18/08/2010 - 2012 Olympic Route Network

London 2012 announced preliminary plans for the Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network (ORN/PRN).

The aim of the ORN/PRN is to help people who are essential to the Games get to the venues, but also to ensure that millions of Londoners are able to go about their business with as little disruption as possible.  Two and a half per cent of London’s roads will be designated as part of the Network, which will be road free and subject to measures such as traffic signal timing changes.  Most roads on the ORN/PRN will remain fully open for general traffic.

These plans form an important part of the contractual commitment that London made when it was awarded the Games to ensure that the 82,000 members of Games Family travel safely, securely and efficiently between venues while managing the significant demands that will be placed on the transport network during the Games.

London 2012 has emphasised the importance of keeping London and the UK moving during the Games. Therefore, the ORN/PRN will be temporary, proportionate, tailored to the local area they pass through and only used when needed. Where possible, “mass movement” by bus and coach will be used.

The roads on the networks are divided into four categories:

  • Core: routes between accommodation, the Olympic Park and other main venues that will be heavily used by the Games Family. These roads are entirely within London.
  • Venue-specific: routes linking other competition venues, accommodation locations and international arrival points. Many of these routes will only operate when the venues are in use.
  • Training venues: routes linking preferred training venues to the rest of the ORN and PRN. These need to be free from obstruction before and during the Games to allow athletes to travel between their training venues and events.
  • Alternative: routes used in the event of problems occurring on one of the core or venue-specific routes.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will have a range of temporary powers given to them by the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006 to develop traffic management measures to help ensure reliable traffic flow during the Games, including the use of temporary Games Lanes which were used with great success in Beijing, Athens and Sydney.

More information about the ORN and PRN can be found on the London 2012 website at www.london2012.com/orn.

In the coming months, London 2012 will continue to engage with the business community, including the London Business Network, as part of their statutory consultation process.  We want to ensure your views are taken into consideration so would be pleased to receive your thoughts on the current proposals. 

From Autumn 2010, the ODA will share detailed plans more widely. This will give people who live or trade on the ORN/PRN and interest groups the chance to find out more information about the proposed measures and comment on the proposals.

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