London's new cable cars are to open at midday today in time for the Olympics, which start just under a month from now on 27th July.
The cable cars will take passengers across the Thames between the ExCel Arena exhibition centre and the O2 arena, formerly the Millennium Dome.
Workers sit in gondolas as they perform tests on the new cable car link across the River Thames in London
Although the gondolas, which will travel 160 feet above the river, are due to be an eye-catching feature, they are seen as a vital cross-Thames link in east London and part of the drive to regenerate the local economy.
The journey across the Thames will last around five minutes and will take spectators and athletes to and fro the ExCel Arena exhibition centre from the O2 arena, formerly the Millennium Dome.
The gondolas link the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks
There will be 34 gondolas carrying 2,500 passengers an hour.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'Gliding serenely through the air across the Thames will provide a truly sublime, bird's eye view of our wonderful city.
'This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the Capital, providing a much-needed river crossing.'
The cable cars are not merely there just for the London Olympics, however. They will be a part of the London landscape for years to come.
The Emirates Airline seen against the backdrop of the Gherkin, one of London's most famous landmarks
Cabins are tested high above the O2 arenas, formerly the Millennium Dome, and the River Thames in London
During the test drives the gondolas were filled with workers to see how the system would cope with passengers
The cables run high above the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf giving the passengers excellent views of the City
Read more: Cable cars across the Thames will be ready in time for London Olympics | Mail Online
The cable cars will take passengers across the Thames between the ExCel Arena exhibition centre and the O2 arena, formerly the Millennium Dome.
Workers sit in gondolas as they perform tests on the new cable car link across the River Thames in London
Although the gondolas, which will travel 160 feet above the river, are due to be an eye-catching feature, they are seen as a vital cross-Thames link in east London and part of the drive to regenerate the local economy.
The journey across the Thames will last around five minutes and will take spectators and athletes to and fro the ExCel Arena exhibition centre from the O2 arena, formerly the Millennium Dome.
The gondolas link the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks
The Emirates-sponsored transport will be the first urban cable car system of its kind in the UK.
There will be 34 gondolas carrying 2,500 passengers an hour.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: 'Gliding serenely through the air across the Thames will provide a truly sublime, bird's eye view of our wonderful city.
'This innovative airborne travel link will be a vital component in the ongoing renaissance of a vibrant easterly quarter of the Capital, providing a much-needed river crossing.'
The cable cars are not merely there just for the London Olympics, however. They will be a part of the London landscape for years to come.
The Emirates Airline seen against the backdrop of the Gherkin, one of London's most famous landmarks
Cabins are tested high above the O2 arenas, formerly the Millennium Dome, and the River Thames in London
During the test drives the gondolas were filled with workers to see how the system would cope with passengers
The cables run high above the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf giving the passengers excellent views of the City
Read more: Cable cars across the Thames will be ready in time for London Olympics | Mail Online