The London Olympics site wasn’t just built to house the Olympics for a couple of weeks, it was designed as a long term investment for the “regeneration of the east”. The major problem with London was that there wasn’t any Land or space. The Stratford area was the perfect location for the Olympics site as there was the potential for development and a local population that could benefit from more housing that was built to a better standard and more jobs for local people.

It was estimated before redevelopment started that the initiative could create over 3,000 jobs and around 4,000 new homes in and around Stratford thus improving the lives of many locals. The athletes’ village was relaunched as a housing estate called the East Village. These estates were designed to be affordable for the local area with low rent prices. However The ‘affordable rents’ for the 2,800 new homes would be unaffordable to Newham’s poorest households. Even though many Jobs were created after the olympics were over During the construction of the Olympics, very few jobs were created for local people. There are still high levels of unemployment in the borough and it was a missed opportunity to train people up for work.

The Land was also chosen as a long term legacy that would be left after the games where finished. For example old builds were converted into new schools and nearly all of the athletes village is now affordable housing. Adding to this, The main stadium is now occupied by West Ham Football club and still hosts many alternative sports and the other venues were opened to the public and for use of the local schools.

In 2006 Most of land needed for games under public control and relocation sites agreed for those who have to move. The Work to underground the power lines and remove the pylons which run through the Olympic Park began and transport improvements: Greater capacity on Jubilee Line, extension of DLR to London City Airport, Stratford International Station opened, first ‘Javelin’ trains unveiled which will transport passengers from King’s Cross to Stratford in seven minutes. In 2008 Work begun on Olympic Stadium and aquatics centre and building work starts on infrastructure. In 2009 work was begun on other venues. Building of Olympic village to begin. In 2010 Work completed on infrastructure projects, including utilities and roads. In 2012 temporary facilities completed the car parks completed and bus lanes laid out and the opening ceremony was held July 27.

Some argue other rail lines such as the east to west line are in greater need of more investment.

HS2 will become a national asset and celebrated engineering achievement, much like the Olympic Park project.

More than 600 homes will be demolished and 340 homes cut off from their wider neighbourhood to make way for the train track.

Fewer people will fly from London to Manchester if HS2 can get them there quicker

Other major european countries have lots of high speed rail links e.g. Spain, France, Germany

HS2 would created 22,000 construction jobs over the next five years. Once the entire line is running it could create 100,000 jobs.

Companies constructing HS2 will be required by law to train engineering apprentices.

HS2 when complete would reduce the amount of car and lorry journeys on the roads.

It will help bridge the North-South Divide by connecting major northern cities, creating jobs in Manchester and Leeds.

HS2 will encourage more trips to London but will not help travel between northern cities of liverpool, Newcastle and leeds. + -

The full network would concrete an area the size of Manchester. -

A £500 million tunnel would be built through the Chilterns affecting an area of natural beauty. -

Over 130 protected wildlife sites will have to be relocated to make way for the train line. -

HS2 constructors have promised to plant 2 million trees along the proposed HS2 rail line. +

HS2 would created 22,000 construction jobs over the next five years. Once the entire line is running it could create 100,000 jobs.

HS2 when complete would reduce the amount of car and lorry journeys on the roads.

It will help bridge the North-South Divide by connecting major northern cities, creating jobs in Manchester and Leeds.

HS2 will become a national asset and celebrated engineering achievement, much like the Olympic Park project.

More than 600 homes will be demolished and 340 homes cut off from their wider neighbourhood to make way for the train track.

Some argue other rail lines such as the east to west line are in greater need of more investment.

Companies constructing HS2 will be required by law to train engineering apprentices.

Over 130 protected wildlife sites will have to be relocated to make way for the train line.

The full network would concrete an area the size of Manchester.

A £500 million tunnel would be built through the Chilterns affecting an area of natural beauty. -

Other major european countries have lots of high speed rail links e.g. Spain, France, Germany

HS2 constructors have promised to plant 2 million trees along the proposed HS2 rail line. +