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London 2012: Games transport challenge as athletics starts London 2012: Games transport challenge as athletics starts
(40 minutes later)
London's transport system is facing its sternest test yet with some 200,000 people expected at the Olympic Park for its busiest day since the Games began.London's transport system is facing its sternest test yet with some 200,000 people expected at the Olympic Park for its busiest day since the Games began.
A signal failure on the Tube's Central Line, which serves the park in Stratford, has caused some problems.A signal failure on the Tube's Central Line, which serves the park in Stratford, has caused some problems.
But up to 80,000 were in the Olympic Stadium for the start of the athletics, where heptathlete Jessica Ennis set a British record in the 100m hurdles.But up to 80,000 were in the Olympic Stadium for the start of the athletics, where heptathlete Jessica Ennis set a British record in the 100m hurdles.
British hopes for medals are in rowing, track cycling and swimming later. GB won gold in women's double skulls and bronze in the men's rowing pair.
Other British hopes for medals are in track cycling and swimming later.
Team GB have risen to fifth in the overall medal table with five golds after three were secured on Thursday.Team GB have risen to fifth in the overall medal table with five golds after three were secured on Thursday.
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.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.
The BBC's Claire Heald, at the Olympic Park, said the Stratford area was congested.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.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.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.And long queues were reported earlier for the high speed "Javelin" service, which carries passengers from St Pancras International to Stratford.
In other developments:In other developments:
  • Some 22 golds and 23 sports are up for grabs on day seven of the Games
  • Ennis, a gold medal prospect for Team GB, will also compete in the high jump, shot put and 200m on Friday. The event concludes on Saturday with the long jump, javelin and the 800m
  • British athletes in action on Friday will also include world champion Dai Greene in the men's 400m hurdles heats and defending Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in the women's 400m
  • Britain's hopes of winning an Olympic archery medal were ended on Friday when Larry Godfrey was narrowly beaten in the last 16 by Khairul Mohamad.
  • Andy Murray will Novak Djokovic in the men's tennis singles semi-finals at Wimbledon
  • Great Britain's women's football team taking on Canada in their quarter-final match in Coventry.
  • Some 22 golds and 23 sports are up for grabs on day seven of the Games
  • Ennis, a gold medal prospect for Team GB, will also compete in the high jump, shot put and 200m on Friday. The event concludes on Saturday with the long jump, javelin and the 800m
  • British athletes in action on Friday will also include world champion Dai Greene in the men's 400m hurdles heats and defending Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in the women's 400m
  • Britain's hopes of winning an Olympic archery medal were ended on Friday when Larry Godfrey was narrowly beaten in the last 16 by Khairul Mohamad
  • Andy Murray will play Novak Djokovic in the men's tennis singles semi-finals at Wimbledon
  • Great Britain's women's football team taking on Canada in their quarter-final match in Coventry
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.
The Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee and Central lines are expected to be busier than usual, especially in the morning, evening and late-evening peaks and driving in central London should be avoided where possible, TFL said.The Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee and Central lines are expected to be busier than usual, especially in the morning, evening and late-evening peaks and driving in central London should be avoided where possible, TFL said.
TfL has said Tube passenger numbers are already 10% higher than usual levels for this time of year, with journeys to "key West End stations" up 12%.TfL has said Tube passenger numbers are already 10% higher than usual levels for this time of year, with journeys to "key West End stations" up 12%.
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.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.""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."
Where Friday's events are concerned, hopes are high for rowers Katherine Grainger - who has three silvers from three previous Olympics - and Anna Watkins in the double sculls, swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who defends her 800m freestyle title, and the men's track cycling pursuit team.Where Friday's events are concerned, hopes are high for rowers Katherine Grainger - who has three silvers from three previous Olympics - and Anna Watkins in the double sculls, swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who defends her 800m freestyle title, and the men's track cycling pursuit team.
There will be two sessions at the stadium, both of which will be attended by up to 80,000 people.There will be two sessions at the stadium, both of which will be attended by up to 80,000 people.
Track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy was among the gold medallists on Thursday.Track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy was among the gold medallists on Thursday.
His victory, with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny in the team sprint, represented his fifth Olympic title and equalled rower Sir Steve Redgrave's record British, Olympic gold medal haul.His victory, with Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny in the team sprint, represented his fifth Olympic title and equalled rower Sir Steve Redgrave's record British, Olympic gold medal haul.
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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