London may get first cable car by 2012 Olympics

Visitors to the London Olympics in 2012 could be able to cross the River Thames using the city's first ever cable car, authorities said on Sunday.      

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said he had been inspired by cable cars in New York, Singapore, Barcelona and other world cities. The £25 million($37.89 million) project would link two Olympic venues on either side of the river.

It would take five minutes to cross the river and would carry up to 2,500 passengers each hour on a stretch of the Thames that has road tunnels, but no bridges.                                           

"A cable car spanning the majestic Thames would not only provide a unique and pioneering addition to London's skyline, but also offer a serene and joyful journey across the river," Johnson said in a statement.

The privately-funded project would link the 02 arena, which hosts concerts and sporting events on the south bank, with the ExCeL conference centre on the site of the capital's old docks.                                           

The mayor said the public will be asked for their views about the idea until Aug. 2, with a planning application due later this year. If approved, the cable car should be open in time for the 2012 Olympics.