UK Removals Guide during 2012 Olympics
The 2012 Olympics are just around the corner and although Britons may be getting excited for the biggest sporting event of the year, it will have a significant impact on anyone wishing to move house this summer and not just in the London area.
Rhonda Olsen, Marketing Director of Robinsons Relocations offers these expert top tips for any person planning a house move during the Games.
Not many people will realise how much of an affect the Olympics will have on house removals this season. People moving throughout the country, not just in London, will experience disruption due to the major events taking place across the UK.
The disruption of the Olympics isn’t just going to be couple of weeks, it will actually run for the duration of the Summer and impact on the peak house moving season! The London Games take place from 27th July to 12th August and this is then followed by the Paralympic Games from 29th August until 9th September. However, with the Queens Diamond Jubilee and Wimbledon taking place in June, disruption is expected from the end of May onwards.
The message is simple; things will not be running as normal in the UK during much of the summer, especially in the capital; so it’s important to take this into account when planning a house move this year as well as equating your budget removals costs.
But how can it affect me moving house?
Many of the main arterial roads serving London will be designated purely as Olympic Traffic Lanes. These traffic lanes amount to a third of the 109 mile Olympic Route Network (ORN) and this constitutes to 1% of the capital’s roads.
This means that there will be a reduced number of lanes and this will have a knock on effect on removal vans and moving times. The impact of the 2000 Olympics in Sydney was reportedly a nightmare with main roads blocked for weeks before events and traffic was gridlocked.
Parking is also going to be affected as parking bays will be restricted to reduce congestion and for security purposes. This again will impact removals vans, collections and deliveries in some areas.
Will it cost more to move during this period?
Unfortunately, types of surcharges will come into operation over the period and these are inevitable. Necessary surcharges will have to be implemented to cover the disruption costs and are industry-wide but the key is to work around the key dates.
Your removals firm should still offer you the very best price possible; the Olympics aren’t an excuse to raise all fees. What is important is that you still receive the same quality of service and commitment; and if there are zero restrictions to the service, all surcharges should be refunded in full.
I’m planning to rent, will it still affect me?
Regrettably, yes. Demand for accommodation in London during this peak period has soared and already landlords are seeking opportunities to capitalise on the higher rental costs they can charge.
I live outside of London, how will my house move be impacted?
The logistical challenges will transcend over the UK. The majority of events will take place at the Olympic Park in East London but all water sport events will be taking place on the south coast of England. The Olympic football tournament will also take place across varying UK cities including Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Coventry. Have a look at the official Olympics website and see if there are any events taking place where you live!
Just because the Olympics are taking place, it shouldn’t be an excuse to delay moving house. But preparation is vital to ensure that you have a stress-free, efficient removal.
