London 2012: Games transport 'moving well' as athletics starts
London Olympics transport holding out - Boris Johnson
(40 minutes later)
London's transport system is said to be operating well after earlier problems in its sternest Olympics test yet.
London's transport system is "holding out very well" in the face of its sternest Olympics test yet, London Mayor Boris Johnson has said.
A signal failure on the Tube's Central Line, which serves the Olympic Park in Stratford, caused some problems, with 200,000 people expected at the park on the first day of the athletics.
A signal failure on the Tube's Central Line, which serves the Olympic Park in Stratford, caused some problems earlier, with 200,000 expected at the park on the first day of the athletics.
Transport for London said it was keeping the city "moving" and the problems were "quickly resolved".
Mr Johnson said other routes "immediately took up the slack".
GB's rowers have won gold in women's double sculls and two bronze medals.
GB's rowers have won gold in women's double sculls and two bronze medals.
Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins won the gold - Team GB's sixth of the Games - minutes after George Nash and William Satch won their bronze medal in the men's rowing pairs. Alan Campbell later won bronze in the men's single sculls.
The results mean Team GB has won four golds in 24 hours and moved up to fourth in the medals table.
Medal hopes are also high for swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who defends her 800m freestyle title, the men's track cycling pursuit team and cyclist Victoria Pendleton, in the keirin.
Medal hopes are also high for swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who defends her 800m freestyle title, the men's track cycling pursuit team and cyclist Victoria Pendleton, in the keirin.
Up to 80,000 were in the Olympic Stadium for the first of two sessions at the athletics, where heptathlete Jessica Ennis set a British record in the 100m hurdles.
Up to 80,000 were in the Olympic Stadium for the first of two sessions at the athletics, where heptathlete Jessica Ennis set a British record in the 100m hurdles.
In a statement, Transport for London said: "London's transport network is getting people to their events on time and keeping London moving on what is the busiest day of the Games. The venues are packed and the public transport network continues to support a fantastic Games.
In other developments:
"While there was a short suspension on part of the Central line earlier today, it was quickly resolved. All other lines were running a good service and we were able to get spectators to the Olympic Park well in time for the start of today's events."
A spectator has been arrested after the family of Australian cyclist Kaarle McCulloch was allegedly subjected to a torrent of abuse as she competed in the women's team sprint on Thursday night
Transport for London says it the busiest times on its network are likely to be between 1600 BST and 2000 BST. It also expects the transport system to be busier than usual from 2100 BST until the network closes
The tennis schedule has been altered, with three semi-finals now to be played on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. Those with Court One tickets had expected to see a men's semi-final but will now see a women's semi-final and some doubles matches
Andy Murray will play Novak Djokovic on Centre Court in the men's tennis singles semi-finals at Wimbledon - his match was not moved
Great Britain's women's football team are taking on Canada in their quarter-final match in Coventry 'Quickly resolved'
Friday's events at the Olympic stadium will bring thousands more people pouring into the east London park and Transport for London (TFL) has warned public transport services and roads to the Olympic Park will be exceptionally busy, urging anyone not going to the site to avoid the area.
Boris Johnson, meanwhile, said the transport network was "going to stand up".
The BBC's Claire Heald, at the Olympic Park, said the Stratford area was congested.
During the morning rush hour there were problems on the Central Line following a signal failure at Bethnal Green station, London Underground said.
Tickets are being accepted on National Rail services in the area, while Transport for London are encouraging those attending the Games to use alternative lines and stations close to the Olympic Park.
The Central Line didn't play ball on the busiest day so far of these Games, going down between transport hub Liverpool Street and Leytonstone due to a signal failure.
The Central Line didn't play ball on the busiest day so far of these Games, going down between transport hub Liverpool Street and Leytonstone due to a signal failure.
It's the kind of problem that people here are saying doesn't cast the best light on a 21st Century city's transport system.
It's the kind of problem that people here are saying doesn't cast the best light on a 21st Century city's transport system.
And it left some of the 200,000 people heading to the Olympic Park for the first day of athletics stranded and delayed.
And it left some of the 200,000 people heading to the Olympic Park for the first day of athletics stranded and delayed.
There were big queues at St Pancras station as people tried to board the Javelin train, and Stratford was congested at its peak.
There were big queues at St Pancras station as people tried to board the Javelin train, and Stratford was congested at its peak.
The sight of three wide rivers of people pouring in across the bridge by the Aquatics Centre was something to behold.
The sight of three wide rivers of people pouring in across the bridge by the Aquatics Centre was something to behold.
But from the regular roars inside the stadium as the athletics session starts, people have made it to their seats.
But from the regular roars inside the stadium as the athletics session starts, people have made it to their seats.
And long queues were reported earlier for the high speed "Javelin" service, which carries passengers from St Pancras International to Stratford.
"You saw the pictures of that stadium this morning - it's incredible, it's rammed with people," he said.
In other developments:
He added: "There will be difficulties, there will be imperfections, but it's holding out very well."
Transport for London says it the busiest times on its network are likely to be between 1600 BST and 2000 BST. It also expects the transport system to be busier than usual from 2100 BST until the network closes
The tennis schedule has been altered, with three semi-finals now to be played on the Centre Court at Wimbledon. Those with Court One tickets had expected to see a men's semi-final but will now see a women's semi-final and some doubles matches
Andy Murray will play Novak Djokovic on Centre Court in the men's tennis singles semi-finals at Wimbledon - his match was not moved
Team GB's 400m hurdles world champion Dai Greene eased into Saturday night's semi-finals with a win in his heat. And fellow Briton Christine Ohuruogu came second in the women's 400m heats to qualify for semi-finals, also on Saturday night.
Ennis, a gold medal prospect for Team GB, is also competing in the high jump, shot put and 200m on Friday. The event concludes on Saturday with the long jump, javelin and the 800m
Great Britain's women's football team taking on Canada in their quarter-final match in Coventry
Following problems on the Central Line during morning rush hour - caused by a signal failure at Bethnal Green station - Transport for London said it was keeping the city "moving" and the problems were "quickly resolved".
"All other lines were running a good service and we were able to get spectators to the Olympic Park well in time for the start of today's events," it said in a statement.
"London's transport network is getting people to their events on time and keeping London moving on what is the busiest day of the Games."
Friday's events at the Olympic stadium will bring thousands more people pouring into the east London park and Transport for London (TFL) has warned public transport services and roads to the Olympic Park will be exceptionally busy, urging anyone not going to the site to avoid the area.
Long queues were reported earlier for the high speed "Javelin" service, which carries passengers from St Pancras International to Stratford.
The BBC's Claire Heald, at the Olympic Park, said the Stratford area was congested.
The Olympic Park's neighbouring Westfield shopping centre will be restricted for the next two days.
The Olympic Park's neighbouring Westfield shopping centre will be restricted for the next two days.
Only staff and Olympic ticket holders will be able to go into the shopping centre between 10:30 BST and 17:00 as organisers seek to minimise congestion.
Only staff and Olympic ticket holders will be able to go into the shopping centre between 10:30 BST and 17:00 as organisers seek to minimise congestion.
London's transport commissioner Peter Hendy said: "This Friday and Saturday will be the busiest days of the Games so far as the Olympic Stadium opens its doors and sporting events continue to take place across the capital.
"Westfield Stratford City may not be open to shoppers without a ticket during these times but London has a rich and vast array of other attractions to offer during the Games."
Are you travelling to the Olympic Park? What has your journey been like? Please tell us your experiences using the form below.
Are you travelling to the Olympic Park? What has your journey been like? Please tell us your experiences using the form below.
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