PEOPLE are being urged to start making travel plans now for the Olympic Sailing events.

History will be made this summer when Weymouth and Portland hosts the first-ever ticketed event for Olympic sailing, and the seafront comes alive with free cultural celebrations.

The borough is expected to attract the highest numbers of visitors, outside of London, during the home Games with more than 60,000 people at peak times.

Olympic Delivery Authority director of transport Hugh Sum-ner said residents will see ‘unbelievable’ crowds and businesses would benefit – but preparations needed to be made.

Mr Sumner visited the Traffic Control Centre in Dorchester, to launch the ‘Get Ahead of the Games’ public awareness campaign with Olympic gold-medallist Star sailor Andrew Simpson.

Head of traffic for Dorset County Council Matthew Piles and borough chamber of commerce chairman Anna-Maria Geare also attended the launch event, which urges day-trippers, residents and holidaymakers to start planning their travel and transport for Games-time.

Mr Sumner said: “There is nothing bigger than this.

“It’s like hosting 26 World Championships at the same time in the same place with crowds of which you will not believe.

“For Weymouth, Portland and Dorset you’re looking at half a million spectators enjoying themselves, watching the sailors and having the time of their lives.

“There will be huge opportunities for businesses, shops, cafes, restaurants and accommodation providers.

“However, it does mean that Weymouth and Portland and Dorset is going to be very, very busy with 60,000-plus people a day at peak times.

“It will be life as unusual.”

People are being urged to travel by foot, on bikes and public transport instead of by car during the two-week event and visitors are advised to book their trains, coaches and park and rides now.

Mr Miles said South West Trains will be doubling its capacity to 7,500 passengers a day for the Olympics.

Sherborne athlete Andrew Simpson, who will be racing the Star keelboat with Iain Percy, said: “We’re just months away from the next Olympics.

“It wouldn’t happen without all the people doing all the planning, it’s a huge, huge event for Weymouth and Portland, you can’t imagine what it’s going to be like.

“In Sydney, it really worked because people embraced what was going on, everyone had a fantastic period of their lives.”

He added: “From May we’re pretty much going to be based full-time in Weymouth and Portland.

“There have been huge changes to the road networks here, yes there’s been disruption to get to this point but also huge improvements for the future.

“Obviously we want the whole country to come and support the British Sailing Team.

“There will be free events on the beach, lots going on, just make sure you can get here and have a great time.”

60,000 a day

PEAK days in Weymouth and Portland during the two-week Olympic sailing events have been revealed by the ODA.

Visitor numbers are expected to top 60,000 a day between Sunday, July 29, and Saturday, August 11, for the sailing medal races and cultural events.

In addition to the ticketed site at the Nothe, attractions will include a free Live Site on Weymouth Beach for 15,000 people at a time, the Weymouth Bayside Festival and the Maritime Mix programme of cultural events.

This will put Dorset’s transport system under significant pressure.

New services such as temporary park-and-ride for visitors and enhanced public transport will be provided to ensure spectators can get to events on time and minimise disruption for residents Matthew Piles, Dorset County Council 2012 roads and traffic manager, said a new travel website, www.traveldorset.org, represented seven years of work, aimed to keep people moving during the Games with up-to-date travel information.

He said the transport measures also aim to minimise the impacts of Games-time traffic on residents and businesses, particularly in the morning and evening rush hours.

Advice on how to prepare for the Games can be found at getaheadofthegames.com