Transport now holds no fears

Fears that today's inspection tour of London's proposed Olympic venues could be hit by the capital's traffic problems have been eased by the fact that schools are on half term holidays.

London's transport network came bottom of the five cities bidding for the 2012 Games when the International Olympic Committee made their initial report on the capital's chances last year.

But the London 2012 team hope today to have demonstrated that the issue has become one of the real strengths of their bid.

The IOC's evaluation commission were given a presentation about the bid's transport plans last night by Hugh Sumner, director of Olympic transport at Transport for London. He told delegates: "Olympic transport is a challenge but we are confident, though not complacent, that London can deliver a spectacular Games.

"Every day 12million journeys are made on London's public transport network. Daily spectator demand during the Games will be around five per cent of this level at a time of year when 20 per cent of commuters are on holiday. The net result is that London will have an effective 15 per cent spare capacity for the Games."

Transport minister Tony McNulty said: "From being the sick man of the overall bid, transport is in the front seat and the jewel in the crown."