It makes a profit. The Olympics generates vast amounts of money for the hosting country not just in terms of tourism. We also must not forget that the majority of this £12 Billion (The higher end of estimates I might add) is being spent regenerating areas, these regenerated areas will remain past the olympics. As for this £2000 for every person, please. Learn to do Maths Dan.

12,000,000,000 / 61,500,000 = £195

Less than £200 per person. Not £2000.

[Jordy]

Gomme, the last olympics made a profit. This is incredibly short sighted.

I'm quite sceptical of this to be honest and I'm never sure I'd trust the Chinese figures anyway.

Look at Greece for example who held the 04 games, they were put in billions of debt from it and have never recovered. It's often listed as one of the reasons for their economic collapse earlier this year.

I'm not against the games but I'm a little sceptical. I'm quite impressed by the efficiency in construction so far and how they kept to a final budget but what really matters is the legacy of the games. E.g. Will we better at sport in the future thanks to investment in sport due to the olympics

Most importantly though, the games are about the regeneration of East London, primarily the Stratford area. That is the main reason the games were brought to London, it pains me to see you rattle on about making profits and trying to improve tourism in the UK, they're merely perks of the olympics, definitely not the reason behind the games coming to London.

[Tintinnabulate]

This Olympics is costing every single person in this country roughly around £2,000 each - I won't get to see it, I won't be having a ticket free of charge like Herman Van Rompuy, Tony Blair and the rest of the worlds cronies are - so why on earth should I and the millions of other people in this country who couldn't give a hoot about the Olympics pay for it?

Lol you don't even pay tax... stop moaning.

And undertaker, multiplier effect is a long term thing lol :S. Do you even know what it is?

I actually did my university report on the Olympics Games. Here is a quote from it:

In macroeconomic terms, the Olympic Games set in motion an influx of investment in the
infrastructure of the country and host city. Not only this, but the games encourage traveling and
multimedia exports. In addition, mass production begins as well as a trade and commercial
revolution and a wide range of job opportunities. All of these contribute to a major economic
boost for the host city and nation and provide a multiplier effect.