London 2012: First Olympic Games Lanes set to start

The first of the Olympic Games Lanes come into operation on Monday on the M4, which has only just reopened following emergency repairs.

There were fears the work on the damaged flyover near junction 2 of the motorway would not be completed in time for the Games Lanes to open.

Olympic athletes and officials will be given priority use of the road.

There will be 30 miles of Games Lanes in London forming part of the Olympic Route Network (ORN) linking venues.

The Games Lanes will be clearly marked and will operate alongside existing traffic.

All road users will be able to go into the lanes when they are not in use overnight.

The M4 lane, which will be in operation between 05:00 and 22:00 is being introduced early to cope with the start of the Olympic arrivals at nearby Heathrow airport.

Sport Minister Hugh Robertson said the authorities had plans to lift the restrictions on the Games Lanes if there was gridlock.