Wembley design launch

By Michael Gordon



Designs for the new Wembley Stadium were launched last week, coinciding with the formation of Wembley task force - set up to regenerate the surrounding area.

The new 90,000-seater stadium, complete with partially retracting roof, was welcomed by football legend, Sir Bobby Charlton, who said that it would be the finest stadium in the world.

However, the project is expected to cost £475 million - £155 million more than the original estimate.

Architect Lord Foster said that he could not justify an additional £20 million to make the roof fully retractable, instead it will cover the spectators within 15 minutes, and retract to allow maximum light penetration to the pitch.

Lord Foster also said that attempts to preserve the twin towers had been thwarted by the cost of at least £20 million. In place of the towers will be four 137m masts, which Lord Foster said are the 21st century equivalent of the towers, and will be visible from central London.

There will also be a five-star hotel, shops, a banqueting hall and office space, but car parking facilities have been halved as a result of the extended stadium grounds.

Coinciding with the launch of the designs, the Government announced the formation of a task force charged with bringing jobs, housing and improved transport services to the area surrounding Wembley.

The task force's goal will be to maximise the area's opportunities and create the framework for signing up major private sector investment. Regeneration minister Richard Caborn said: "The task force will foster private sector confidence to grasp the opportunities that the building of the new stadium will provide."

Leading the task force is Slough Estates' chairman Sir Nigel Mobbs. First year funding of £750,000 has been agreed.

Sir Nigel said: "Wembley is in a good location with excellent transport connections, but the area has been in decline for a number of years. The new national stadium will help generate business and improve transport, providing an employment-boosting development for the people of North-west London."

Building work on the new stadium will begin next summer and is due to be completed in 2003.