For over three decades Crystal Palace has been a cornerstone of London’s climbing community. As the city’s oldest dedicated bouldering wall it has introduced thousands to the sport, produced national-level athletes, supported local schools and charities and built a reputation as one of the most inclusive and welcoming climbing facilities in London.

Now, however, the future of climbing at Crystal Palace is at serious risk and time is nearly at an end.

The Greater London Authority’s plans for the National Sports Centre are ambitious, exciting and much needed. The NSC and its grounds are long overdue for investment, and the proposals for the wider site are genuinely impressive. We welcome their commitment to revitalising such an iconic venue for London.

After eight years of lobbying by the climbing community and local stakeholders, the Mayor of London’s team have finally shared their plans for climbing at Crystal Palace, with only two months remaining before they apply for planning permission.

Unfortunately the designs fall far short of what is required. 

Independent analysis has found that the plans, in their current iteration, would be financially unviable and operationally unsafe, meaning it's highly unlikely that any professional operator could justify investing in or operating such a facility. If the plans go ahead as they stand, it is likely that climbing will be lost from Crystal Palace altogether.

Climbing has been one of the fastest-growing sports nationally and internationally for the past decade, with higher national monthly participation than almost every activity currently offered at the NSC (Sport England – Active Lives Survey). It is baffling that a sport with such strong demand is being allocated so little space in the plans, especially when many traditional athletics and track-and-field disciplines have some of the lowest participation levels in the country yet are receiving more than £180 million in infrastructure and investment.

We are therefore calling on the GLA to reconsider their plans and include space for a dedicated, fit-for-purpose climbing centre within the redevelopment, one that reflects the scale, history and rapid growth of the sport in the UK and local area.

Please sign this petition to protect the future of climbing at Crystal Palace. With planning permission due in two months, time is short. Add your name today to help ensure climbing remains part of Crystal Palace’s future.