Londoners have been told that the key to surviving the traffic problems during the Olympics is to 'Plan Ahead',as preparations continue for the flagship event that is supposed to put the 'Great' back into Britain,amidst austerity and recession. Many here plan to leave the city during the event as they believe it will cause traffic chaos,and bring other problems. As the opening ceremony on July 27 nears,hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to arrive in London from all over the world. Transport officials have put up signs all over central London,asking people to access a website with details on how to plan in advance to avoid problems during the event. The website also shows hot spots to avoid on certain peak dates during the event. As the government announced unique plans to prepare for the event,a collection of organisations opposed to the way it has been organised has decided to peacefully protest against corporate sponsorship and other aspects in order to "reclaim" the Olympics. Under government plans,tens of thousands of civil servants will be allowed to work from home from July 21 until September 9,a seven-week period,to help ease traffic congestion. The period coincides with the parliamentary summer recess and the school holidays. Business leaders have reacted with dismay that civil servants will be allowed to work from home during the Olympics,since it would send the message that Britain "would close down for almost two months". A government spokesman said: "We need to do this because during the Games we are expecting London's transport networks to be much busier than usual. Working from home is one option,but only one option. Staff will be expected to work just as hard and for the same amount of hours as if they were in the office". An extra three million journeys are expected to be made in London during the Olympics,taking the total daily traffic to 15 million journeys and placing a strain on the network. Transport officials have been handing out maps to commuters urging them to consider walking to work when Games start. Amidst official preparations,a collection of groups under the name Counter Olympics Network (CON) have planned a march and rally in London's East End on 28 July ¿ a day after the Olympics begin ¿ for what is called "the greatest act of non-violent civil disobedience of our time". The CON,which is opposed to several aspects of the Olympics,including Dow Chemicals' sponsorship due to the Bhopal gas disaster,claims the support of more than 30 organisations,including anti-corporate campaigns,civil liberties groups,local trades councils,green groups,anti militarists,community groups,other anti-Olympics campaigns,disability activists,and others. CON today said that the July 28 event will be one "which symbolically reclaims the Games",a party to which everyone is invited. It claimed that it will present a truer and more optimistic vision of Britain than the officially promoted one of a "militarised and austerity ridden country that is content to be hijacked by millionaire politicians and their corporate friends". CON said the network helped to provide a co-ordinated voice for a wide range of groups which share the desire to provide a counterbalance to the "overblown mainstream pro-Olympics propaganda". CON is also concerned that the "Orwellian security apparatus and regressive legislation" put in place to protect brands,privilege,and privatised public space will not all disappear after the Olympics. CON supporter Julian Cheyne said: "The 2012 Olympics have turned into a corporate festival of world security,consuming billions of our money to increase private profits,while the elderly,disabled,sick,unemployed,young people and other groups are punished for a crisis caused by the finance industry". He added: "To stand by silently would imply we consent to this; and we do not. If you are as fed up with all of this as we are,come and join our Counter Olympics gathering on 28th July".
