Monday, 15th March 2010
LONDON OLYMPICS spectators in their hundreds of thousands will travel to the 2012 venues by boat, according to official sources.
Given the added traffic on the roads come 2012, organisers have earmarked the Thames as a handy alternative that could serve up to 160,000 people a day, just under 10% of the total.
Thames Clippers, which currently runs a riverbus service, will have boats launching every 15 minutes during the Olympics and it is likely those big sun-roofed boats normally reserved for tourist jaunts will also be used.
"A boat trip will be a fun way for spectators to arrive at one of the riverside 2012 venues," said Hugh Sumner, of the Olympic Delivery Authority.
"The river is one of London's great features and we're working to make the most of it by utilising existing transport capacity, alongside some extra services and improved infrastructure."
Among the events situated near the river are: basketball and gymnastics and at the O2 arena; beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade; equestrian events in Greenwich and shooting at Woolwich.
£500,000 is being spent on tidying up some of the piers on the Thames route, which Olympics types hope will leave a legacy in higher river boat use after the Games.
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