Greenwich Park Euro 2020 Fan Zone: Planners recommend approval

Plans for a Euro 2020 fan park in Greenwich Park this summer are up before Greenwich’s Planning Board next week with recommendations from council officers to approve.

The plan would see a fan zone  for up to 30,000 people on “up to 12 match screening days during the tournament.” Tickets for games would be allocated by a free ballot.

In addition: “up to 8 days within the tournament period would be reserved for
community events.”

The plan involves closing off an area in front of the Queen’s House to erect screens, viewing space and food and drink facilities.

Earlier mooted plans for a shuttle bus service from central Greenwich to North Greenwich station have been dropped. The subsequent planning application from 2019 stated:

“The existing network has sufficient capacity to accommodate people travelling to and from the Fan Zone, with the exception of those attending a late kick off (8pm). This can be mitigated through uplift in capacity (the DLR and Southeastern have suggested enhancing their services).”

It appears no agreement has yet been made:

“TfL has stated that the forecasted trip generation would have a significant
impact upon the public transport network and that temporary arrangements
need to be put in place to ensure that there is sufficient capacity to meet the
requirements of the development. This includes additional DLR and national
Rail Services as well as additional buses and bus diversions. It is noted that the
applicant has engaged in discussions with DLR and South Eastern with regard
to the provision of additional services however at present there is no
mechanism to ensure that the proposed uplift in services is delivered. A
condition is therefore recommended to the effect that no event shall take
place until the applicant has submitted evidence that an agreement has been
put in place”.

Given the squeeze on DLR and Southeastern rolling stock numbers, how any additional capacity will be found remains to be seen.

Thameslink are not mentioned. Is it feasible to switch their two trains per hour service from 8 to 12-car use over the month? That would mean very busy 12-car routes reducing to 8-car, so probably isn’t likely.

If approved, the park would reopen by 24th July 2020.

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