The transport boss for the 2012 London Olympics says he is confident his organisation will address the concerns of hauliers that road restrictions during the games will damage their businesses.
Hugh Sumner, Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) transport director, says that the majority of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) - 232 sections of existing road giving athletes, officials and the media priority at peak times - will "not be
readily visible, will be short in duration, and only apply on a number of days".
The Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the route network, which will be in place during an as-yet-unconfirmed 60-day period between July and September 2012, covering both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sumner says hauliers concerned that the ORN will damage their businesses should make their case through these industry bodies.
About 0.5% of London's roads will become temporary dedicated Olympic lanes - although only on dual-carriageway offside lanes.
The ODA is due to create a set of traffic regulation orders early next year that will set out the restrictions to be introduced. Details of the ORN are available on a map created by Roadtransport.com.
Sumner says: "It will largely be a case of putting in a few 'no left turn'
signs here or tweaking a few traffic lights there.
"The orders have a timescale of two years, so there will be time for any potential problems to be addressed and amended orders to be introduced before the games, should any potential problems arise."
Reed Business Information Limited.©2009
