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Strike on eve of Games called off Strike on eve of Games called off
(40 minutes later)
A public sector strike involving immigration and passport workers planned for the eve of the Olympics has been called off by union officials.A public sector strike involving immigration and passport workers planned for the eve of the Olympics has been called off by union officials.
The Public and Commercial Services union said the government had agreed to the creation of hundreds of new jobs.The Public and Commercial Services union said the government had agreed to the creation of hundreds of new jobs.
Thursday is expected to be Heathrow airport's busiest day ever as thousands of spectators arrive for the Games.Thursday is expected to be Heathrow airport's busiest day ever as thousands of spectators arrive for the Games.
In the first event later, Britain's women footballers play in Cardiff, two days before the opening ceremony.In the first event later, Britain's women footballers play in Cardiff, two days before the opening ceremony.
The Team GB women's football side will get 18 days of sport under way at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.The Team GB women's football side will get 18 days of sport under way at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.
In other Olympics news:In other Olympics news:
  • The launch of Games Lanes in London has caused confusion, with some of the lanes still open to everyone, and signs on some stretches apparently offering conflicting advice to motorists
  • The Olympic flame visits Wembley Stadium as it travels 30 miles through the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. Follow day 68 of the torch relay here, during which England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, and decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will be among the torchbearers
  • The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London
  • The launch of Games Lanes in London has caused confusion, with some of the lanes still open to everyone, and signs on some stretches apparently offering conflicting advice to motorists
  • The Olympic flame visits Wembley Stadium as it travels 30 miles through the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. Follow day 68 of the torch relay here, during which England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, and decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will be among the torchbearers
  • The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London
Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike, based on the argument there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members.Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike, based on the argument there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members.
But on Wednesday morning, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka announced the suspension of the strike after "major progress" in the dispute.But on Wednesday morning, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka announced the suspension of the strike after "major progress" in the dispute.
He said 800 new jobs were to be created in the Border Agency and 300 in passport offices.He said 800 new jobs were to be created in the Border Agency and 300 in passport offices.
Recruitment adverts had already been placed for the jobs at sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, the union added.Recruitment adverts had already been placed for the jobs at sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, the union added.
The Olympic Route Network (ORN), made up of 175 miles of roads connecting up the main Olympic venues across the country, has come into force on Wednesday.
It is designed to make it easier for athletes and officials to get around the Games and has seen junctions blocked off, bus stops moved and parking bays suspended.
Traffic needs
As part of the ORN, designated Games Lanes in London are in operation between 06:00 BST (05:00 GMT) and midnight and only open to VIPs, athletes and accredited media.
Ordinary motorists going into the lanes face fines of £130.
But the Games Lanes are intended to be flexible to traffic needs, resulting in confusion among motorists on the A40 in west London on Wednesday morning at electronic signs suggesting they could use the lane alongside fixed signs warning that the Games Lane was being enforced.
Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director of surface transport, said people accidentally straying into the lanes would not automatically incur a fine.
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."