Olympic rail and Tube hotspots

[John Ashworth]

London 2012: TfL details Games rail and Tube hotspots

BBC 23 April 2012 Last updated at 01:14 GMT

Olympics organisers have published details of the Tube and rail "hotspots" that those who live, work and travel in London should avoid during the Games.

The information provides a "final picture" on which stations will be most affected from 27 July, they said.

Up to three million extra journeys are expected to be made in London alone on the busiest days until the closing ceremony on 12 August.

Bank, Earl's Court and London Bridge stations will be "exceptionally busy".

Final picture

The "hotspot" information is based on the operational plans of TfL, Network Rail, train operating companies and ATOC (the Association of Train Operating Companies).

It includes detailed descriptions for the previously announced pressure points plus 53 additional Tube and DLR stations and five more London Overground stations.

Transport for London (TfL) said that while about two thirds of Tube and DLR stations will be unaffected, the spread of hotspot stations across the public transport network means the DLR, Central and Jubilee lines will be "exceptionally busy" at certain times.

Londoners have been advised to try to work from home, stagger working hours, work longer but fewer days, take annual leave and swap to walking and cycling where possible.

TfL said almost 500 major businesses employing more than 600,000 people have signed up for specific travel advice and have drafted travel plans which they have shared with TfL.

Transport Secretary, Justine Greening, said: "I encourage businesses and individuals to plan how they are going to travel this summer, so we can deliver a fantastic Games that the whole country can be part of and proud of."

She added that government staff members were also being encouraged to "work and travel more flexibly" during the Games.

Organising committee chair Sebastian Coe said: "London and the UK is gearing up to welcome the world this summer when 15,000 athletes, 7,000 technical officials, thousands of media and millions of spectators will be travelling on our transport networks.

"As the success of the Games depends on all of us doing our bit to keep London and the UK moving, I'd like to urge everyone to plan now."

The Olympic Games run from 27 July to 12 August and the Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September.