Olympic traffic lanes spark controversy

The prime minister’s spokesman described the lanes as a “requirement” imposed on Transport for London (TFL) by the Olympic organisers, the Guardian reported.

The lanes, which run to 30 miles, are to be in full use from Wednesday to ensure that targets are met for athletes and officials to arrive at venues on time. The prime minister’s spokesman said TFL would try to keep their use down to a minimum and said they would be used “flexibly”.

The Olympic Lanes, which have been dubbed the “Zil lanes” after the sections of road used by members of the Politburo in the Soviet Union, are one of the most controversial elements of a series of rules imposed by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games – Locog.

Ministers have been told not to use the lanes and to travel to Olympic events on public transport except where there are security concerns. “Where possible ministers will use public transport,” the prime minister’s spokesman said.

The prime minister’s spokesman said the 30 miles of lanes in London compared with 186 miles in Beijing for the Olympics in 2008 and 99 miles in Athens in 2004.

The lanes were discussed at the first of a series of daily meetings, chaired on Monday by David Cameron, which assessed security and transport arrangements for the Olympics. The meeting, described by No 10 as “stocktaking”, was attended by the home secretary, Theresa May, who described security preparations for the Olympics as “robust”. Senior military and police figures attended the meeting.

MOL/JR/HE

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