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London 2012: Olympics road restrictions begin amid confusion London 2012: Olympics road restrictions begin amid confusion
(40 minutes later)
Drivers in London have been confused by road restrictions which have come into force to assist the movement of Olympic athletes, officials and the media.Drivers in London have been confused by road restrictions which have come into force to assist the movement of Olympic athletes, officials and the media.
Starting from 06:00 BST, a £130 fine has become enforceable for drivers and cyclists straying into Games Lanes.Starting from 06:00 BST, a £130 fine has become enforceable for drivers and cyclists straying into Games Lanes.
Motorists have been puzzled because some Games Lanes are still open to all traffic and some signs appear to be conflicting.Motorists have been puzzled because some Games Lanes are still open to all traffic and some signs appear to be conflicting.
The lanes were intended to be "flexible", Transport for London said.The lanes were intended to be "flexible", Transport for London said.
There were traffic jams and queues on a several roads including the M4, the A4 and the A40 in west London; the A12 at the Lea Interchange and A13 Canning Town Flyover in east London; Hyde Park Corner and Euston Road.
'Flexible use''Flexible use'
The authority said that while the 170 miles of road that made up the UK-wide Olympic Road Network (ORN) was now in force, the Games Lanes were being adjusted according to traffic needs.The authority said that while the 170 miles of road that made up the UK-wide Olympic Road Network (ORN) was now in force, the Games Lanes were being adjusted according to traffic needs.
On Twitter Jon Mack asked: "Could this be less clear?"On Twitter Jon Mack asked: "Could this be less clear?"
The BBC's Chris Lansdown said that on the A40 eastbound near the Hanger Lane underpass in west London, a blue sign by the roadside told drivers that the Games Lanes were being enforced, but a matrix sign advised motorists they could use the reserved lane.The BBC's Chris Lansdown said that on the A40 eastbound near the Hanger Lane underpass in west London, a blue sign by the roadside told drivers that the Games Lanes were being enforced, but a matrix sign advised motorists they could use the reserved lane.
He said: "It was already causing a tailback at 06:45."He said: "It was already causing a tailback at 06:45."
Stephen Sitaram, a lorry driver from Hillingdon, west London, said navigating the A40 near Hanger Lane roundabout was challenging as one lane was "coned off" and the Games lane started some distance down the road, leading to a traffic build-up.Stephen Sitaram, a lorry driver from Hillingdon, west London, said navigating the A40 near Hanger Lane roundabout was challenging as one lane was "coned off" and the Games lane started some distance down the road, leading to a traffic build-up.
He said people joining the A40 were guided by notices saying Games lanes were in operation during the Olympics, but there were no mobile signs until drivers reached Marylebone Road.He said people joining the A40 were guided by notices saying Games lanes were in operation during the Olympics, but there were no mobile signs until drivers reached Marylebone Road.
Mr Sitaram said: "They are making it confusing. They should have illuminated signs rather than sticker signs. If you join in halfway, you don't know... that's why a lot of traffic is building up."Mr Sitaram said: "They are making it confusing. They should have illuminated signs rather than sticker signs. If you join in halfway, you don't know... that's why a lot of traffic is building up."
Paul Camp, who was driving on Euston Road, said he was stuck in an "unnecessary traffic jam" for 40 minutes as people were wary of using the Games Lane, despite a digital sign instructing them to do so.
He said: "You know there is chaos because the lane is empty while we sit in the traffic, but the digital sign was saying all traffic can use it.
"People are thinking the sign may be wrong and hasn't been changed."
A spokeswoman for Transport for London (TfL) said that drivers must follow the advice shown on the 150 mobile matrix signs.A spokeswoman for Transport for London (TfL) said that drivers must follow the advice shown on the 150 mobile matrix signs.
Some of the lanes are activated and the messages on these will be adapted according to traffic flow and the demands of the Olympic family.Some of the lanes are activated and the messages on these will be adapted according to traffic flow and the demands of the Olympic family.
Leon Daniels, TfL's managing director of surface transport, acknowledged that people will have to rely on the changing matrix signs to determine whether they can drive on the lane, but he added that people accidentally straying into them would not automatically incur a fine. The spokeswoman said: "Lots of people are coming in from abroad so they will be used at times when they are needed. We are monitoring the lanes using CCTV."
Leon Daniels, TfL's managing director of surface transport, said people would have to rely on the changing matrix signs to determine whether they could drive on the lane. But he said people accidentally straying into them would not automatically incur a fine.
He said: "We don't want enforcement, we want compliance.He said: "We don't want enforcement, we want compliance.
"Nobody will be harshly dealt with if the Games lane becomes activated after they pass it." "Nobody will be harshly dealt with if the Games Lane becomes activated after they pass it."
All traffic may use ORN roads, but vehicles are banned from parking or blocking them in any way.All traffic may use ORN roads, but vehicles are banned from parking or blocking them in any way.
In effect ORN roads are similar to Transport for London red routes in the capital.In effect ORN roads are similar to Transport for London red routes in the capital.
Some 30 miles of road in London have been designated as Games Lanes, and are clearly marked with the Olympic circles logo.Some 30 miles of road in London have been designated as Games Lanes, and are clearly marked with the Olympic circles logo.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the disruption was not surprising.
She added: "There will be a lot of disruption and London is a congested city anyway."
Games Lanes are also in effect in Weymouth and Portland, Eton Dorney in Buckinghamshire, and Hadleigh Farm in Essex, where there are Olympic venues.Games Lanes are also in effect in Weymouth and Portland, Eton Dorney in Buckinghamshire, and Hadleigh Farm in Essex, where there are Olympic venues.
Several Games Lanes in major routes into London were cordoned off on Monday, and traffic jams of up to two hours subsequently developed.Several Games Lanes in major routes into London were cordoned off on Monday, and traffic jams of up to two hours subsequently developed.
Transport for London (TfL) is urging people to avoid driving into central London and in the vicinity of Olympic venues if possible.Transport for London (TfL) is urging people to avoid driving into central London and in the vicinity of Olympic venues if possible.
TfL said roads within the North Circular and the South Circular are likely to be badly affected, along with key routes into London.TfL said roads within the North Circular and the South Circular are likely to be badly affected, along with key routes into London.
The organisation highlighted the A2, A3, A12, A13 and A40 as being especially likely to experience congestion and suggested people rethink their journeys to avoid the rush hour on these roads.The organisation highlighted the A2, A3, A12, A13 and A40 as being especially likely to experience congestion and suggested people rethink their journeys to avoid the rush hour on these roads.
More information can be found on the Olympic "Get Ahead of the Games" website.More information can be found on the Olympic "Get Ahead of the Games" website.
Live travel updates can also be found online from the Highways Agency and on BBC London 94.9.Live travel updates can also be found online from the Highways Agency and on BBC London 94.9.
Have you been affected by the designated Games Lanes? What do you think about the restrictions? You can send us your views and comments using the form below.