By Anthony Bond

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This road looks set to be the most expensive motorists have ever driven on in the UK.

Located in central London, it is one of the key routes for competitors and officials looking to get to the Olympic Stadium.

But just when motorists thought the designated Olympic lanes couldn't get any more confusing, they face an even harder time working out how to drive along here.

Bizarre: Motorists travelling along Southampton Row in central London face just two options - and both are illegal. They can either travel in the bus lane, the Olympic lane or on the wrong side of the road

Bizarre: Motorists travelling along Southampton Row in central London face just three options - and all are illegal. They can either travel in the bus lane, the Olympic lane or on the wrong side of the road

As this picture shows, motorists travelling along Southampton Row face three options  - and all are illegal.

They can either travel in the bus lane, the Olympic lane or on the wrong side of the road.

Obviously no driver would want to travel on the wrong side of the road. But motorists caught travelling in either a bus lane or Olympic lane during operational hours face a 130 fine.

The Olympic lanes are part of the Olympic Route Network which is a series of roads linking all competition venues and other key sites.

It is hoped they will ensure that all athletes and officials get to events on time.

The first of these lanes opened between Heathrow and London today causing confusion on some of Britain's busiest commuter routes.

Congestion: Cars battled to get out of the Olympic lane on the A4, even though restrictions were not yet in force

Congestion: Cars battled to get out of the Olympic lane on the A4 today , even though restrictions were not yet in force

One of the lanes is situated on the M4 which is reserved for the exclusive use of competitors and VIPs attending the Games.

But the new regulations led to confusion on the A4 and the A40, where Olympic driving restrictions are yet to come into force.

Pictures showed motorists battling to get out of the lanes as traffic queued to enter the capital.

Charging began on the M4 today because the first athletes were arriving in London to prepare for the Games, which start on July 27.

Restrictions on other Olympic lane routes - known collectively as the Olympic Route Network - are not scheduled to come into force until July 25, two days before the opening ceremony.

However, despite numerous requests by MailOnline, Transport for London (TfL) bosses were today unable to provide a list of which roads are affected.

There was similar confusion on the A40 in west London, where motorists kept clear of an Olympic lane

There was similar confusion on the A40 in west London, where motorists kept clear of an Olympic lane

Buses used the M4 lane to ferry athletes and VIPs from Heathrow airport to the Olympic village in Stratford, east London, which opened today.

The M4 lane opened as Heathrow prepared for potentially the busiest day in its history, with competitors from more than 60 countries due to arrive today.

The traffic problems were first reported by Sky News to be on the M4, but further enquiries established that the tailback images it broadcast were from the A4.

Ironically, the Highways Agency said few problems were reported on the M4 itself.

TfL admitted that some motorists on the A4 and A40 appeared to have been 'confused'.

Garrett Emmerson, a senior officer at the transport body, said: 'The only section of Games lane that is already operational in London is the M4 bus lane.

'Preparations for the ORN began at the beginning of the month, including painting the road markings for Games lanes, but we have always clearly stated that these lanes will not be operational until 25 July, a couple of days ahead of the Games.

'Variable message signs ahead of and along the A4 and across the ORN clearly state that the Games lanes are open to all road users.

An official Olympic bus uses the M4 route, the first of the Games Lanes to open

An official Olympic bus heads down the M4 route, as a car in front indicates to rejoin the middle lane

'London’s roads are getting busier with Games traffic as athletes, officials and the media start to arrive for the Games and as the capital continues its transformation into a huge sporting and cultural venue.

'As we get closer to the Games roads will become exceptionally busy and our advice to motorists is clear – avoid driving in central London, around the ORN and Games venues but if a journey is absolutely essential be sure to plan ahead by visiting getaheadofthegames.com and allow extra time.

'Motorists are heeding that advice and we have already seen a 10 per cent reduction in traffic levels in central London.'

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Most of me and my home boys get around by bus and tube. Never cause any trouble man. We came to the help of a lovely old lady who had fallen over the other week. It was a feature in the local paper. Us gets judged by people on here who have never met us or want to.

Haha gotta love Englande (yes Englande not England)

Where's Seb Coe? Haven't seen much of him recently, or has he gone on annual leave?!

The Olympics is going to be a joke they said that British people would Be getting jobs making everything clean and what do the organiser do They hire people from abroad then we have the security aspect which Is totally useless so what does the government do bring in the soldiers who Not long ago found out they where losing there jobs and still they are expected To be there Sorry but I for one am glad I don't live in London it's going to be hell And nobody will caren

The DM is so anti British!!!! Shame on you!

It was on sky news that when the Olympics start , normal traffic will travel in the bus lanes - DM does like to stir!

i live and work in london but i have had to have my holiday around the olympics and go stay with mine and my partners parents. its bad enough as it is its gonna be worse

Just another example of how the holders of the public purses in this country don't have a clue. Day in, day out, shambles after shambles appear in print. Local councils should be replaced by a classroom full of 10 year olds. Seriously, they would make more sensible decisions - no disrespet meant to the 10 year olds.

Fine DM, but in writing this article couldn't you have explained what we are suppose to do when encountering this bus lane/olympic lane situation!

Oh dear!

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