Working out how to keep running during the Olympics (From Dorset Echo)

Working out how to keep running during the Olympics

1:00pm Wednesday 18th January 2012 in Business By Joanna Davis

BUSINESSES are being told how they can keep on running during the Olympics.

A series of Travel Advice for Businesses workshops are being held in the Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester areas as the Games draw closer.

Staff from companies on the Granby Industrial Estate attended a workshop at Weymouth Fire Station to find out how they would be affected by road closures in the town.

The workshop was led by Chris Hook of the Olympic Delivery Authority and London 2012 site specific advisor Chris Hanley.

Mr Hook said: “Seven per cent of spectators to the entire Olympics are expected to come here.

“There will be well over 100 buses an hour so there could be 20,000 people descending on the town centre at once.”

Businesses are being urged to get their deliveries done early during the Olympics because the Esplanade from Greenhill to the Pavilion and Westham Road will be closed to vehicles between 10am and 10pm.

Access to the harbour will also be restricted, Mr Hook said.

He added: “Custom House Quay will be open to two-way traffic. The Park Street car park will be an accessible hub for blue badge holders.

“The Pavilion area will be a bit like the Seafood Festival – there will be food stalls, music dance and fireworks on some nights.”

Mr Hook advised businesses to make a plan to avoid peak traffic movement between 8am and 9am and to look into car sharing, the possibility of cycling or walking to work or working a different shift pattern.

Chris Hanley urged businesses to do an action plan and a ‘site audit’.

He said business owners could look at staff arrival and departure times and which workers are essential staff who need to be on site.

“We’re talking about 10 working days of travel disruption. We want people to keep a diary of deliveries you receive and send out and understand what your suppliers’ plans are for the Games and to decide what changes you might need to introduce,” he said.

Steve Cobb, managing director of Granby Industrial Estate-based New Image Tiles, said the workshop proved helpful.

He said: “We wanted to find out how the Olympics is going to affect us. We know we’re going to be juggling things around to deliver in the town centre. I think the bulk of people are understanding about it.

“It’s still early stages. From what’s been said, we’re going to need more preparation as time goes by.”

Marcus Wilson, New Image transport manager, said: “The workshop has given us a clearer understanding of what’s going to be happening.

“We will pre-plan and pre-empt what we do. We are very reactive in our business and have to consider a whole team with the plans. Businesses have to understand that it’s a two-week thing – we’re not moving heaven and earth. There’s got to be flexibility in whatever we do.”

For more information on upcoming workshops, call Chris Hook on 01305 225141 or email c.p.hook@dorsetcc. gov.uk See london2012.com/traveladviceforbusiness to download a toolkit and sign up for a newsletter.