Businesses and residents in Greenwich affected by next year’s double London Marathon need clarity on the arrangements for the event, organisers have been told.
While those who live and work inside the area closed off by the race are used to the single day’s disruption the marathon usually causes, next year’s event will be over a weekend – April 24 and 25.
Some 100,000 people will take part, with female elite, championship and “good for age” athletes and elite para athletes leading the mass event on one day. Elite men will lead the second mass run on the other day.
The event, which runs from Greenwich Park and Blackheath to Westminster, is forecast to raise £150 million for charity. The first seven miles of the route are through the borough of Greenwich, with a further mile in Lewisham.
But two months after the weekend-long event was confirmed, there is still no news about the arrangements for residents and businesses in Blackheath, Greenwich, Charlton, Woolwich and Deptford.
Lord Duvall of Woolwich, the London Assembly member for Greenwich & Lewisham, said two consecutive days of disruption would have a significant impact on communities and has asked how elderly and less able residents who rely on healthcare packages being delivered in the daytime will be accommodated.
Duvall spoke a week before The Big Half, which is also organised by London Marathon Events, takes over parts of Deptford and Greenwich this Sunday.
“The London Marathon is one of the highlights of the year for southeast London,” the Labour assembly member said.
“It brings our communities together, gives local businesses a boost, showcases Blackheath, Greenwich, Deptford, Charlton and Woolwich to the world, and raises extraordinary amounts of money for charity.
“This expansion for 2027 is an exciting opportunity, but it is important that we get the details right. People need clear and early information about how they will be affected.
“That is why I am asking the London Marathon organisers, via GLA officials, for clarity over what additional steps they will take to communicate with residents, protect access for essential journeys, support local businesses and keep transport disruption to a minimum.”
For businesses in Charlton, the expansion could provide an opportunity for more trade with spectators who come to watch the runners in the early part of the race. But business owners suggested more needed to be done to turn the two-day race into an opportunity rather than a hindrance.
Simi Ghent, owner of Simi’s Italian Deli in Charlton Village, said: “This is our first year of trading so we’ve only had the marathon once – it did have a knock-on effect.
“People are not used to gathering in the village to support the runners, they’re drawn to Charlton House, which is further up. The village goes down in trade, they’re not drawn here to do their shopping and trade.
“Our best day is a Saturday. To have a marathon on both a Saturday and Sunday will see us lose a lot of trade. We don’t know how the local council will support us. It has the potential to work well for us, if we were to have the right support – but we don’t have any clarity yet. I rarely get any information about it.
“We are lucky because we own a business close to where we live, so we can walk to work – but others don’t, and won’t be able to make it into the village.”
Sir Sadiq Khan has supported the one-off expansion. In response to a written question about the impact on residents, the Mayor told Assembly Members in June that GLA officers were “engaging with London Marathon Events and borough partners to ensure that, if a two-day format is introduced, it is carefully planned and communicated”.
He added: “Mitigations include clear and early engagement with residents and businesses, co-ordinated road closure plans, and maintaining access for emergency services.
Hugh Brasher, the chief executive of London Marathon Events, said organisers were “working closely with boroughs along the route to minimise disruption for residents, businesses and local communities across both Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April”.
“Through ongoing engagement with borough representatives and communities, we are identifying and understanding residents’ needs in advance, including access requirements for carers, medical appointments and other essential journeys, so that plans can be put in place to support those affected,” he added.
“We hugely appreciate the support of residents along the route who help to make the event such a success every year. The 2027 Double London Marathon is a unique, one-off celebration for our capital that we hope will generate more than £150 million for charities and good causes over the weekend, creating a lasting positive impact for communities across London and beyond.”
A Greenwich Council spokesperson said it was working closely with organisers and the GLA to make sure appropriate mitigations were in place. They added: “We will make sure London Marathon provide residents and businesses with clear information about plans for both days.
“We expect road closures to open at the end of each day, as is the case with the traditional one-day marathon, to minimise disruption.
“Back-to-back marathons in 2027 will double the atmosphere and attract thousands more people to our borough and further boost the local economy. The marathon raises a huge amount of money for charity, and inspires residents to get active in our parks, open spaces and leisure centres.”
Kumail Jaffer is the Local Democracy Reporter covering London’s mayor and assembly. The Greenwich Wire is a partner in the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which is a BBC-funded initiative to ensure councils are covered properly in local media. Editing by Darryl Chamberlain.
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