Greenwich on the World Stage

This is a copy of the original information issued to Greenwich residents in 1996.

In the year 2000 Greenwich will host the country's year long Millennium celebrations. More than ten million visitors from all over the world are expected to visit the Exhibition, which will have a capacity of around 100,000 visitors a day. The development of the 130 acre Greenwich Peninsula site will stimulate the physical and economic regeneration of a wide area of inner London - creating jobs, improving the environment and encouraging new investment.

Millennium Exhibition

A planning application has been submitted on behalf of the operating company for the Millennium Exhibition, as the first step in the realisation of the project. The operating company has undertaken to work in partnership with the London Borough of Greenwich, the local community and local businesses.

The Exhibition designers have created a dramatic environment in which to stage the exhibitions and events. Working closely with award winning architects, the Richard Rogers Partnership, they have produced a scheme which will provide an all weather exhibition environment and a dramatic backdrop to the celebrations. The scheme includes Meridian Point, Meridian Gardens, the Millennium River Walk and Millennium Park and is supported by major infrastructure improvements including the new Jubilee Line station.

This newsletter explains the Millennium site proposals and invites you to give your views.

The Exhibition Site-What will be built?

The Exhibition site will comprise:

• The Millennium Dome
• Meridian Point
• Meridian Gardens
• Millennium Park
• The Millennium River Walk
• The Millennium Plaza
• Public Transport facilities, including:

Jubilee Line Extension underground station at Greenwich North

Bus/Underground interchange

River piers and boat services

Coach parking

Park and Ride services from off-site car parks

The Millennium Dome

The Dome will be the largest structure in the world, over 50 metres in height with a diameter of over 300 metres. It will have the capacity for 40,000 people. Capable of accommodating almost two Wembley Stadiums or 13 Royal Albert Halls, it would cover the whole of Trafalgar Square and the surrounding buildings.

The Dome will provide an all-weather exhibition environment. Designed by a team which includes the Richard Rogers Partnership and Buro Happold, the building will provide a memorable image for the Exhibition both by day and night.

The Dome will house 12 time zones. Each zone will contain multi level pavilions representing a different aspect of time. Detailed plans are currently being developed by the Exhibition designers.

The Millennium Park and Lakes

Millennium Park will be a new open public space linking the Exhibition site to the proposed development areas to the south of the Peninsula. The Park will be a permanent feature and lasting legacy.

Meridian Point

Lying directly on the Greenwich Meridian this will provide the focal point of the Millennium Gardens and home to a wide variety of events during the Millennium year. Millennium Point encompasses a landing stage, performance arena and other facilities.

Meridian Gardens

Located between Meridian Point and the Millennium Dome, Meridian Gardens will provide a gateway to the Exhibition for visitors arriving by boat and a dramatic backdrop to Millennium Point.

The Millennium River Walk

A new riverside walk will extend the full length of the site providing vistas over the river down towards the Thames Barrier.

The Millennium Plaza

The Millennium Plaza will be the main entrance to the Exhibition for visitors arriving by underground, coaches, buses and by river. The Plaza will also provide a location for performance areas and other visitor facilities. Adjacent to the Plaza will be a new Bus/Underground station designed by Sir Norman Foster.

Jubilee Line Station

The new Station on the Jubilee Line will open in 1998 and provide direct access to the site from central and east London. The new station is the largest underground station ever constructed.

Coach Parking

Parking for 550 coaches will be provided. In addition, a limited amount of overspill parking will be provided, including for disabled drivers holding Orange Badges.

How will visitors arrive?

Visitors will arrive at Exhibition in a variety of ways. Estimates of the split between the main forms of travel are:

In order to maximise the use of public transport and discourage visitors from trying to bring their cars into the area the Transport Strategy for the Exhibition will:

• maximise access by the Jubilee Line by ensuring that service and station capacities meet the forecast need
• provide coach parking on site
• provide car parks on the main route approaches to East London and Greenwich with Park and Ride/Sail services to link them to the site. A range of locations are being considered on both sides of the River Thames
• encourage the use of the River Thames to the site from central London, Greenwich Pier and from downstream piers
• provide a convenient public transport connection to the North
• Kent line at Charlton or Westcombe Park stations provide good local access by bus, foot, bike and taxi provide public transport links to Greenwich town centre
• In addition the Transport Strategy will be supported by: high quality travel information systems to assist visitors arriving by different transport services
• combined booking and ticketing arrangements which include the use of public transport and Park and Ride/Sail services
• making the approach journey by public transport part of the Exhibition experience

How will visitors' cars be kept out of the surrounding area?

In order to safeguard the amenity of residents living within walking distance it is proposed to introduced a Controlled Parking Zone around the site. The Controlled Parking Zone will provide kerbside space for residents' parking, business users, short-stay visitors and disabled drivers. The extent of the Controlled Parking Zone will be subject to the approval of the Council and interested parties' views.

How will construction traffic be dealt with?

During the construction period there will be considerable contractors' traffic and the movement of plant and machinery.

To ensure that the impact of construction work is minimised a Code of Conduct will be introduced which will specify:

Construction Traffic Routes - the main roads and the River Thames wherever possible

• vehicle washing to prevent mud on the road
• the hours of work within which the contractors will operate to minimise noise and disturbance

Jobs

The Exhibition will employ over 5,000 people. In addition over 2,000 people will be employed in the construction phase. Agreements will be sought with contractors to introduce 'local labour' schemes, including working with Greenwich Local Labour in Construction. Links will be made with local training organisations to maximise the opportunities for providing local residents with the skills necessary to compete successfully for the new jobs.

In co-operation with the London Borough of Greenwich every effort will be made to maximise the long term jobs created by the Exhibition in Greenwich and further afield.

The location of the Exhibition at Greenwich will provide a massive boost to tourism locally and throughout the country with people from all over the world coming to Greenwich to take part in the year long celebrations.

The Benefits - A Summary

• the development of over 130 acres of land on the Greenwich riverfront, creating over 5,000 jobs at the Exhibition and over 2,000 jobs in the construction phase
• a catalyst for long term economic and environmental regeneration and investment across the borough and beyond
• a permanently improved environment, including public landscaped open space and gardens and a riverside walk a boost to local businesses and the Greenwich tourist trade, catering for visitors
• a transport strategy which aims to encourage the use of public transport by visitors
• a legacy of infrastructure including new riverside walks, local roads, public transport, services sites and river pier development
• a boost to local employment

Timetable

The planning application will be considered by the London Borough of Greenwich in early 1997. To meet the development programme it is anticipated that construction work will commence in mid 1997. The construction period will be 2.5 years and the site will be ready in Autumn 1999.