An important north-south transport link that will be used by thousands of spectators during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has opened ahead of schedule.

Passengers are now using the Docklands Light Railway's (DLR's) 2.5km extension from King George V north of the River Thames to Woolwich Arsenal in the south.

During the Games, this will help spectators in Woolwich and the south east get to the Olympic Park and other venues, such as ExCeL, to the north of the river. The extension was funded as part of Transport for London's (TfL's) £10bn Investment Programme.

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The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is investing around £80m in enhancements, including new rail cars, across the DLR network in time for the London 2012 Games. Part of this funding will also go towards fitting out Blackwall and East India stations to accommodate the longer three-car trains that will eventually run from the City to Woolwich Arsenal.

Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport for the ODA, said: "With 500,000 people using the DLR on each day of the first week of the Olympic Games, the DLR will be critical to our plans. We are investing in permanent improvements to the DLR network to help us deliver world-class transport for London 2012."

(CD/JM)