The special transport provisions for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games are to be finalised early this year, including the proposed 'Games Lanes' within the routes, which have been the subject of some controversy, reports Paul Bennett.
The measures include establishing the Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network (the ORN and PRN respectively). These routes were formally designated by the Secretary of State in 2009. The ORN and PRN will be mainly within London, linking central London accommodation with the Olympic Park and other major venues. They will also extend continuously to venues outside London where the sailing is being held.
Within the ORN and PRN efforts will be made to ensure that there
are no road works or other measures during the Games which could
slow traffic or create congestion. Games Lanes will be a smaller
network within the ORN and PRN which will be exclusive to athletes,
journalists and members of the 'Olympic Family', to allow
essential persons to reach events on time.
The routes are to be implemented using Traffic Regulation Orders,
which require a statutory consultation period before they can be
applied. In London the process
of adopting the Orders is being led by TfL, and outside London the
ODA is working in conjunction with local authorities and the
Highways Agency to secure the routes. Formal consultations are
presently ongoing with routes scheduled for operation from July
2012 for the duration of the Games. Individuals wishing to
make representations can check the progress of the Orders
establishing specific routes on TfL's website or the website of the
relevant local highways authority for routes outside
London.
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