London 2012 Games lanes: Traffic delays of two hours

[Omah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18953088

Drivers coming into London have faced delays of up to two hours after new restrictions came into force for the Olympics.

Lane restrictions have begun to be applied on the A12, A13 and A40.

By 11:20 BST the situation on the three roads had improved, although there was still some congestion with delays on approach roads.

Transport for London had warned journeys on the roads may take "considerably longer than usual".

One motorist who called BBC London from the A13 said his normal hour-long drive from Swanley to Redbridge had already taken far longer than normal and he expected it to take about two and a half hours.

There was particularly heavy traffic on local roads in Canning Town and West Ham in east London.

And congestion was also seen in central London, with delays in Whitehall, Shaftesbury Avenue and Trafalgar Square.

The Mall is also closed due to Olympic preparations and motorists told of delays in Greenwich.

There have been changes to 120 key junctions, with more than 1,000 sets of traffic lights rephased due to the Games.

A fine of £130 will be issued to drivers who break the regulations, for instance by driving in Games lanes or stopping along the route.

The changes are part of the establishment of the Olympic Route Network, which is intended to make sure athletes and officials can move around the city smoothly.

It is due to begin full operation on Wednesday.

Stay outta London !