Westfied Shopping Centre Next to Olympic Park to go Through Security Checks

cough | helvetica, sans-serif;”>Westfield shopping centre in Stratford will be under stringent security checks leading up to the Olympics due to its proximity to the Olympic Park, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) announced.

The vehicle screening process has already started this week until the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in September 2012.  

LOCOG will be working with its security provider G4S to operate vehicle screening areas, providing security checks on vehicles.   

The screening areas will be similar to others that operate at shopping centres in secure areas and will be based at Warton Road, Penny Brookes Street and the Lea Interchange off the A12. 

Vehicles selected for a search will be directed out of the traffic flow to be checked before continuing their journey into Westfield car parks.  

Over the last 10 months, London 2012 has undertaken a local consultation and communications programme aimed at local residents, especially in the Warton Road area, to ensure the plans have as little impact as possible on the daily lives of local residents.  

LOCOG CEO Paul Deighton said: “Delivering a safe and secure Games is a key priority for everyone involved in London 2012. With Westfield so close to the Olympic Park and with vehicle access to it directly accessed from the Park, it is an obvious and important part of our security plans.  

“We will make the checks as quick and unobtrusive as possible – we are confident that shoppers will recognise the need for us to be vigilant and carry out these checks.  We are also committed to working with the local community to ensure that vehicle screenings have a minimal impact on their daily lives.”

The Westfield shopping centre is due to open on 13th September 2011 and has over 4 million people within 45 minutes of the centre.

Westfield Stratford City is ready for its opening with 5,000 car parking spaces and the latest parking guidance technology