London Councils call for more 2012 info

London Councils has called for more information about transport plans being made for the 2012 Olympics.

The cross party organisation is concerned that boroughs have not been fully consulted by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) about planned traffic arrangements for the roads surrounding Olympic venues in their areas.

It believes the ODA should be sharing more information with boroughs, particularly on the traffic impact of their proposals, in order to allow boroughs to plan effectively for alternative arrangements.
London Councils has also asked for the Olympic Route Network - a network of roads linking Games venues which will give priority to certain users - to be restricted to use by athletes and officials only, and not sponsors and media partners.

The organisation says increasing the number of people eligible to use the ORN from 47,000 to around 77,000 would result in far more disruption to Londoners. It highlighted the extra burden on borough roads caused by the suspension of parking bays and diversions caused by the lane closures and banned turns on some main roads.

Responding to the second version of the ODA's draft transport plan, London Councils has called on the ODA to work with outer London boroughs to prevent parking problems around railway and Underground stations caused by spectators driving to the outskirts of the capital before taking public transport to the Olympic venues.

London Councils is also concerned that boroughs are not mentioned in the list of organisations involved in planning security, although they will be affected by road closures and the suspension of parking bays for security reasons.

The chairman of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, Councillor Mike Fisher, said: "It is fantastic that the Olympics are being held in London but we have serious concerns about the lack of information about transport plans from the Olympic Delivery Authority.

"Boroughs want to work closely on these plans with the ODA and be involved in making decisions about the closure of parking bays or roads, which will have a big impact on the flow of traffic through their area.

"While it is important to get athletes, officials and spectators to the venues in good time for the events, disruption should be kept to a minimum for people who live and work in the capital."