Home Business NewsOlympics TfL's Games travel hotspot list gets a warm welcome

TfL's Games travel hotspot list gets a warm welcome

by LLB Editor
23rd Apr 12 3:38 pm

The FSB has welcomed the fact that information about which London rail and Tube stations will be particularly busy during the Olympics has been published.

In a move that could minimise disruption caused to business owners in the capital between July 27 and August 12, Olympic organisers have teamed up with public transport authorities to produce a list of which areas of the city might be best avoided due to congestion.

Bank, Earl’s Court and London Bridge stations are expected to be “exceptionally busy” as up to three million extra journeys are made in London during the Olympics.

Transport for London (TfL) said that while about two thirds of Tube and Docklands Light Railway (DLR) stations will be unaffected, the DLR, Central and Jubilee lines will be “exceptionally busy” at certain times.

With that in mind, Matthew Jaffa, FSB London senior development manager, believes that mapping out which parts of London will be congested can only be a good thing.

He said: “It’s very welcome considering the fact that 43 per cent of our members said they couldn’t make any particular business operation adjustments during the Games, and 15 per cent of businesses also said they had not yet made any plans for during the Games.

“So this proactive messaging from TfL on the Get Ahead of the Games website is very welcome.”

Jaffa went on to say that despite the fact that the Olympics are now just over three months away, many small businesses were unable to look that far ahead.

He added: “Many businesses are more concerned about their bottom line at present and not necessarily the Games which are still about 95 days. Small businesses always think about what’s around the corner and getting through the next month but it’s vital that we continue to band this message to these businesses.”

Jaffa also added that although the general feeling among London businesses is that there will be negative impacts as opposed to positive impacts relating to the Games, small businesses are innovative and are looking to adopt flexible working practices.

Meanwhile, the London Chamber of Commerce has echoed the FSB’s sentiment in praising the publication of this information.

David Hodges, the organisation’s public affairs manager, said: “This is useful information for businesses. They need to plan around the Olympics because there is going to be disruption, especially at the major stations, so it is really important that businesses use this information to help them plan around the Olympics so they experience the minimum amount of disruption.”

London TravelWatch has also welcomed the publication of the information, saying: “It is a good thing that they’re doing the publicity in advance and they’re allowing people to make informed choices about how they make journeys and where they make them.”

Leave a Comment

CLOSE AD

Sign up to our daily news alerts

[ms-form id=1]