The London 2012 Olympic Games pose a huge transport challenge – which is why plans
are already in place to minimize disruption to the capital’s economy
The process of preparing for London’s moment of glory in 2012 can be seen right
across the capital. Construction sites will give way to new stadiums, buildings
will be given a makeover and transport links will be overhauled as the Olympics
and Paralympic Games roll into town.
With more than 26 million people visiting each year, organizing transport around
London can be tricky at the best of times. The Olympics up the ante significantly:
on each of the 16 days of the Games, Londoners will share their roads with at least
500,000 spectators, 140,000 Games workers and 55,000 members of the ‘Games family’
(athletes, officials and media), travelling between competition venues, training
sites and accommodation. It will constitute the largest peacetime movement of people
the capital has ever seen.
Getting visitors from A to B is a key priority for organizers of any major event.
But businesses will have worries of their own: how will their ordinary operations,
from getting employees to work to getting goods in and out of London, be affected
by the disruption?
Val Shawcross, Chair of the GLA Transport Committee, says that an efficient transport
network is key to the success of London 2012, but that it should not impact on the
smooth running of the city. “There needs to be a balance between providing the efficient
transport arrangements for athletes, officials and visitors that will help deliver
a successful Games, while making sure the rest of London is not brought to a standstill,”
she says.
Traffic management measures and restrictions will be implemented by the Olympic
Delivery Authority (ODA), with special Olympic and Paralympics Route Networks (ORN
& PRN) set up. These will cover 2.6% of London’s roads and will include road
and junction alterations, diversions, parking and loading restrictions as well as
‘Games Lanes’, which can only be used by athletes, officials, media and Games partners.
Extra security measures may also have an impact on the transport network.
In response to the likely disruption, DHL has developed a planning strategy for
2012 and is engaging with the ODA and Transport for London to mitigate any negative
impact for its customers. Potential measures that may be adopted during the Games
include: adapting delivery schedules (for example, increasing overnight deliveries
to avoid daytime restrictions and congestion); adapting delivery routes; and consolidating
vehicle loads. Secondary measures such as setting up parallel supply chains can
also be implemented if necessary. Getting there will be a challenge for all concerned
– but business is determined to play its part if London 2012 is to become the
spectacular success its organizers expect.
