Welcome to our 2012 FAQ page. Here you can find a wide range of
answers to most common questions on specific subjects.
General
Travel and Transport
Olympic Route
Network
Businesses
Food Safety
Public Safety and Health &
Safety
Trading Standards
Licensing
Traffic and
Deliveries
Residents
Building Sites
General
Q: What is the Olympic period?
A: The London 2012 Olympic Games will take place between
27 July to 12 August 2012. The Paralympic Games will run between 29
August to 9 September 2012.
Q: When are the Olympic and Paralympic Marathons?
A: The Olympic Marathon Days are as follows: Women’s
Marathon - Sunday 5 August, Men’s Marathon - Sunday 12 August and
Paralympic Marathon - Sunday 9 September 2012.
Q: What are the routes of the Olympic and Paralympic
Marathons?
A: A copy of the current proposed routes of the Olympic
and Paralympic marathon are available on the
London 2012 website.
Q: When is the Olympic Torch Relay?
A: The
Olympic Torch Relay will be coming to Central
London on Thursday 26 July 2012. The route of the torch will not be
confirmed by LOCOG until spring 2012.
Travel and Transport
Q: Will the London Cycle Hire Bikes be free of charge
during the games period?
A: No, charges will apply as normal. The
London Cycle Hire Scheme is a Transport for
London initiative. For more details, please refer to the TfL
website.
Q: Will the River boat service be increased during the
games period for commuters?
A: Yes, there will be three types of services running on
the River Thames in central London during the Games. The 2012
Games river bus express which provides faster commuter-type
services and 2012 Games river tours offers more leisurely travel,
usually with tourist commentary.
In addition to the 2012 Games river bus express service a stopping
service will also operate, the 2012 Games river bus service,
calling at all major London piers. For further details on both the
2012 Games river bus express and 2012 Games river bus services,
including a route map and schedule for both bookable and
non-bookable services, please visit the
Thames
Clipper website.
Q: Will there be more trains and buses during the
Olympic period?
A: Yes. The Tube will have a vital role to play in
delivering a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, with
around 65% of spectators expected to travel on the network. During
the Olympic Games, services will start at the same time as usual,
with the exception of Sundays, when London Underground (Tube) and
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will start approximately 30–45
minutes earlier.
The Tube and DLR trains will run up to 90 minutes later than normal
on all days, including Sundays. Last trains from central London
will leave around 01:30.
National Rail services from London will operate later than normal.
Last trains for both suburban and inter-city destinations will
leave London termini typically between 00:00 and 01:00.
Transport for London is working to make sure the existing,
comprehensive bus network continues to run during the Games. Extra
buses will be added, where necessary, to cater for additional
passengers. For further information please visit the
Business & Partners section on the
Transport for London’s website.
Q: Will there be Oyster charges adjustments during the
Olympic period if commuters are expected to travel at different
times, etc?
A: This is a question that can only be answered by
Transport for London, as
the Oyster Card scheme is their
initiative.
Q: Will the congestion charge still be in place during
the Olympic period?
A: Yes, the
Congestion Charge scheme will be in place
during the Olympic Period. Please refer to Transport for
London’s website for further information on this scheme.
Q: Are there any plans to suspend the underground works
during the games period?
A: We have been advised by
Transport for London, that there will be no
planned line closures over the Games period, with closures also
minimised in the weeks before.
Olympic Route Network
Q: What is the Olympic & Paralympic Route
Network?
A: The
Olympic and Paralympic Route Network (ORN/PRN)
are made up of a number of streets that link all competition and
other key venues. The ORN and PRN will enable athletes, officials,
media and others working at the Games (the Games Family) to reach
their venues and accommodation on time, whilst also keeping London
and the rest of the UK moving. This will involve various
restrictions, including games lanes and banned right turns. In most
instances, the route will be open to general traffic and clear of
obstructions/roadworks.
Q: What are Games Lanes?
A: Temporary Games Lanes will only operate on around a
third of the ORN/PRN and only where there is space for the
dedicated lanes.
Q: Will restrictions on the routes apply 24 hours a
day?
A: The hours of operation for the Games Lanes in the City
of London will be between 6am to midnight. Restrictions on the
ORN/PRN in other boroughs will vary and in some areas will apply 24
hours a day.
Q: When will the ORN become operational and can I use
the routes after the Olympics and before the start of the
Paralympics?
A: The ORN will come into operation on the 25 July 2012
and venue routes will be discontinued as soon as the events at that
venue are over and they are not required. Transport for London also
plans to end the operation of the ORN as soon as possible after the
Olympic Games and, once again, re-introduce the PRN, which will be
significantly reduced in size, just a few days before the
Paralympic Games.
Q: Will businesses on the ORN/PRN be granted an
exemption to the loading constraints?
A: There are currently no plans to grant an exemption to
any traffic management measures for businesses located on the
ORN/PRN.
Q: What is the Olympic Family?
A: The ‘Olympic Family’ is a term used to describe a wide
range of accredited personnel. There are six groups: National
Olympic Committees (NOC), athletes and team officials; workforce;
media; International Federations (IF); International Olympic
Committee (IOC); and Marketing Partners.
Q: Why is special treatment being given to VIPs?
A: The Routes were a core part of the success of London’s
bid to host the Games. It is a tried and tested approach that
has been used to transport the Olympic Family in previous games in
Sydney, Athens and Bejing. The network ensures the people who ‘make
the games happen’ can reach their venues in time for their events.
London wants to make sure all those who have worked so hard to
compete in the Games are given the best possible chance to
succeed.
Q: How many vehicles will be using the ORN each
day?
A: The number of Games family vehicles estimated to use
the ORN Games Lanes, will range between 400 and 800 vehicles an
hour in each direction. In total there will be 1500 Coaches/ Buses
and 4000 Olympic Family vehicles.
Q: How is the ORN enforced?
A: The ORN will be enforced by TfL who are leading the ORN
project, along with the Metropolitan Police. A range of enforcement
measures will be employed to deter drivers from obstructing the
route, including CCTV cameras and mobile enforcement teams.
Q: How will you differentiate between games traffic and
commuters?
A: Each vehicle will display an ID plate.
Q: What is the Alternative Olympic route network?
A: The Alternative Olympic Route Network (AORN) will be
used when road events, such as the marathon or cycle race are
scheduled. It will also be used in the event of an emergency or
incident.
Q: Where will the ORN and AORN be?
A: Please refer to
Transport for London’s or
London 2012 websites for further
information.
Q: Will bus stops on the ORN be suspended?
A: One bus stop will be suspended in Arthur Street and two
on Southwark Bridge. However, Bus Routes will not be affected
except on Road Event Days.
Q: Will my commuter coach stops on Upper/Lower Thames
Street?
A: All the commuter coach stops are likely to be suspended
on Upper/Lower Thames Street during the games. Discussions
are ongoing with City of London on its relocation.
Q: Why will Puddle Dock be closed and when will it re-open?
A: The right turn into Puddle Dock will be restricted
throughout the Olympic Games however, it will be reinstated after
the Olympics and will remain open throughout the Paralympics.
Due to the modifications to traffic signals that TfL have made to
assist journey times for games vehicles, if the junction were to
remain open, delays may occur. Emergency vehicles will still
be permitted to use the right turn at the Puddle Dock junction
during the Games.
Q: Can emergency vehicles use the ORN Games Lanes?
A: Yes, the ORN Games Lanes will be accessible for on-call
emergency vehicles.
Q: When will works start on the ORN Games Lanes?
A: The main works for the installation of the Games Lanes
entail the introduction of signs, marking, logos, closures and
banned turns. TfL and Contractors are working on an area based
delivery programme for main works keeping disruption to a minimum.
The delivery programme is likely to start in June / July
2012. Decommissioning will follow the same priorities as the
main works and have to be carried out as quickly as possible,
although measures will be removed as soon as events are
completed.
Q: Can cyclists use the Games Lanes?
A: The ORN/PRN design allows cyclists to enter the
majority of Games Lanes where they are on the nearside, as this is
seen as the normal cycling position on the road. Cyclists will not
be allowed to enter the offside Games Lanes for safety reasons or
to make other movements that would be deemed unsafe.
Q: What are Olympic Sensitive street?
A: The City of London is in the process of
designating certain streets (or part of streets) as 'Olympic
sensitive'. An Olympic sensitive street is defined as one on
which works/ operations may create unacceptable delays and
disruption during the Olympic period.
The City of London will be reviewing waiting/loading restriction
times, building site activities and co-ordinating streetworks
effectively for the Olympic period to ensure traffic congestion is
minimised. A list and map of Olympic Sensitive streets will be
available on our website shortly.
Businesses
Q: How will we be able to service our offices
during the Olympic period?
A: There are a range of ways businesses can manage
deliveries during the games period. London 2012 and
Tranport for London are working with businesses
to help you prepare and understand how you may be affected during
Games time. This advice includes how to contact your
suppliers and what steps you could take to mitigate the impact of
the Games on deliveries.
Q: Will our refuse collection service be
affected?
A: Please contact your current provider to establish
whether there will be any changes to your refuse schedule during
the Games period.
Q: We are planning an office move/office refit during
the Olympic period; will we be able to go ahead?
A: Yes, but due to the anticipated increase in traffic
during the games period there could be some streets where waiting
and loading restrictions may be changed. Please check the loading
restrictions on street prior to applying for a parking dispensation
to establish whether loading is permitted or alternatively email
our Traffic Management office for further advice:
traffic.management@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Q: Will loading dispensations still be issued?
A: Yes, but each application will be assessed depending on
your location request. If the location is on one of the
City’s streets deemed to be Olympic sensitive your application may
be declined. Individual advice will be provided by our
Traffic Management Office during the application process.
Q: What happens if we lose power or our back up
generator breaks down, can we replace it if it requires a Mobile
Crane?
A: Yes, but it will depend on the location of the request.
If the location is on one of the City’s streets deemed to be
Olympic sensitive your application will need to be assessed
carefully for the impact it may have on the highway network.
Individual advice will be provided by our Highways Officers /
Traffic Management Office if such an incident was to occur.
Q: Can we have night time deliveries during the Olympic
period?
A: You could consider working with your suppliers to
change your delivery or collection slots during the Games period,
to avoid peak times or days that are likely to be particularly
busy. This could include out-of-hours deliveries or reducing the
number of vehicles delivering to your business during the Games.
Please check that your building is not subject to any planning
conditions which prohibit out of hours deliveries and with the City
of London’s Environmental Health Team. Also, you should ensure that
you are not exposing residents and other businesses to noise
pollution.
For further advice on deliveries in the City, please email
publicprotection@cityoflondon.gov.uk. For more
generic information on deliveries during the Games period please
visit the Tranport for London.
Q: Will Crossrail be standing down during the Olympic
period?
A: The Crossrail project will continue throughout the
Games period, although their programme will be assessed to ensure
the impact of their works is minimised.
Q: How will our postal deliveries be affected? Are there
any special arrangements for Royal Mail during the Olympic
Period?
A: Post Office vehicles need to stop near premises to
deliver but certain post boxes may be unavailable, as they can
not be serviced during the Games period. Meetings have been held
with TfL staff and the Royal Mail to discuss these issues.
Q: How will you stop utility companies digging up the
roads during the Games period?
A: The Clearway 2012 project has been set up by TfL to
work with utility companies and highway authorities to minimise
disruption during the games. As a result of this project, it has
been agreed that there will be no planned roadworks carried out on
key routes in the Capital during, and for a period before, the
Games. This means that utility connections and diversionary works
are unlikely to be able to take place at this time. This embargo on
planned road works will affect streets forming
the ORN from March 2012, and the City's Olympic
Sensitive Streets from July 2012. They will cease to be in effect
during September 2012.
Food Safety
Q: We hope our food business will be much busier than
normal during the Olympic period but should we be doing do anything
special for food safety?
A: Your staff, customers and deliveries could all be
affected during the busy periods of the Games. Increased visitors
will mean increased pressure on existing staff and you need to
think how this might affect food safety. You need to plan (using
your food safety management system) to minimise the various
additional problems you might experience; the key might be to keep
things simple.
Q: How will the Olympics affect our food
deliveries?
A: Parking and road restrictions may affect your
deliveries and collections during usual opening times and at
certain times and locations, deliveries may not be possible at all.
Make sure you have considered all the deliveries and supplies you
are likely to need during the Olympic period. Speak to your
suppliers now to allow plenty of time to plan and prepare and make
sure they are aware of particular problems your business might
face.
Q: Training and supervision - what should we
do?
A: Make sure that any managers and staff understand their
role in your food safety precautions and procedures, especially if
these are new or novel specifically for the period of the Games.
New or temporary staff must also understand what they are expected
to do to maintain food safety in your business. You might like to
consider more training and supervision so that the precautions you
plan are actually put into practice effectively.
Q: Our normal suppliers say they will be making
fewer deliveries because of the Olympic Route Network. What can I
do to keep my food safe?
A: Review the storage capacity you have available,
especially for perishable foods. There maybe enhancements you can
make to improve storage but you must also avoid stock piling if
food safety is likely to be compromised as a result. You may wish
to consider reducing the range and/or type of your food provision
so you can concentrate on areas where you can guarantee deliveries
and also minimise stock problems. You might even consider sharing
your storage capacity with other local businesses.
Q: If deliveries can’t get through as frequently, what
about my food waste and rubbish?
A: Refuse will still need to be collected and removed, so
ensure that you know from your contractor how collection times
might be affected. Refuse and refuse stores should be adequately
controlled to ensure that pests do not become established.
Q: Pest Control - What should we consider?
A: Now is the time to consider what further controls are
possible. If you have a pest problem now it needs to be resolved as
quickly as possible. It may not be easy to get additional support
for pest control during the Games period. Public Protection
can provide further advice on pest control. Please email
publicprotection@cityofvlondon.gov.uk or
call 020 7332 3630.
Public
Safety and Health & Safety
Q: We are thinking of organising a street party, who do
we have to inform?
A: If you are organising street events including temporary
grandstands and hoardings on closed streets, please contact the
City’s Highways & Cleansing Service on 020 7332 3037 or email
highways@cityoflondon.gov.uk
to discuss your proposals as soon as possible.
Q: We can only get half of our normal
deliveries of drink supplies. Shall we get bigger deliveries
to my business?
A: Avoid over-stocking beer cellars and bottle and food
stores and creating hazardous lifting and carrying conditions for
your staff; if possible get deliveries in smaller bulk containers
or cartons to make manual handling easier and less risky.
Q: We’re likely to get very crowded for some Olympics
events on live tv. Are there any special actions we should consider
taking?
A: Consider the temporary use of plastic glasses and
containers (bearing a Government stamp where appropriate) and not
issuing bottles to drink directly from during the period of the
games, particularly if your customers drink outside of your
premises.
Q: What if customers get too boisterous and rowdy, say
at closing time?
A: Report all threats or incidents of violence,
particularly those involving your staff, to the City of London
Police immediately
Q: We’re going to be running (more) music events during
the Olympics. What do we have to do?
A: First and foremost you need to ensure that your
Premises Licence allows you to hold music events if you don’t
normally. You also need to consider any additional exposure to
noise at work for your staff from amplified music at such events
held in your premises. If necessary provide respite breaks in quiet
areas for staff exposed to prolonged periods in noisy areas. You
must ensure that any music played does not cause disturbance to
nearby residents or businesses and further advice can be sought
from the City’s Pollution Team on 020 7332 3630 or email
publicprotection@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Q: We still have to do routine maintenance on our plant
and equipment each week. What shall we do during the Games?
A: You may need to reschedule routine maintenance tasks so
you avoid the Games periods. If you have call-out arrangements for
emergencies, you need to check how these are likely to be affected
by any parking and road restrictions.
Trading Standards
Q: We’d like to put up lots of Olympic posters
advertising our events. Is this OK?
A: Be careful how you describe and advertise any events or
promotions you may be having around the time of the Games as
certain phrases such as “Olympics” and the use of the official
Olympic logos are prohibited. Make sure that you obtain the
appropriate permissions from the
Olympic Delivery Authority if you want
to advertise in the vicinity of the Olympic Route Network (ORN)
or the controlled areas for the three Marathons and other street
events.
Q: We’ve been offered “Olympic souvenirs”. Can we
sell them?
A: Make sure that any goods you sell with Olympic phrases
or logos are official merchandise otherwise they may be seized as
counterfeit. For more information on what you can and can’t use or
sell or display, go to the
London 2012 website.
Licensing
Q: We’re thinking of altering our licensed hours for the Olympics.
What do we need to do?
A: You are strongly advised to let us know well in advance
of any requirements, whether you want permanent variations to your
premise licence or Temporary Event Notices (TENs). If there
is a late rush of applications, and the Police or emergency
services indicate to us they do not have sufficient resources to
deal with any risks presented by an event, this is likely to result
in refusal of the application.
Q: Can we have a temporary stall outside our
business to sell from?
A: No. Under the City of London (Various Powers) Act 1987,
street trading within the City of London is illegal, so please do
not sell items (including food and drink) from the highway - which
normally includes any thoroughfare to which the public have
access.
Q: We’d like to put some (extra) tables and chairs
outside our premises. Can we?
A: For permission to place tables and chairs on the
highway your application should be submitted by 1 February 2012 at
the latest. Applications after this time cannot be guaranteed to be
processed in time for the Games. You can contact us by email
licensing@cityoflondon.gov.uk
or on telephone 020 7332 3406.
Traffic and
Deliveries
Q: Getting to and from work - What do I need to
consider?
A: Other transport networks will be busy, particularly at
peak commuter and various competition times. Your staff could
be affected and even delayed on certain days. If you
understand how your staff get to work, you could use this
information to plan ahead and minimise disruption to your
workplace. There may be different ways of working you could
adopt if haven’t already – e.g. staggered hours or shifts – so make
a plan to see what options might be available to you. Transport for
London and London 2012 provide information which will help you plan
to minimise this challenge and keep your business running
smoothly.
Residents
Q: Do residents get special dispensations during the
games period?
A: There are currently no plans to grant any exemptions
for residents located on the ORN/PRN. Access to properties will
still be maintained but it may take longer to access your
destination.
Q: Will my refuse collection be affected?
A: At the current time there are no perceived changes to
household refuse collections in the City of London. For further
information please email
waste.collection@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Q: Will I be able to move house during the Olympic
period?
A: Yes, but due to the anticipated increase in traffic
during the Games period there could be some streets where waiting
and loading restrictions may be changed. Please check the loading
restrictions on street prior to applying for a parking dispensation
to establish whether loading is permitted or alternatively email
our Traffic Management office for further advice:
traffic.management@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Q: I am getting married in July/ August/ September 2012.
Will there still be access to the church?
A: The City will be open for business as usual, except on
the following Marathon Days, Sunday 5 August, Sunday 12 August and
Sunday 9 September 2012, where roads will be closed to allow the
event to take place. Further information on these closures
will be available in the next few months.
Q: How will I be affected if all deliveries are
undertaken at nights during the games period?
A: Businesses throughout London will need to adapt their
normal way of working during the Games, by revising deliveries
schedules, collections and how they service their business. Some
businesses may consider changing their delivery or collection slots
during the Games period, to avoid peak times or days that are
likely to be particularly busy. This could include out-of-hours
deliveries or reducing the number of vehicles delivering to during
the Games. Each business will need to check whether their building
is subject to any planning conditions which prohibit out of hours
deliveries and permission will need to be granted from the City of
London’s Environmental Health Team. This will ensure that
residents and other businesses are not affected to noise
pollution.
Q: I am a season ticket holder for Tower Hill Car Park,
will there still be access?
A: Yes, although access to Tower Hill Car Park will be
maintained for vehicles travelling from the east only, as the
westbound right turn from Lower Thames Street is expected to be
closed for vehicles, except for local buses, cycles, motorcycles
and taxis.
Building Sites
Q: Will our site be able to operate during the Olympic
period?
A: Yes, but due to the anticipated increase in traffic
during the Games period there could be delays for vehicles and
contractors accessing your site. The City streets will be open
except on the following Marathon Days, Sunday 5 August, Sunday 12
August and Sunday 9 September 2012, where roads will be closed to
allow the event to take place. Further information on these
closures will be available in the next few months.
Q: What impact will the Olympics have on our site
delivery schedule?
A: It is anticipated that there will be an increase of
traffic in the City during the games period. This possible
traffic congestion could cause delays to your delivery schedule,
especially if you are planning large scale deliveries of concrete/
steels, etc during this period. For further advice please
contact:
olympictransport@cityoflondon.gov.uk
or visit the TfL website.
Q: Can we apply for road closures for a Crane
Operation?
A: Yes, but it will depend on the location of the request.
If the location is on one of the City’s streets deemed to be
Olympic sensitive, your application will need to be assessed
carefully for the impact it may have on the highway network and may
be declined until after the Games period. Individual advice will be
provided by our Highways Officers/Traffic Management Office during
the application process.
Q: Can we erect / dismantle scaffolding during the
Olympic period?
A: Yes, unless the site on which the scaffold is
due to be erected/dismantled is on one of the City’s streets deemed
to be Olympic sensitive and may impact on the highway network. The
current scaffold rules will still apply, to ensure that works are
only carried out at weekends. Individual advice will be provided by
our Highways Officers during the scaffold application process.
Q: If a scaffold is already erected, will we
have to take it down for the Olympics?
A: Existing licensed scaffolds are expected to remain in
position during the games, unless there is a specific problem in
relation to an event or congestion on the footway network.
Individual advice will be provided by our Highways Officers during
the scaffold application process.
Q: Will noise restriction hours be amended during the
Olympic period?
A: You could consider working with your suppliers to
change your delivery or collection slots during the Games period,
to avoid peak times or days that are likely to be particularly
busy. This could include out-of-hours deliveries or reducing the
number of vehicles delivering to your business during the Games.
Please check whether your site is subject to any planning
conditions which prohibit out of hours deliveries and with the City
of London’s Environmental Health Team, to ensure that you are not
exposing residents and other businesses to noise pollution.
Guidance on deliveries in the City during the games
period is available to
download: Night Time Deliveries (PDF 294kb). For
further advice, please
email publicprotection@cityoflondon.gov.uk
or visit the TfL website.