Race is on to name Olympic neighbourhoods - have your say

Hundreds of people have already submitted names for the five new neighbourhoods that will spring up on the Olympic site after next year’s Games.

Almost 1,000 have put forward suggestions as part of the Your Park, Your Place competition, which gives local people the chance to shape east London’s history.

Among the more imaginative suggestions are Hoy Gateway, after cyclist Chris Hoy, Redgravia, after Sir Steve Redgrave, and The Sidings, in recognition of Stratford’s railway past.

Following the 2012 Olympics, the Queen Elizabeth Park — which spans the border of Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets — will accommodate 8,000 new homes.

There will also be sporting venues — including the Olympic Stadium — schools, nurseries, health centres and four miles of waterways.

People have just one month left to add to the 1,000 suggestions already received by the Olympic Park Legacy Company (OPLC).

Chief executive Andrew Altman said: “We have had an incredible response to our competition, which has captured the imagination of people of all ages from across the UK, and provoked some really inventive thinking and fascinating stories.

“But we want more. This is your chance to shape London’s history. Whether it’s a name connected to the rich history of the area, or a connection to London life, we want to hear from you.”

Entries will be judged by a panel including representatives from the three boroughs, as well as neighbouring Waltham Forest, central government, the Museum of London and the OPLC.

The first neighbourhood to be developed after the Olympics, with work starting in 2013, will be the north-east of the park, between the velopark and the athlete’s village.

It will include 800 new homes, a health clinic and two nurseries and the first families will begin moving in from 2015.

The other four neighbourhoods will be developed over the next 20 years.

Suggestions can be made via the OPLC’s website at www.legacycompany.co.uk

It features an interactive map with artist’s impressions and historical information to help generate ideas for the new neighbourhoods.