London 2012

Building infrastructure to support the Games

We've upgraded the North London Line on the London Overground network to allow longer, bigger capacity trains to run more frequently into Stratford.

Stratford Regional station has been transformed into an essential gateway to the Olympic Park.

We added a freight train “parking space” at the Olympic Park to keep tracks clear for passenger trains.

The new King's Cross concourse has three times the space and improved facilities.

All work was completed in advance so we could focus on testing the infrastructure ahead of the Games.

Working in partnership to coordinate the transport network

We’ve joined forces with transport partners to create an integrated Transport Coordination Centre (TCC).

The TCC will work around the clock to coordinate public transport to help people get where they need to go during the Games.

Partners in the TCC include Transport for London (TfL), Highways Agency, British Transport Police, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Olympic Delivery Authority, Greater London Authority and the Department for Transport.

The better practices learnt from transport operators working together will be one of many legacies of the Games.

Keeping key routes clear of engineering works

We're suspending all major engineering works on key Games routes from the end of June to early September.

To achieve this over 120,000 hours of engineering works have been carried out to improve the reliability on those routes, much of it at night to minimise impact on passengers.

Making it easier to get through stations

Even with the best planning we expect queues at stations, particularly at London Bridge, but we’ve got plans to make things as easy as possible:

• Using data on spectator journeys, we produced hotspot maps for our 11 London stations to feed into TfL's Get Ahead of the Games travel planning site
• Live travel information screens will be installed in stations
• We’ve created more space at King’s Cross and Waterloo stations
• Magenta “London 2012” signage will guide passengers to venues
• 600 Network Rail Travel Champions will be in stations to provide travel advice

Making transport more accessible

We’ve been undertaking work across the network to provide more step-free access and improve links between rail services and London Underground.

We’re making it easier for people with impaired mobility, including older people and those travelling with children or luggage. The aim is to provide inclusive rail services unlocking public transport for more passengers.

Providing the right information at the right time

Businesses and commuters have been encouraged to plan ahead by TfL's Get Ahead of the Games campaign, which gives details about road and public transport hotspots.

The TCC will be operating 24/7 during the games.

Legions of volunteers on the ground will be providing the latest travel advice.

Preparing our rapid response units

We have to be realistic: There will be problems with signalling equipment or overhead lines; cable theft or a simple blown fuse might affect services. These are challenges that the rail industry faces but we have robust plans in place:

• Rapid response maintenance units will be based at strategic locations
• Our road vehicles have permission to use the Olympic Route Network to get engineers on the scene as quickly as possible
• Three helicopters will be in operation covering patrols of the network