London 2012 Olympics: Thames cable car set to open in time for Games

The Emirates Air Line South Terminal at Greenwich Peninsula

Pictures by GLENN COPUS ©

13 June 2012

The Thames cable car looks set to be open to the paying public in time for the Olympic Games, it emerged today.

Engineers have been in a race against time to finish the ambitious £45 million project before the opening ceremony on July 27.

Mayor Boris Johnson has refused to confirm whether the project will be open to the public during the Games but the Standard now understands senior figures on the project are confident it will soon be operational.

Bosses are now waiting for the Department of Transport to allow the cable car to open following the completion of safety tests.

Emirates, which also sponsors Arsenal football club, is funding the scheme, called the Emirates Air Line, which will link the O2 arena in Greenwich with the Excel exhibition centre at the Royal Docks. It could be used to ferry athletes across the Thames to the arena, which is hosting the gymnastics and basketball events.

A London transport source today said: “Whatever happens, it’s going to come down to the wire. We’re hopeful but it’s going to be close and the process can’t and won’t be rushed.”

There will be 34 cable cars carrying 2,500 passengers an hour. The gondolas, about 160 feet above the river, will run every 30 seconds and the journey will take five minutes. The new TfL Tube map released this week features the cable car for the first time. It is the first time a company’s branding has been allowed on the map.

The TfL source said: “When it is opened the river crossing will provide a crucial transport link so Londoners can take advantage of the new jobs being created by the Royal Docks enterprise zone.

“But it also has huge potential to act as a focal point to attract new companies and investors to this long under-used area.”

But Mr Johnson’s opponents remain concerned. Lib-Dem Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: “After misleading Londoners and claiming two years ago that the Thames cable car would not cost a penny of taxpayers’ money it is time the Mayor provided some honest answers.

“Not only do we need to know when it will finally open but the Mayor must also tell us how much a ride will cost and whether Oyster will be accepted from the start.”

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London 2012 Olympics: Thames cable car set to open in time for Games

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