The Olympic Torch Comes to Shepherd's Bush
Celebrations at Westfield and West 12 shopping centres
The Olympic Torch comes to Shepherd's Bush today, Thursday July 26 - the eve of the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games.
Crowds are expected to line the streets to welcome the flame as it is carried through our borough, including a tour around Shepherd's Bush to White City and the site of the 1908 Olympic Games from around 3pm onwards.
The Torch passes through H & F as part of a circuitous route from Camden to Westminster. tHere is an approximate timetable for events in our area:
1.53pm - entry into Fulham on Fulham Road
2.23pm - Torch reaches top of North End Road and lturns right into Hammersmith Road, leaving the borough and going into Kensington and Chelsea
3.06pm - Torch comes along Holland Park Road, re-entering the borough in Shepherd's Bush, where it travels around the green, goes up Wood Lane, passing through the site of the 1908 White City Olympics, now the home of BBC Worldwide, at around 3.25pm.
From there it goes down South Africa Road, past Loftus Road Stadium to Uxbridge Road, where it goes east, passing the green again and leaving the borough around 4.09pm
Though there are no official celebrations in Shepherd's Bush, Westfield is holding a free outdoor party with crafts for kids, free giveaways, entertainment from a live band and ribbon gymnasts and a visit from the England Netball Association. West 12 is also celebrating with special Family Fun Days today and tomorrow.
Residents will also get a second chance to see the Torch on Friday, July 27 as it passes on the river onboard the Royal barge Gloriana. The boat is expected to reach Furnivall Gardens in Hammersmith around 10.30am and Putney Bridge shortly afterwards on its way to Tower Bridge and then to Stratford for the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on Friday evening.
Fulham is marking the occasion with a special celebratory event in Jerdan Place, close to Fulham Broadway, which will run from 11am till 3pm with food, market stalls, music and performances.
Cllr Greg Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for residents’ services says: " Thursday and Friday represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic torch travel through the borough and I hope that people will get into the Olympic spirit to cheer it on."
The council is also reminding motorists to prepare for severe traffic disruption when the Torch is in the borough. Transport for London (TfL) will be putting rolling road closures in place throughout the day.
The council is advising residents and businesses to leave plenty of extra time if you need to drive and be prepared for significantly longer journeys.
July 26, 2012
