Transport
Transport Plans Full Steam Ahead – at 140mph!
The Javelin Service
Kent partners recently met with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) to discuss some of the outstanding challenges for Kent that have not been answered in the current draft of the London 2012 Transport Plan.
The new high speed rail service - which will become the Javelin service during the period of the Games - was soft-launched in June, providing Kent with its very own high-speed rail link directly into London. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 140mph and deliver Kent people to London St Pancras and Stratford, home of the Olympic Park, in record breaking time!
Passengers from Ebbsfleet will be able to reach the Olympic Park in just 9 ½ minutes in Games time. Outside of Games time, the Javelin service is expected to cut travel times from Ashford to London down to 37 minutes and Ebbsfleet to St Pancras to just 17 minutes.
Southeastern Trains began running a limited high-speed service on 29 June, with a full service starting from 13 December offering 200 services a day.
How will this affect my journey to work in 2012?
It is expected that two trains an hour will continue to Ashford for all but approximately a two hour period during evening peak times.
Key ceremonies and finals (particularly in the second week of the Games) are likely to be held after typical peak travel times, but with the impact of the public travelling to the Olympic Park to watch these, then possibly we will experience an increased volume of people using public transport.
Ebbsfleet International Station and Bluewater will both provide parking for Games visitors who will then travel into the Olympic Park by train (from Ebbsfleet). There will be dedicated Olympic coach services operating to and from Ebbsfleet station to wider Kent.
Tickets to the Games will include free travel on public transport in London for the day of the event to encourage spectators to use the transport system and take in the festivities throughout the city.
Key Dates
- November 2009: Olympic Delivery Authority 2nd draft Transport Plan
- Autumn 2010: ODA 2nd Transport Plan (final)
- Spring 2011: Tickets for Games go on sale
Please note that firm announcements will be made in advance of August 2012, and any alterations or concerns about changes to regular services may still be provisional.
Travel to London via the A2
It is likely that the A2 will see heavier congestion during the Games period, but it is currently too early to gauge the effect High Speed rail services will have on reducing the volume of road traffic.
