UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Olympic effort to get London moving ahead of the 2012 Games

Record ID: 330622

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: OLYMPICS - Olympic effort to get London moving ahead of the 2012 Games
  • Date: 18th April 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (RECENT) (REUTERS) PEOPLE WALKING IN FRONT OF STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 3rd May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom, United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA7UF59MXNX0LVN6UMHAWGFTUFS
  • Story Text: Across London upgrade work to the public transport system and road networks is being carried out at a feverish rate to get the capital ready for the 2012 Games.
    The city's overcrowded and old transport system ability to cope with an additional three million journeys on peak days is still one of the biggest challenges facing Games organisers.
    "There is a lot of hard work that is being done," said chairman of the London Games, Seb Coe.
    Recent reports of a leaked letter from members of parliament to government Olympics officials raising serious concerns over Heathrow's ability to cope have further fuelled the conviction that transport is the London Games' Achilles heel.
    Coe said Heathrow will not fail due to lack of border agents, numbers of which were cut during the government's spending review.
    "Home Office, Transport, our own teams here to make sure that we have an airport that is fit for purpose, that does what it needs under the extraordinary demands of the Olympic Games and I think it will work," he said.
    Transport for London (TfL) is spending around one billion pounds a year ($1.59 billion dollars) over the next decade to improve the creaking system.
    It's meant an intense period of track and upgrade works, which has thrown the network into disarray in recent years in an attempt to get the work done in time for the Games.
    "We are the oldest system in the world, we are almost 150 years old, and I can't guarantee a perfect service," said London Underground Chief Operating Officer Howard Collins.
    He said those trying to get around during the Games will have to think creatively if their normal route is delayed and find alternate routes.
    The Olympic Route Network (ORN), introduced after some athletes failed to arrive for their events in Atlanta 1996, is shaping up as one of the biggest irritants to Londoners who already have to endure long delays on the capital's narrow streets.
    Londoners have also been warned they face queues of up to 30 minutes on the underground rail network at certain "hotspots" during peak times.
    About 82,000 athletes, officials, media, sponsors and VIPs, will use the 109-mile ORN, which will also be open to general traffic except in certain areas. A third of the network will be made up of the more restrictive Games Lanes with fines for those who breach the painted lines.
    Many taxi drivers are threatening to go on holiday during the Games, fearing gridlock on the streets.
    Taxi drivers at Trafalgar Square told Reuters traffic during the Games will be horrific.
    "Chaos, it will be chaotic I think. Too many roadworks," one said.
    "It'll be terrible. It will start in June and when the Olympics come, unless a lot of people go away and normal traffic's there, we won't get about," said another.
    Transport officials have launched a public awareness campaign, urging people to visit the website (www.getaheadofthegames.com) and Twitter for up-to-date information and tips on how to dodge congested areas.
    Coe said people will have to accept that this summer, the capital will be different to normal.
    "It is very important that we remember that this is a celebration and a city. It will look different, it will be different, getting about it will be different, but we will do everything we possibly can to make sure that it works for those that are involved in the Games and those that aren't involved in the Games," he said.
    Train capacity on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), one of the main routes into Stratford, has been increased by 50 percent, while frequency and reliability had been improved on other key routes, officials said.
    Underground trains will run an hour later than usual during the Games while 200 more buses will be running and more pay-and-ride bikes will be available for hire.
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