U.K. and Ireland - Cable car across Thames set to be ready for the Olympics

Another way to see London... :) I'm sure my nephew will want to try these out when they come over for the Olympics next month!

:)

Telegraph: Cable car across Thames set to be ready for the Olympics (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9336979/Cable-car-across-Thames-set-to-be-ready-for-the-Olympics.html)

In recent weeks safety tests of the £50 million network have been taking place in the hope that it will be ready by the time the Games start on July 27.

Final approval for the cable cars will be required from the Department for Transport and it is understood that the DfT is “on track” for this to be done in time.
...
There had been fears that the Emirates Airline, as the network will be known, would not be ready in time for the Games.

In all there will be 34 cable cars carrying 2,500 passengers an hour between the ExCel Arena north of the Thames and the O2 arena, formerly the Millennium Dome.

Transport for London - Emirates Air Line: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15959.aspx

Good to know. I'll make it a point of going there on my next visit to London, the views from the cable car should be good if the weather cooperates.

Another way to see London... :) I'm sure my nephew will want to try these out when they come over for the Olympics next month!

:)

Telegraph: Cable car across Thames set to be ready for the Olympics (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/9336979/Cable-car-across-Thames-set-to-be-ready-for-the-Olympics.html)
First time there is going to be a 'branded' line on the TFL map!


Transport for London - Emirates Air Line: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/15959.aspx

It's just round the corner from where we live. The cars have been doing trial runs most days for the last few weeks, at varying speeds and varying numbers of cars in use. Over the last rather windy weekend I noticed they get into a good swing. There's an expectation it will open around the end of June. It will give a good view of one of the less scenic stretches of the Thames. The westerly approach into London City airport passes directly overhead so there will be some good photos appearing I'm sure, likewise when any large ship comes up the river.

However to consider it plays any part at all in the public transport facilities of the area is a nonsense, despite what the new London Underground map may show; it's a considerable walk at both ends to get to the Underground or DLR stations, and it is far quicker to use the current facilities changing at Canning Town.

[QUOTE=WHBM;18782640
However to consider it plays any part at all in the public transport facilities of the area is a nonsense, despite what the new London Underground map may show; it's a considerable walk at both ends to get to the Underground or DLR stations, and it is far quicker to use the current facilities changing at Canning Town.[/QUOTE]

I was hoping to have a go on it but if it's a long walk from anywhere I might not bother!

There's a good dissection of the TfL press release at http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/ready-to-fly.html

Basically, it's a rather oddly-placed tourist attraction, not a mode of transport.
Also, while I'm hoping DG's suggestion of calling it the 'Arabfly Dangleway' will stick, I'd still rather Boris had stuck to his promise of naming it after the Business Secretary. (Skip forward to 6mins on http://bbc.in/MLAl3Z )