‘VIP’ lanes for Olympic traffic are set to cause disruption for Londoners for the duration of the 2012 games
Around 60 miles of routes in the West End, and in East London around the Olympic Park, Greenwich Park and the North Greenwich Arena will get lanes specifically for Olympic athletes, VIPs, sponsors, official guests and the media.
“It will mean inconvenience for London drivers for 17 days of the game,” said London Mayor Boris Johnson. “I can't pretend that during that period you will be able to bomb along the Embankment. I hope that Londoners will understand that some modest inconvenience at Games time is a price worth paying for a happy Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Still more roads will face significant restrictions, despite remaining open to the public, including the temporary removal of parking bays and the closure of side roads.
Drivers who break the rules and drive in the restricted lanes – which will of course be monitored by CCTV – will face a £200 fine.
The Olympic routes won’t just affect London either – similar restrictions will be set up in Eton, where the rowing will take place, Broxbourne in Hertfordshire where the white water rafting is to be held, Southend for the mountain biking, and Weymouth for the sailing.
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