The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) needs to provide more detailed information and strike a better balance between transporting Games officials and enabling Londoners to go about their everyday lives, Borough and business representatives told the Transport Committee.

Questions have been raised about the size of the 'Games family' who will be able to use Olympic Route Network 'Games lanes'.

Current proposals give 82,000 people access to the lanes, of which only 18,000 are athletes and officials.

Sponsors make up one of the largest groups in the 'family', at around 25,000.

Chair of the Transport Committee, Val Shawcross, said: "All spectators will be encouraged to use public transport, walk or cycle to and from events.

"Could some members of the Games family - particularly sponsors - be convinced to do the same?

"Many Londoners will need to go about their normal everyday lives during the 2012 Games."

The Olympic Route Network could also restrict the times businesses can receive deliveries, re-route some buses and mean the removal of a number of pedestrian crossings.

Boroughs are yet to receive full details about potential effects in their local areas, or how they will be expected to enforce the network.

"Businesses will need supplies and employees to arrive on time," added Shawcross.

"There needs to be a balance between providing the efficient transport arrangements for athletes, officials and visitors that will help deliver a successful Games, while making sure the rest of London is not brought to a standstill."

Committee members also heard there is a real need for more work to make the transport network more accessible for people with reduced mobility in time for 2012, and doubts about the credibility of the ODA's assumptions about a fall in normal demand for public transport during the Games.

The Committee will raise the issues covered in today's hearing with the ODA and Transport for London at a public meeting in January.

The Committee's findings will seek to inform the ODA's third edition of the 2012 Transport Plan.


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