Monday, July 30, 2012

London transport clears hurdle

30 July 2012 Last updated at 10:17 GMT By Michael Hirst BBC 2012 David Cameron: "I've been on the Tube this morning, it is not too bad"

London's transport network has passed its first big test of the Games: the combination of commuters and Games spectators during Monday morning's rush hour.

London workers seem to have heeded warnings that extra restrictions and Games Lanes combined with spectator congestion might result in nightmare commutes - and changed their patterns.

With sports events taking place from east London's Olympic Park and Greenwich, through the city centre, and out to Wimbledon and Wembley, there are restrictions around 10 sports venues in the city.

The Olympic Route Network is in action with 30 miles of Games Lanes for the "Olympic family".

Organisers anticipated one million extra visitors in London to make some three million journeys on public transport - a 25 percent increase on the city's daily staple 12m public transport journeys.

But transport bosses' warnings of possible delays and advice about "rerouting, retiming and remoding" journeys seem to have been heeded, as they were on Friday when London's traffic levels were around 15 percent lower than normal ahead of London 2012's opening ceremony.

'Reroute, remode, retime'

Roads seem no more jammed than normal, train and tube lines were running well.

Continue reading the main story

Today all eyes are on London Bridge: It will be the busiest day of the Games - if not ever - for the rather old station.

It is normally at capacity during peak times and 50,000 more spectators heading through it will be a huge challenge.

The station struggled during the Jubilee - much to the anger of passengers - and has taken the unprecedented step of making six platforms exit-only from 18:00 to 22:00.

That means passengers commuting to Kent will have to catch their trains at other stations like Charing Cross - which will cause confusion.

Connecting tube lines like the Jubilee line will also be under huge pressure.

Unless you like queues, I would avoid it.

The overall impression from commuters was of less crowding, more helpful staff - including both station officials and an extra 3,500 TfL back office staff in unmistakable pink and purple Travel Ambassador uniforms - and an Olympic spirit befitting the warm summer sunshine.

At Victoria underground station, the announcer's "Stand behind the yellow line" before the train departed was replaced by "Ready. Set. Go!"

Prime Minister David Cameron gave a positive review of a ride on the Bakerloo line.

Even at London Bridge, where passengers have their own Olympic time trial today - diverted away from the usual routes in case of overcrowding - there were no complaints.

But this is a marathon, not a sprint.

At London Bridge, platforms one to six, which are used by trains bound for Kent, will be exit only from 18:00 until 22:00 BST as 50,000 equestrian spectators all head home from Greenwich Park during the evening peak.

And the crunch transport test comes on Friday - the first full day of athletics in Stratford's 80,000-seat Olympic stadium.

While commuters seem to have successfully "rerouted, remoded and retimed" journeys so far, concerns remain they will see the clear routes, get complacent and fall back into old habits.

'Avoid London Bridge'

Monday sees Olympic events taking place at:

Olympic Park: Aquatics Centre, Basketball Arena, Copper Box, Riverbank Arena, Water Polo ArenaRiver Zone: ExCeL, North Greenwich Arena, Greenwich Park, Royal Artillery BarracksCentral London: Earls Court, Lord's Cricket Ground, Horse Guards ParadeSouth/West: Wimbledon, Wembley Arena

It is the first time we can gauge whether commuters have registered the warnings of transport authorities, says BBC London's transport correspondent Tom Edwards.

Are Londoners willing to change their well-worn travel habits to make way for Olympic spectators?

The capital is awash with Games spectators who might think oysters are for eating, standing on the right is for politicians and that the commuters' speed-walking style is for, well, Olympians. Not all of them will speak English.

Reporting from Oxford Circus Tube Station, the BBC's Robert Hall says the public transport is "pretty good"

The day's main concern centred around the narrow corridors and winding pathways between London Bridge's Tube and mainline platforms.

Pink signage and barriers were in place to guide passengers through the station, while officials were using loud-hailers to provide the latest transport information.

The Jubilee line and Docklands Light Railway were expected to be busy all day - especially when spectators start to leave Greenwich Park from 17:00.

Tube and train stations used to reach Greenwich, such as Canary Wharf and Bank, were also set to be busier.

"With hundreds of thousands of spectators going to events across the capital, it's vital people plan ahead to avoid the travel hotspots," said London Underground's Managing Director Mike Brown.

"London Bridge will be exceptionally busy and spectators going to the equestrian event at Greenwich Park are advised avoid the station."

Get ahead of the Games

The best alternative options for passengers avoiding London Bridge are Cannon Street, Charing Cross and Victoria, said Robin Gisby, Network Rail managing director of network operations.

Meanwhile, the Piccadilly and District lines was expected to be busy with spectators heading to Wimbledon and Earls Court for events, and the beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade was expected to increase crowds at Embankment.

At Stratford, where the Olympic Park is hosting swimming, water polo, hockey and basketball events, one pinch point was expected to be the bridge between Westfield and the station.

Passengers have been advised to use the District Line via West Ham or take a train from Liverpool Street for a quicker route to the Olympic Park.

On the roads, transport bosses have urged drivers to avoid London if at all possible, to help minimise congestion.

Those intending to travel in the city are warned to leave extra time for their journeys and plan ahead by using a dedicated transport advice website.

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