Work on the first major transport project, a new railway depot used to ‘park' extra trains from peak periods, began in December 2006. It will be completed by the end of December 2010, when access and capacity improvements at Stratford Regional and West Ham Stations are finished.
The ODA is on track with its programme of improvements that will leave legacy benefits for London long after the Games. Work completed to date includes:
- 12 track railway sidings constructed at Orient Way;
- Two new platforms for North London Line services to replace the low level platforms previously used by the DLR;
- The first of 22 new DLR rail cars co-funded by the ODA are in service;
- The construction of a new Eastern Egress bridge at Stratford International Station to shorten the walking distance to Stratford Regional Station;
- The DLR's second crossing under the river to Woolwich Arsenal, opened in February 2009, which will host the Shooting events;
- Work on the DLR extension to Stratford International is well underway and is on track to open in July 2010;
- Passengers at Stratford Regional Station are already using three new lifts and wider staircases. A new upper level station entrance and westbound Central Line platform are all on track to be completed by the end of 2010;
- Work has started on improving cycle routes in east London as a result of the ODA's £11m investment;
- Operational planning, including timetabling, is being developed.
As well as permanent improvements, such as new lifts, platforms, railcars and stations, work is well underway on planning services to meet the additional demand for transport during the Games.
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Moving hundreds of thousands of spectators and tens of thousands of athletes, media, officials and Games workers in the summer of 2012 is a huge logistical challenge.
'We are on track for completing the transport improvements needed for Games and legacy. We are not complacent and are working hard with our transport delivery partners to ensure that we maintain this good progress as we move into detailed operational planning.'
