HR OLYMPICS SPECIAL


infrastructure is what could make or break the world’s views of the London 2012 Olympics. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry


estimates that for every day there is a tube strike in the capital, the economy has to fork out a stomach-churning £48 million in lost productivity – with staff unable to make it to work, hordes of confused tourists and the sheer influx of people convulsing the transport system and threatening to stop businesses in London and in the south-east functioning. Meanwhile, global investors look on aghast. Much has been written and said about home working,


remote working and flexible hours for employees, but this can’t be an effective strategy for London’s retailers, and with footfall in stores down over the Christmas period, employers in this sector – not to mention hospitality – will be keen to exploit the tourists for the event. But not if staff can’t make it to work... I went to meet the person with a lot of pressure on his


shoulders: Mark Evers (pictured), director of Olympic Games transport at Transport For London (TfL). I have to concede, due to the efficiency of the tube service on that


undertaking right in the centre of London.


business to focus more on the upside: the Games are an enormous


There are challenges, but this is a fantastic experience


particular day, I arrived 15 minutes early. Friendly and unfazed when challenged about the threats listed above, Evers announces: “We are ready to put on a great games and keep London moving during the Olympics. Some 70% of traffic will be unaffected during the games and 65% of tube and DLR stations will operate normally – and that involves a huge network outside central London. “We have known since November which stations will be


affected at which times. These will mainly be Bank, Canary Wharf and London Bridge, which links to Greenwich [where equestrian events will be staged], Westminster and Stratford [where the Olympic Village is located].” But Evers adds: “We are quite fortunate in that the vast


majority of our upgrades are completed and we have a new infrastructure that has been changed to ensure businesses can operate and profit during the Games. We have invested


hrmagazine.co.uk HR March 2012 19 We want to empower


Lucie Carlier


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