Local London Assembly Member John Biggs has called on Transport for London (TfL) to reconsider Olympic route restrictions in Wapping to help local residents. Previous lobbying by representatives and the community has succeeded in achieving a small number of changes but the evidence of the operation of the Olympic Route, even before the Games begins, has shown traffic chaos and widespread delays.
John Biggs believes TfL need to go further and recognise the needs of local residents should not be exceeded by the privileges enjoyed by officials. In Wapping, one of the worst affected areas, people have lost pedestrian crossings and the ability to make most right hand turns in and out of the area. Buses are being rerouted which will cause real hardship and inconvenience for local residents.
Labour Assembly Member for City & East London, John Biggs said: “We all welcome the Olympics which will be a fantastic boost for east London. We know there will be disruption but the organisers need to take into account local people's concerns.”
“We obviously need to make sure athlete’s get to events on time, but it looks like the majority of people using the Games Lanes will be officials. The Olympic elite are being given excessive preference over local people, and the proposals could have reached a more reasonable compromise.”
“The Highway in Wapping already has a poor safety record and I’m concerned that removing pedestrian crossings will make it less safe for local residents. The evidence of the first few days of operation is that the gridlock and delays will be worse than we initially feared. I’m glad that TfL have made some concessions but they need to do more to help carers, the disabled and people visiting local hospitals during the games.”
Ends