July 29 - Special "Games Lanes" totalling near 60 miles will be introduced on key roads to speed athletes and officials to the 2012 London Olympics, plans launched today have shown.



The lanes will be in addition to the Olympic Route Network (ORN) which will be roadwork free, cover 2.5 per cent of London's roads, will be used by 82,000 people and cost around £25 million ($39 million). 

The lanes will include the areas around Wembley Stadium in West London, Lord's cricket ground where the archery will take place, through central London and out to the main Games site at Stratford and also out to Greenwich in South London.

The ORN, which will include measures such as closing side roads, banning turns and altering traffic light sequences, will comprise more than 100 miles in London and around 170 miles outside London.

The ORN will be used by 18,000 athletes and officials during the Olympics as well as 6,000 during the Paralympics.

Among those also eligible to use the ORN will be judges, referees and umpires, around 28,000 representatives of the media and 25,000 sponsors and their guests.

Transport Minister Theresa Villiers says "experience in other host cities shows how vital this network is."

The special lanes will be located in one or both directions and a decision on which lane is used - offside, middle or nearside - will depend on the road layout.

Most will be on the offside as experiences of special lanes in previous Games have shown this is the least disruptive option.

John Armitt, chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) which announced the transport plans, said: "We have been working closely with our partners to take our operational planning to the next level and will continue to consult with Londoners on the plans.

"Where Games Lanes are required there will inevitably be some temporary disruption to everyday life, but we must give athletes the best chance to train and compete effectively.

"That means ensuring they get to their events on time and minimising the time they spend travelling."



Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson defended the introduction of the ORN and claimed that Londoners would ultimately be the main ones to benefit.

He said: "Other host cities have learnt the hard way the importance of having a well-organised and efficient transport system when hosting an Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Make no mistake - this is absolutely critical to a successful Games and, without it, we will not be able to move around athletes, officials and the media with the necessary degree of certainty.

"These plans strike an appropriate balance between the demands of hosting this unique event and the day-to-day needs of residents and businesses.

"The considerable improvements to transport in London and other host cities to support the ORN will have long-term benefits for locals after the Games."

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Thousands of visitors from around the world will descend on our great city in 2012 and transport will be critical to ensuring we deliver a Games that London can be proud of.

"The capital will be in the spotlight and temporary measures such as the Olympic Route Network will play a crucial role.

"But their contribution must also be weighed against a phenomenal investment in new transport infrastructure.

"Improvements like those happening at Stratford regional station, the doubling in capacity of the Docklands Light Railway, the superb new East London Line and the new Kings Cross ticket hall are already delivering an early legacy of improvements for Londoners."

To read full details of the proposed Olympic lanes and ORN click here.


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