Cameron Forced to Ditch Olympics Site Cycle Trip

Heavy snow has forced David Cameron to abandon a cycle trip around the London Olympics site.

The Conservative leader, on his first trip to the east London venue, had intended to tour the 500-acre site on two wheels.

Instead, Mr Cameron was forced by the heavy blanket of snow to tour the site by foot instead.

Hugo Squire, the shadow culture secretary who is accompanying the Tory leader, joked: "Clearly, we are on to the 'wet weather' programme - so no cycling."

"There are men in white hats getting on with it, and we are getting on with it, despite the weather."

The Tories announced today a guiding committee of property developers and the former commissioner of the Metropolitan police, Lord Stevens, to advise Mr Cameron on progress on the Olympics.

Although the Tories backed the 2012 bid and games, the committee will scrutinise any shortcomings.

With a general election guaranteed by 2010 at the latest, there is a possibility the Conservatives could be in government by the time of the games.

As well as Lord Stevens, the panel will consist of Sir John Ritblat, a former chief executive and chairman of the British Land Company PLC, and Ronald Barrot, the chief executive of property developers Aldar.

They will advise on costs, timetable, delivery, security and the environmental legacy.

Mr Cameron said: "We are excited and enthusiastic about the potential of the 2012 Olympics. We want these to be the best games ever, and our ambition is that they benefit London and the whole country.

"That is why it is so important that we get things right. We are forming this committee to make sure that the Olympics are a success and that they leave a positive legacy in the long run."

Yesterday the Olympics board closed the door on the possibility of the stadium being used after the games by West Ham United or any other premiership football club, saying that it would cause too many design
changes and time delays.

The stadium's capacity will shrink from 80,000 to 25,000 seats after the games.

Organisers want athletics to be the stadium's major use but feel that multi-sports, school, community and commercial use could help make it commercially viable.