March 20 - The Royal Artillery Barracks at Woolwich will struggle to host the shooting during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson (pictured) told insidethegames today.

 

Robertson had backed a plan to move the sport to the National Shooting Centre (NSC) at Bisley but the London 2012 Board yesterday decided to keep it at Woolwich.

 

The Conservative MP, a former soldier who served in the first Gulf War and Sarajevo, is now predicting major operational problems in using the Barracks.

 

Robertson is uniquely placed to comment as he also commanded one of The Household Cavalry's Mounted Squadrons on The Queen's Birthday Parade, the State Opening of Parliament and a number of State Visits.

 

He said: "I know from my own time in the army that the mix of an operational ceremonial unit, in The King's Troop, the construction and testing of an Olympic shooting venue and accompanying security challenge will be difficult to manage."

 

Robertson is also concerned about a number of other issues.

 

He told insidethegames: "I am also told that there may be difficulties keeping the local Accident and Emergency fully functional during construction.

"Finally, because of the security requirements, sporting venues in army barracks are not always open to the public so real question marks exist over the true legacy value of a Woolwich facility."
 

The decision to stick with Woolwich has also been criticised by Barking and Dagenham Council, who had offered what they claimed was an easier, simple and more environmentally friendly venue at Barking Riverside.

 

Rob Whiteman, the chief executive of Barking and Dagenham Council, said:"We are disappointed that our bid was not successful, as we feel we provided the most cost effective proposal.

 

"With the spiralling cost of the Games, we submitted a cheap alternative that would result in substantial savings for the ODA (Olympic Delivery Authority) as well as providing a lasting sporting legacy."