The Games Lane on the eastbound M4 became operational this morning to help the Games family travel safely, securely and efficiently to their destinations.

The Lane was in operation this morning between 6.30am and 11.40am and during that period there was no discernable change in usual traffic levels into London.

The M4 Games Lane can be used by:
* Members of the Games family including athletes, their officials and equipment arriving at Heathrow for their journey to the Olympic Village in Stratford. Some 80% of Games family arrivals are expected to pass through this way.
* Emergency Vehicles: A vehicle being used for police, ambulance or fire and rescue authority purposes.
* Licensed taxis
* Special Forces: a vehicle being driven subject to the orders of a member of the armed forces of the Crown.
* A vehicle being used for the purpose of Incident Management, e.g. Traffic Officer vehicle or incident support vehicle.

The M4 is part of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and provides an important access route for members of the Games family including athletes, their officials and equipment arriving at Heathrow for their journey to the Olympic Village in Stratford. Some 80% of Games family arrivals are expected to pass through this way.

The lane will operate from today during the periods when most of the Games family will arrive. These are between 16 July and 4 August, and between 22 and 29 August inclusive.

It will be clearly signed, and activated when needed for periods between 5am and 10pm.

Outside the operational periods, the lane can be used by general traffic.

Drivers are reminded that a 7.5 tonne weight restriction exists between junctions 3 and 2 in both directions as a result of ongoing repair work on the Boston Manor Viaduct. Olympic buses are exempt from the weight restriction from today (Monday).