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London 2012: Two hour traffic jams as Games Lanes start London 2012 Games lanes: Traffic delays of two hours
(40 minutes later)
Drivers coming into London have been facing delays of up to two hours after new restrictions came into force for the Olympics. Drivers coming into London have faced delays of up to two hours after new restrictions came into force for the Olympics.
Lane restrictions have begun to be applied on the A12, A13 and A40.Lane restrictions have begun to be applied on the A12, A13 and A40.
Motorists using all three roads faced traffic jams of between one and two hours on the first morning the lanes were enforced. By 11:20 BST the situation on the three roads had improved, although there was still some congestion with delays on approach roads.
Transport for London had warned journeys on the roads may take "considerably longer than usual".Transport for London had warned journeys on the roads may take "considerably longer than usual".
In a briefing before the problems began, a spokesman said: "Several major routes into London will be exceptionally busy on Monday morning as the capital continues its transformation into a huge sporting and cultural venue. One motorist who called BBC London from the A13 said his normal hour-long drive from Swanley to Redbridge had already taken far longer than normal and he expected it to take about two and a half hours.
There was particularly heavy traffic on local roads in Canning Town and West Ham in east London.
And congestion was also seen in central London, with delays in Whitehall, Shaftesbury Avenue and Trafalgar Square.
The Mall is also closed due to Olympic preparations and motorists told of delays in Greenwich.
There have been changes to 120 key junctions, with more than 1,000 sets of traffic lights rephased due to the Games.
A fine of £130 will be issued to drivers who break the regulations, for instance by driving in Games lanes or stopping along the route.
Up to date traffic information on delays can be obtained from the BBC Travel news site for London.
'Unprecedented changes'
In a briefing before the problems began, a spokesman Transport for London, said: "Several major routes into London will be exceptionally busy on Monday morning as the capital continues its transformation into a huge sporting and cultural venue.
"The unprecedented scale of changes to London's roads, the arrival for the Games of 11,500 athletes, media and officials and the Torch Relay mean that there will be a significant impact on traffic in the capital."The unprecedented scale of changes to London's roads, the arrival for the Games of 11,500 athletes, media and officials and the Torch Relay mean that there will be a significant impact on traffic in the capital.
"This impact will last for the duration of the Olympic Games.""This impact will last for the duration of the Olympic Games."
There was heavy traffic in central London too, with delays in Whitehall, Shaftesbury Avenue and Trafalgar Square.
The Mall is also closed due to Olympic preparations and motorists told of delays in Greenwich.
The changes are part of the establishment of the Olympic Route Network, which is intended to make sure athletes and officials can move around the city smoothly.The changes are part of the establishment of the Olympic Route Network, which is intended to make sure athletes and officials can move around the city smoothly.
It is due to begin full operation on Wednesday. It is due to href="http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/london-2012-olympic-route-network.pdf" >begin full operation on Wednesday.