OLYMPIC GAMES

Olympic Games in London

Olympic Games in London

Introduction

This paper sets out the Government's response to the Transport Committee's report “Going for Gold: Transport for London's 2012 Olympic Games” (HC 588-1 published on 16 March 2006). In preparing this response, we have worked closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). This response also therefore reflects their views. The Government, the ODA and LOCOG welcome the publication of this report and the Committee's continued scrutiny of the preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Government shares the Committee's view that the Games will be good for London and welcomes the praise for the planning and work undertaken so far. The Government also acknowledges that ensuring that London's transport infrastructure is able to meet the challenge presented by the Olympics will require considerable effort (Brassington, 2000).

The transport plans for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as set out in the Candidature File submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and refined subsequently, were the culmination of 2 ½ years of work. In developing these plans, the bid team looked closely at the experience of previous Olympic host cities and sought the advice of those involved in organising previous games. As a result the Government is confident that the London Games will have excellent transport which not only delivers for the Games themselves but also leaves a valuable legacy for years after.

Discussion and Analysis

As the sponsor of the ODA, the Department for Culture Media and Sport is responsible for ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to deliver the sound stewardship of public money. The systems will be outlined in the ODA's Management Statement and Financial Memorandum.

The systems include a Corporate Plan which sets out the goals and objectives and planned expenditure over the life of the Programme, an annual business plan and a budget all of which will be monitored at regular intervals ie monthly in the case of the budget. Progress will be monitored both by DCMS, as the ODA's sponsor and by the Olympic Board which will also determine the ODA's budget and Corporate Plan. In addition all projects in excess of a cost threshold stated in the Management Statement and Financial Memorandum will be subject to scrutiny by an Olympic Project Review Group (the OPRG). The group will be chaired by DCMS and for the purposes of transport projects will be attended by representatives of Department for Transport and/or Transport for London.

The distance between Stratford Regional and Stratford International Stations is only some 400 yards. As part of the deemed planning permission or the CTRL there is a requirement on Union Railways North to provide a mechanised link between the two stations before the international station opens. The fulfilment of this condition is a matter for Union Railways North and the London Borough of Newham, as the local planning authority. However, separately to this planning requirement, TfL has applied for ...