The "Great ball of LEDS" at Stratford: transport implications

[whole diary]

[stuving]

There was a news item today that MTR^▸ (Mass Transit Railway, based in Hong Kong)/Crossrail have lodged an objection to the advertising screen around the MSG/Populous proposed ... arena at Stratford. I imagine this was a standard planning step for the advertising screens, which were not part of the original proposal. More details in Wikipedia, if you've missed the story so far, and some LED-less visuals on dezeen.


Now, this site is a cramped triangle with railways on all its sides. It also included as part of its justification that this makes it ideal for getting big crowds in and out. However, we've all seen how keen railways are to take on that function, even in the "good" old days (last year).

I've not been digging for the planning documents, which would be with the London Legacy Development Corporation. Hover, the GLA has of course got involved, and I found this response of theirs that included reactions from NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and the operators. And guess what - they don't think they could manage! I do see the GLA's point that 300 events a year means they can't be called "exceptional", but evidently they are still not routine as evening crowd sizes. NR did say any lights or reflections mustn't interfere with their signal sightings, and that was before the LEDs were mentioned.

[Celestial]

Maybe Network Rail could suggest the developer funds ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System. A future railway signalling system, with equipment located in the driver's cab, rather than at the lineside) in the area, so that lineside signals can be dispensed with.  Win/win (though I suspect that might use up the resultant advertisement revenue from the lightshow for a good few years...)

[stuving]

In the end, and has taken more than three years, the mayor says no. The reports mostly criticise it because of the external display, which in some ways is odd - they don't make money out of that, so presumably only do it "because we can". From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Stratford sphere proposals rejected by London mayor
By Noah Vickers      Local Democracy Reporting Service


The exterior of the "Sphere" would show adverts and visual displays, which locals say will stop them sleeping [MSG]

Plans for a Las Vegas-style "Sphere" entertainment venue on the edge of the Olympic park in east London have been rejected by the mayor.

Sadiq Khan decided on Monday to block the giant eyeball-shaped dome proposed by Madison Square Garden Entertainment Company (MSG) on three key grounds, including light pollution.

The company said it was "disappointed in London's decision".

The final decision will go to Communities Secretary, Michael Gove.

Mr Khan rejected the development, citing the amount of light pollution that it would cause for Stratford residents, its huge electricity bill and associated lack of "green" credentials, and the impact it would have on heritage sites in the area.

A spokesperson for the mayor said: "London is open to investment from around the world and Sadiq wants to see more world-class, ambitious, innovative entertainment venues in our city.

"But as part of looking at the planning application for the MSG Sphere, the mayor has seen independent evidence that shows the current proposals would result in an unacceptable negative impact on local residents."...

I doubt that NR^» (Network Rail - home page)'s complaints counted for much in that decision.

[REVUpminster]

Railways do not like to be to close to huge venues like the London Stadium, Wembley, Emirites because the return crowds spread out (some walking faster than others). Often stations right next to a venue are closed forcing the return crowd to walk further.

[stuving]

And now the Americans behind this plan have decided to take their ball away - leaving a trail of other ball-related puns behind them. One of them was the reason given: that it had become a political football (not an American one, obviously). The big boss of Madison Square Garden even said that Sadiq Khan refused it not on its merits but just because the Government had supported it.

[Electric train]

The big boss of Madison Square Garden even said that Sadiq Khan refused it not on its merits but just because the Government had supported it.

Possibly the best reason to reject it 

Edit to clarify quoting

[ChrisB]

I would not wish to live in that tower block that you can see in the mock up photo above.