Dome to encourage pedal power

The New Millennium Experience Company is hoping to persuade people to travel to the Dome site in Greenwich, south-east London, by bicycle from the centre of the capital, Peter Mandelson, minister without portfolio, disclosed yesterday. Up to pounds 500,000 will be contributed by the company to the costs of improving cycle and pedestrian routes in the vicinity of the site, he said in a Commons written reply.

His comments followed highly critical Commons select committee report on transport arrangements for the Dome, expressing particular concern about delays in the construction of the London Underground Jubilee Line link to Greenwich and the expected costs of travelling by river to the site.

Mr Mandelson said there would be "a riverside cycle way linking the site to 'historic Greenwich', which will form part of the proposed Thames Cycle Route from central London", and storage facilities for bikes at the festival site.