GREENWICH: Boris says Olympic park will be 'respected' (From This Is Local London)

GREENWICH: Boris says Olympic park will be 'respected'

8:10am Wednesday 1st April 2009 in

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MAYOR of London Boris Johnson has been soothing the concerns of residents worried about the use of Greenwich Park during the 2012 Olympics.

Organisers want to use Greenwich Park for equestrian events during the London games. But this has led to fears the park will be permanently damaged.

In a letter to Greenwich Conservatives, Mr Johnson said: "Understandably local residents will have questions about the use of the park.

"I am personally determined that the hosting of the equestrian events does not result in lengthy closures and that the ecology and historic nature of the area is respected."

He added: "I hope that you and your colleagues will continue to liase with the London Organising Committee on a regular basis to ensure that all concerns are adequately addressed."

Greenwich Conservatives' spokesman for culture and Olympics, Councillor Nigel Fletcher, welcomed the mayor's words.

He said: "I'm glad Boris is taking local people's concerns about the use of the park for the Olympic Games seriously.

"People feel the Labour Council is ignoring local opinion and taking a "gung-ho" approach to the plans.

"Although we wholeheartedly support Greenwich's status as a host borough for the games, the plans must ensure the park is not damaged, and that it is not closed to visitors for months."