Posted on October 06, 2011 by Fiona Hilliard

Like Sardines: London Commuters

Niggling worries that next year’s London Olympic Games could cause traffic delays for London commuters and visitors getting around town with car rental London have been given some credence by a new report sent to businesses by Transport for London.

As an estimated 5.3 million people head to London next year for the Olympics, commuters are being warned that anyone travelling to and from work could endure twice the journey time.

However, Transport Minister Theresa Villiers says she has every confidence that Tfl will be ready to cope with the extra passenger numbers.

She explained that the group was committed to making sure that the transport network would be able to get people wherever they needed to go during what is being touted as the biggest event that the city has eve hosted.

She said there would be some level of disruption, but the transport system in London was capable of responding to the extra pressure. She continued by saying that businesses were working side by side with Tfl but admitted that more work was needed to be done by summer 2012.

Passengers have already been told that there will be tail-backs at London’s busiest stations, including Victoria and London Bridge.

According to a London Assembly report, published in April, transport issues are likely to present headaches during the Olympics.

So-called ‘Games Lanes’ which will be set up for the special use of VIPs and athletes by closing off sections of the road.  These are also likely to cause traffic problems in some parts of the city.