THE announcement the Olympic cycle route will definitely not pass through Barnet has been slammed by a Tory councillor.

Original plans had the road race, one of the first events in the 2012 games hosted in London, passing through a section of the borough around Hampstead Heath and The Bishops Avenue.

However, this morning it was officially revealed the new course will take in some more historic landmarks, meaning no events will take place in Barnet at all.

All Londoners have been paying a subsidy towards the hosting of the games over the past few years.

Councillor Robert Rams said: “While Barnet taxpayers have been contributing to the Olympic Games financially they will not reap any of the rewards, but the residents of Dorking and Weymouth, will have the privilege of an event taking place on their doorstep.

"We have worked closely with The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) in the run up to the Games to make sure Barnet got its fair share of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but feel this has now been snatched away from us at the last minute.

"For a games which has been branded 'one for all Londoners', I find it hard to believe that the organising committee could not find an alternative route which would allow Barnet residents to be involved.

"I'm bitterly disappointed they have come to their final decision without taking on board the concerns and suggestions we raised with them."