First Games Lane Opens Ahead of Olympic Rush, Guardian Says

The first Olympic vehicle lane came into operation today as athletes started arriving in London ahead of the games, the Guardian newspaper reported.

The lane is located on the M4 motorway connecting Heathrow airport and central London and will operate between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., according to the newspaper. The M4 lane is part of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) in London designed to make it easier for athletes and officials to get to and from to the Olympic village in Stratford, East London and other venues.

The ORN will be fully operational on July 25, two days before the Olympics opening ceremony, and covers 30 miles. Those who stray into designated lanes face a penalty of 130 pounds ($202) and illegally parked vehicles may incur a release fee of 200 pounds, the Guardian said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Maria Tadeo in London at mtadeo@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Douglas Lytle at dlytle@bloomberg.net