TEMPORARY measures for a direct link from the Underground in East London to the 2012 Olympics have been given the green light. An application for a footbridge linking the platforms at one of the three Gateway’ stations that spectators will use has now received planning permission

TEMPORARY measures for a direct link from the Underground in East London to the 2012 Olympics have been given the green light.

An application for a footbridge linking the platforms at West Ham, one of the three Olympic 'Gateway' stations that spectators will use, has now received planning permission, the Olympic authority announced today.

The temporary bridge over the eastbound track of the District and Hammersmith & City lines will give spectators arriving by train a direct link form the platforms onto the Greenway route to the Olympic Park without having to pass through the station barriers, while regular commuters will be able to follow their usual route with minimal disruption. Work begins next year, with the station remaining fully operational.