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Newcastle gears up for Olympics

As the London 2012 Games approaches, we look at the plans for Newcastle, and how the city’s £400,000 budget will be used to deliver events throughout the period.

To kick-off the period, the Olympic Torch Relay will come to the North East from Scotland on Thursday June 14, beginning in Alnwick before travelling through Northumberland and North Tyneside to Newcastle on Friday June 15.

Once in the City, it will travel 7.2 miles around the centre and quayside, passing among more than 30 torchbearers, before coming to an evening celebration for five thousand people.

Football events at St James’ Park will begin the day after the opening ceremony on July 26. The stadium is one of 6 football venues being used for the Games.

9 matches, across six days will be played between July 26 and August 4, when the men’s quarter final takes place.

Special infrastructure arrangements, including road closures and traffic management arrangements will be brought in the provide safety for families attending the matches.

Elsewhere, the City will host a ‘Community Live Site’ featuring a large format television screen, broadcasting Olympic content throughout the Games, proposed for Grey Street.

Newcastle has also been awarded a grant of £270,000 by the Government Olympic Executive and Greater London Authorities to make the city look consistent with other host locations, including use of flags, lighting column banners and an Olympic Ring installation on the Tyne Bridge.

To ensure the running of events, up to 400 volunteers will be recruited and trained to fulfill various roles.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .