Boris Johnson urges IOC officials to use public transport in 2012

MAYOR of London Boris Johnson has urged the International Olympic Committee to use London transport during the 2012 Games.

SPEAKING OUT: Boris Johnson urges IOC members to use London transport during 2012 Olympics (Getty Images)

Mr Johnson confirmed that plans are at an advanced stage for an Olympic Route Network to ensure athletes and officials can travel swiftly to the London 2012 venues.

But he also suggested that all non-essential trips are made using London's buses, trains and tubes with IOC president Jacques Rogge indicating he would encourage the IOC members to use the capital's public transport.

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"It is essential to ensure athletes and officials can travel quickly to their venues with their equipment during the Games," said Mr Johnson.

"Their arrival in plenty of time and in peak condition is my main priority and our Olympic Route Network will meet those special travel needs.

"However, I am extremely grateful for the IOC's commitment to encourage all members of the Games Family to travel on London's excellent and rapidly expanding transport system wherever possible.

"Apart from its convenience and speed in getting around town, I am sure that members of the Games Family will also discover more of the wonders of our great city."

Last summer the Mayor wrote to IOC President Jacques Rogge saying that plans were well advanced for the Olympic Route Network, which will transport athletes and officials with unique travel requirements to and from Olympic events in a timely manner.

However, to minimise traffic on the network, he urged the President to work with him to ask all members of the 'Games Family', who are eligible to use it, to do so only when it is essential.