By Tom Degun at the Main Press Centre on the Olympic Park in London

London 2012_transportJuly 24 - Justine Greening, the Secretary of State for Transport, has promised that travel disruption during the London 2012 Olympics will be kept down to "the lowest possible level" for commuters.


Transport is widely seen as the biggest challenge for London 2012 given that the capital is one of the busiest cities on the planet and is expected to have over one million extra visitors for the Olympics.

Transport for London (TfL) have advised people to avoid traveling in the city where possible during the Games but Greening said that there is no chance of the capital grinding to a halt despite the increased pressure on the transport system.

"There will, of course, be disruption," said Greening at a press conference here.

"It is almost impossible to have the greatest show on earth arrive in London and not to have some queues and some disruption.

"But the plans we have in place should hopefully minimise that down to the lowest possible level and if Londoners can work with us, hopefully we will be able to enjoy a fantastic Games."

Greening also encouraged all VIPs in London for the Olympics, including sponsors, to take public transport during the Games rather than their designated lanes as it would be the most effective method of transport.

"Obviously who can use the Games lanes is something that is a decision for LOCOG [London 2012]," she said.

"I think the Prime Minister has been absolutely right to encourage, strongly encourage I should say, Ministers to use public transport.

"I have done and I am doing.

"We want everybody to use it.

"I think it would be great if the sponsors could give public transport a go.

"Frankly, it is a great way to get to the Games; it will get them there quickly, reliably and quickly.

Games Lane_July_25_Designated special lane (left) for London 2012 Olympic vehicles 

"We encourage everybody to use public transport.

"We've invested a lot of money, we put in a lot of effort and actually it should be something that everybody could use.

"I would encourage the media to use it as well if they want to help reduce pressure on the ORN [Olympic Route Network]."

Peter Hendy, the TfL Commissioner, also urged the public to be weary of the ORN.

"ORN is a requirement for all host cities," he said.

"The busiest sections of it are expected to see 1,300 vehicles an hour or more.

"Some of it has Games Lanes; not all of it.

"They are signed with variable message signs and it will be quite clear when they are operative and when they are not.

"Our objective is to get the Games family to where they need to be reliably but not to disrupt London and Londoners more than we can avoid it.

"It will get busy; it has got busy already.

"People do need to plan in advance; do not get caught out.

"Our advice to motorists now is to avoid driving in central London, around the ORN, and the Games venues from now on if you can, because they clearly are busy already with the setting up of the sports events, and then we have a whole variety of individual events.

"So our advice to Londoners, people who work in London, people coming to the Games, is plan in advance, look at the websites, don't chance it, don't get caught out, please plan in advance, and you will have a successful time."

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