Select Committee on Transport Written Evidence


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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