The Games Lanes have been working well so far, helping get athletes and officials to and from their events at Eton Dorney and accommodation at Royal Holloway, University of London.
The impact of the Lanes on normal traffic has also been minimal to date, with only minor queuing being experienced at either end of the Bypass during the morning peak.
During the Paralympic Games period, from 27th August, the Games Lanes will be operational again to help facilitate the arrival and departure of athletes, and their transportation to and from Eton Dorney for Paralympic Rowing training and competition. The amended dates are:
13 August – Games Lanes suspended and opened to all traffic
26 August – Last day the Games Lanes are open to all traffic
27 August – Games Lanes in operation for Games vehicles only
5 Sept – Last day of operation of the Games Lanes
6 Sept – Games Lanes permanently ended and opened up to all traffic
Drivers are advised to check the electronic message signs located along the A30 Egham Bypass for updates and confirmation of whether the Games Lanes are in use. For the days when they are in use, they will be operational between 6am and 4pm.
Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport at the Olympic Delivery Authority said:
'After evaluating the operation of the A30 Egham Bypass Games Lanes and background traffic to date, we have decided to open up the Lanes to all traffic during the period between the Games.
'This will reduce the impact of the Olympic Route Network for everyday road users during this time. We were concerned that temporarily suspending the Games Lanes in this period would create confusion. However, now that we have seen that it has been working better than we expected, we believe we can safely go ahead with this move and help drivers at the same time.'
Notes to editors
The remaining temporary traffic management measures on the Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network will continue until the 5 September. These include:
– Temporary traffic tights at the Piggery Gate
– 30mph speed limit on Egham Hill between the junction of the A328 (St Judes Rd / Bakeham Lane) and the Egham Hill roundabout.
– Clearway on Egham Hill between the Piggery Gate and Egham Hill Roundabout.
The Games Lanes on the A30 Egham Bypass are one of the traffic management measures on the 284 mile long Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network, linking the competition and key non-competition venues for the London 2012 Games.
The Olympic Route Network and Paralympic Route Network are part of a contractual agreement with the International Olympic Committee, to provide safety, secure and reliable transport for members of the Games Family, between venues and within agreed minimum journey times.
The Games Lanes on the A30 Egham Bypass are on the route between the athletes Village at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Eton Dorney, the venue for Olympic Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing competitions.
