Cable car may not be ready for Olympics

London Mayor Boris Johnson admitted today that the Olympic cable car project may not be finished in time for the Games.

Transport for London has never formally announced an Olympic link to the project - which will see a cable car between the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks. But it has long been seen as providing a key alternative transport link to help keep London moving during the huge influx of Olympics visitors. Construction began on the £45 million cable car system in August 2011 and the original aim was for an official opening in late Spring.

Boris Johnson confirmed today that the project is making good progress. But he was not prepared to commit to it actually being ready in time for the Games.

The 36 gondolas are undergoing the first "load tests" where 700kg weights are being used to simulate 10 passengers. According to TfL, the cable car system could provide a crossing every 30 seconds and carry up to 2,500 passengers an hour in each direction — the equivalent of 50 busloads. It would be fully accessible for pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users and pushchairs.

Transport for London have also released a video so you can see what a trip on the cable cars, which are sponsored by Emirates, would be like.