London 2012: Changes made to Olympic Route Network

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Friday, August 3, 2012
11:42 AM

Changes have been made to the Olympic Route Network (ORN) overnight.

Transport for London (TfL) said it was constantly monitoring the ORN, a network of roads connecting the venues of the Games which includes the suspension of bus lanes and loading bays, and making adjustments based on traffic flows and the requirements of venues.

The organisation said over the course of the Olympic Games so far, less than 40 per cent of Games Lanes - lanes exclusively for the use of the Games family including athletes, officials and media - have been in operation.

A number of changes to the ORN were made overnight and came into operation this morning.

Taxis will now be able to turn left and right onto Westminster Bridge from Waterloo. The left turn for general traffic from Marble Arch to Great Cumberland Place, and the left turn from Vernon Place onto A4200 Southampton Row have both been reintroduced.

In addition the zebra crossing on Seymour Street has been introduced.

Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director surface transport, said: “We remain committed to keeping disruption to an absolute minimum and we continue to review and amend traffic restrictions whenever possible – to reduce the impact on road users.

“More alterations will follow as venues cease operation, and we’ll continue to keep Londoners and businesses, including freight, taxi and private hire drivers informed.”

TfL said the road network around Wimbledon would have restrictions lifted once events finished at the venue, and that changes including the reintroduction of pedestrian crossings at Lower Thames Street/Southwark Bridge (west side) and at Old Billingsgate Market were already being reintroduced.