London Olympics' Road Routes Revealed

Drivers are being urged to avoid central London from mid-July as the transport network gears up for the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Route Network (ORN), a 109-mile network of roads linking Games venues from mid-July, is being brought in for the duration of the Games.

"During the Games, London will be turned into a massive sporting and cultural venue," London's transport commissioner Peter Hendy said.

"We have plans in place to get all athletes, officials and the world's media to their Games events on time and to keep London moving and open for business.

"From mid-July, central London and areas around Games venues will be much busier than usual. The ORN, which is part of the host city contract for the Games, will be a vital part of managing the busy roads and delivering a great Games.

"It will come into operation on July 25, a couple of days before the opening ceremony and our advice to motorists is clear. From mid-July, avoid driving in central London, around the ORN and Games venues."

The ORN, including 30 miles of reserved Games Lanes, will open two days ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony and will be a key route to help the athletes, officials, media and sponsors who are expected to descend on London "in significant numbers" from July 16.

Congestion is expected and the M4 Games Lane is due to open from July 16 to help with the increased traffic, Transport for London (TfL) said.

Major building work for the ORN, including installing barriers for junctions, will start on July 20, with the aim of finishing it by the time the torch relay comes to London.

New road markings will be in place from the beginning of July with changes to more than 1,300 sets of traffic signals also up and running.

TfL says the changes will have only a small impact on road users because they will be offset by a complete ban on planned road works along the ORN and on all A and B roads.

The ORN and the Games Lanes will be enforced from 6am to midnight from July 25 and finish within three days of the Games ending.