Logistics firms performed outstandingly throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games. Transport for London has thanked companies for the way they responded and industry associations have reported no discernible problems.
“The Olympics have been a huge success for not only the athletes but also for the freight industry,” said Natalie Chapman, FTA head of policy for London.
“The years of planning that FTA members put in ahead of the games has certainly has paid off, and it looks like the clear messages that Transport for London have been providing have been heeded.”
RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning congratulated Transport for London on its planning for the event. “Whether by public transport or use of the Olympic Route Network, they certainly fulfilled their task of keeping London moving and it’s good to know that based on the past two weeks, the Paralympics will run equally smoothly.
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And CILT chief executive Steve Agg said: “Logistics, passenger transport and transport planning professionals can all be proud of the way in which London has performed over recent weeks. The challenge now is to ensure that the operational lessons learned during this period are consolidated into future best practice for the benefit of London’s businesses, consumers, road users, residents and visitors. All such best practice learnings should also be applied to other areas of the UK.”
Chapman said: “FTA members seem to have coped very well, the roads are much quieter than expected, and the predicted transport chaos did not materialise and some parts of the Olympic Route Network traffic has been better than usual… We have been in daily contact with Transport for London who has helped us keep our members up-to-date with the latest information.”
The RHA also congratulated the transport operators, transport managers and the HGV drivers involved in delivering the 2012 Olympics; saying their contribution made the whole two weeks of games and events possible. “It is inevitable that any large occasion will have its logistical pitfalls. However, I am absolutely thrilled that an event of this magnitude was delivered on time and without any discernible problem,” said Dunning.
And last week, London’s transport commissioner Peter Hendy thanked operators for the way they had dealt with the problems created by the Games. “I’ve also been tremendously impressed with the response from both businesses and the freight and distribution industry,” he said.
* Transport for London has set out details of the Paralympic route network which will come into force from Wednesday 29th August, following the dramatic finale to the Olympics on Sunday.
The network. It will have 8.7 miles of Games Lanes on the routes between the City of London, where the International Paralympic Committee will be based, the Olympic Park and other venues, including ExCeL, the North Greenwich Arena, Greenwich Park and Royal Artillery Barracks.
Just as under ORN operation, a penalty charge of £130 will be issued to owners of vehicles who break the PRN regulations in London, including driving in Games Lanes or stopping along the route and any illegally parked vehicle will be removed to a vehicle pound and may incur a release fee of £200.
The Olympic Route Network is still with us for a little longer. Restrictions are due to end at midnight on Tuesday when the vast majority of athletes, officials and media have left London.
The 109-mile ORN includes 30 miles of Games Lanes. All physical measures on the ORN will be removed by the morning of Thursday 16th August.
Throughout the Olympic Games, only around 40 per cent of Games Lanes were in operation at any one time, meaning the remaining 60 per cent were open to general traffic.
