OLYMPICS 2012: 'Eton could lose out'

Historic Eton could fail to benefit from major Olympic events taking place only two miles away in 2012.

That was the gloomy view expressed by the town's mayor councillor Philip Highy when he chaired a meeting of Eton Town Council on Thursday.

Mr Highy acknowledged that about 25,000 spectators a day were expected to visit Dorney Lake when the Olympic rowing events took place in 2012. But none of them seem likely to pass through Eton.

He said: "If we are not careful Eton is going to lose out despite having an international world renowned event on its doorstep.

"The way it is being planned it seems poor old Eton is not going to benefit at all."

Councillors had already learned at a preliminary meeting with a police planning team that Dorney Lake could expect about 5,000 Olympic competitors, trainers and officials during a two week training period earlier in July, 2012.

This would swell to 25,000 for the main event between July 27 and August 4. Visitor numbers would also soar when the canoeing events took place between August 6 and 11, with the Paralympic rowing and canoeing following from September 1 to 3.

But it is understood sportsmen and women will stay some way away, at Royal Holloway College, Englefield Green.

And spectators will probably be bussed into Windsor Racecourse - before using a temporary bridge to cross to the rowing venue.

Park and ride facilities would also be provided at Ascot Racecourse and Upton Court, Slough. No-one would go through Eton.