Olympics transport gets David Cameron's seal of approval

After months of warnings about transport chaos during the Olympics period Transport for London appears to have nearly made it over the first hurdle. 

As the network faces its first big test carrying Olympic spectators around the city prime minister David Cameron has shown his faith in TfL by trusting the Circle Line to get him to the Games on time.

The Coalition leader Tweeted a picture of himself travelling the Acquatics Centre to watch British divers Tom Daley and Pater Waterfield compete in the Olympics diving final from his @Number10gov account.

The smartphone shot, retweeted 178 times, showed stunned passengers staring at the Prime Minister as he sat somewhat bashfully between two tourists.

Mr Cameron's foray into the Underground comes as transport chiefs celebrated successfully persuading commuters to avoid from London Bridge this morning, amid fears of Olympic overcrowding on the first working day of the Games.

Commuters said the station - one of the busiest in the Games - was actually quieter than normal, with Londoners finding alternative routes, or working from home.

Rail bosses said fewer regular commuters were using the station as thousands of equestrian fans headed to the Greenwich Park cross country event.

However, Network Rail admitted the big test was to come at London Bridge this evening when equestrian fans return from Greenwich Park via London Bridge at the same time as City workers head home.

The station will become exit-only and tens of thousands of workers heading home will be diverted to alternative stations such as Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Victoria as they are unable to board Kent-bound services at London Bridge.

Speaking at rush hour, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “So far things have gone pretty well, touch wood. People are getting the message about London Bridge and the large numbers we are expecting at Greenwich because of the equestrian events. It is going to be a big day but we think our arrangements are going to cope."