Public get say on Olympic priority lanes

LONDONERS will be able to air their views on so-called "Zil lanes" to be implemented on the capital's roads for the London Olympics when a 12-week public consultation begins next month.

The Department for Transport is expected within weeks to outline proposals for a road network open only to competitors, VIPs and medical and doping officials.

The lanes - named after the routes reserved for the Soviet Politburo cavalcades in Moscow - will link Games venues.

The Embankment will be used as the main link between East and West and planners will pay particular attention to the Blackwall Tunnel, which links the Olympic village with venues at Greenwich and Woolwich.

London deputy mayor Kit Malthouse has warned the plan could cause "major problems", but Games boss Lord Coe said "the earlier you start and make clear this is not a luxury add-on, the better. They are going-to-work lanes".