The surprise news today is that the Olympic canoe events will not be at Broxbourne but alongside Waltham Lock.Â
The new site is the large grass area immediately west of the river and known as Cheshunt Marsh or the Lee Valley Showground. Walkers from the north often use it as a short cut to Waltham Cross Station.Â
This venue change for the White Water Canoe Centre has been approved by the International Canoe Federation (ICF), the International Olympic Committee and the British Olympic Association.
The original site just east of Broxbourne Station was found to be unsuitable due to contamination of the ground. The new site is six miles closer to the Olympic Park to the south.
Construction is due to begin in early next year with the venue completed for training and testing in 2010.Â