Travel Advice for Students studying in London with St Giles this Summer

The London 2012 Olympic Games will be held in London and across the UK from 27 July to 12 August 2012, followed by the Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September 2012.

Students who are booked in to study English in London at St Giles London Central and London Highgate for this period are sure to enjoy an incredible atmosphere here. However, with a million people expected to visit the UK over the next few months, London is also going to be a very busy place. We therefore advise students to plan ahead so they can easily navigate London’s transport system this summer.

What should you expect?

25% more passengers are expected to travel during the Games period and Monday, 30^th July 2012 in particular will be an exceptionally busy day
Travel delays are expected at major tube stations and especially at stations that provide an interchange for several lines
The busiest station is likely to be London Bridge and the Northern, Jubilee and Central Lines are expected to be especially busy
The tube will run around 60 minutes later than normal on all days, including Sundays. Last tube trains from central London will leave around 1.30am
Bus transport is recommended during this period, but there will be some diversions especially along the Olympic Route Network (ORN)
Our London Central school is located opposite Russell Square. The Square has been designated as the media communication area for the Games which means that Russell Square will become a travel hub for 5,000 accredited journalists and a central terminal for travel to and from the venues
Up to 70 coaches are expected to leave the Square every hour. Southampton Row (where our building is) is also on the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and a Games Lane will operate outside the school

What should you do?

Allow extra time for your journey to and from the school (up to half an hour) as you may need to queue for train services at certain times
Try to avoid getting on and off at tube stations that serve as an interchange for several lines
Plan to cycle or walk more – tube stations in London are often a lot closer together than you think!
Make sure you have several alternative routes and travel options available to you just in case there are problems with a particular route. If possible, test the routes before the Games begin
Make sure you check bus timetables and routes in advance. Because our London Central school is on the Olympic Route Network (ORN) buses may be diverted.
Don’t ask for any post or deliveries to be delivered to the London Central school during the Games period as it is on the ORN so vehicles cannot stop outside the school
Avoid arranging to meet friends or family in the entrances or exits of tube stations

Where can you find out more?

Visit the Get Ahead of the Games website to find out which areas will be most affected: http://www.getaheadofthegames.com/travelinaffectedareas/city/london-public-transport.html#
Use the Transport for London (TFL) journey planner to plan your journey and for advice on underground and bus travel routes throughout London: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/
Download details on all of the diversions for buses in central London:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/bus-service-alterations-2012-games.pdf

Use the Live London Bus Tracker android application for the latest bus arrival times for every bus stop in London: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appeffectsuk.bustracker
Get a walking map for Euston Station from the St Giles London Central accommodation office
You can also receive live travel updates from Twitter @GAOTG
Download the British Council’s English for the Games document: http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/english-for-the-games/visitors

If you are coming tolearn English in London with us over the next few months, we hope you have a fantastic stay here!

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