APPENDIX 37
Memorandum submitted by the Institution
of Electrical Engineers
The IEE welcomes the opportunity to submit evidence
to the Transport Committee's inquiry into the transport plans
for the 2012 Olympic Games.
The IEE has 120,000 members, covering a broad
range of engineering disciplines and representing a wide range
of technical and business expertise. Many of the most experienced
members of the IEE, and their sector peers, voluntarily participate
in a variety of IEE policy guidance groups. The IEE has formulated
this submission by combining contributions from the membership.
Attached is our detailed response to one of
the questions raised by the Transport Committee.
WHAT MIGHT
BE IN
THE OLYMPIC
TRANSPORT PLAN?
The IEE supports the transport plan as put forward
by the Olympic bid committee. The effort should be focused towards
achieving this plan rather than proposing new ideas.
The success of transport to and from the Olympic
Games will depend on investment in capacity and modernisation
of the existing local systems, principally LUL and DLR, plus perhaps
some local extensions. Some investment in the LTS and GE mainlines
could also be useful. Re-opening of the Shoreditch-Dalston line
looks likely to happen and is welcomed. The extension of this
line into the South London hinterland should also occur. Re instatement
of a cross London east-west service via the North London line
to both the GW mainline and the SW London region, and modernisation
in terms of capacity of this line would be sensible. It has been
widely recognised that the full Crossrail link from Maidenhead
to Shenfield will not be ready in time for 2012, however the completion
of the central core from Paddington to Liverpool Street or Stratford
could relieve pressure on the Central Line.
It will not be enough just to invest in schemes
around London. The whole of the UK railway system needs to be
looked at strategically and not in isolation. In addition to servicing
the Olympic venues that are outside of London, improvements will
be needed to relieve some existing bottlenecks. For example, public
transport around London could be severely hampered if consideration
is not given to diverting freight traffic away from North London.
Currently freight is routed through London due to line constraints
in other regions. For example, some freight from the Port of Felixstowe
is routed through London because the alternative route via Bury
St. Edmonds is not electrified. Freight Rail lines around Stratford,
where much of the Olympic activity will take place are already
heavily used. Much of the rail route from Colchester to Stratford
is close to capacity. With the Port of Felixstowe expected to
expand, the likelihood of rail gridlock will increase unless important
decisions involving rail within and outside London are taken.
Consideration also needs to be given to how
the large number of foreign visitors will actually use the transport
network. A minority of London rail lines do support multilingual
ticket purchase and route information; however, the vast majority
do not. To increase their confidence, visitors should be able
to easily access route planning information in advance of their
visit. This should be backed up by integrated, accurate, real
time multilingual travel information to help visitors use all
modes of transport efficiently during their stay in the UK.
9 September 2005
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