Woolwich and O2 Olympic transport plans revealed
2:23pm Friday 20th January 2012 in News
DETAILS of pedestrian routes and road closures during the Olympics have gone on display in Woolwich today.
Woolwich Common is holding the Olympic shooting competition and Games organisers Locog say they have tried to minimise disruption, particularly to the nearby hospital.
But Ha Ha Road and Circular Way will be closed for the duration – from July 7 to September 19 - while Repository Road will be shut to all but emergency services during competition days.
Those closures will be repeated during the test event – a long competition from April 15 to May 7 which is not open to spectators.
Around 24 parking bays are set to go at the south end of Woolwich Common.
Locog venue transport manager Jessica Parthezius said: “Queen Elizabeth Hospital are happy with the access that’s provided.”
Around 3,000 spectators a day will be channelled from Woolwich Arsenal station up Wellington Street – past the new council buildings but avoiding the Connaught estate.
They will travel up Grand Depot Road, then use a new crossing just before Woolwich New Road to reach the common.
There are also plans for General Gordon Square itself to become a ‘live site’ with activities throughout the Games alongside its big screen.
At The O2, where half of the Games will be split between gymnastics and basketball, up to 14,500 people are expected for each session.
The opening weekend is set to be the busiest period with three gymnastics sessions each day.
Locog city operations manager Luke Hyvonen explained: “Around 70 per cent of people come via North Greenwich station. They will go through 43 pedestrian screening lanes.
“People can still go into the entertainment district but they must also go through screening.”
A shuttle bus will run every four minutes from Charlton station to the venue.
Meanwhile, to the south of the site, the Peninsula Festival will host up to 10 evening concerts during the Games.
An information drop-in session is taking place today in General Gordon Square until 6.30pm in General Gordon Square.
Another session will run from 10am to 4pm in the square tomorrow.
Travel information sessions also ntake place at Ravensbourne College on January 27 and 28. Visit london2012 for more details.
