Could the rail link win London the Olympics?

Upgrading the rail link could move 320,000 people an hour into the Olympic zone, Transport for London were told.

Ten 12-car trains could run each hour along the track from St Pancras to Stratford, east London and Kent.

Plans to redesign public transport to support the bid were revealed by Hugh Sumner, who is heading the Olympic transport team, on Wednesday.

Other proposals include rebuilding Stratford station to double its capacity, extending the Docklands Light Railway to Woolwich and run park and ride services from outside the M25.

The Channel Tunnel high-speed link will run for 109 km (68 miles) between St Pancras station and the Channel Tunnel when the last section is complete in 2006.

The transport is significant and critical to the bid Bid organiser Hugh Sumner

The first section, between Channel Tunnel and Fawkham Junction in north Kent, opened in September.

London's bid to host the 2012 Games must be completed by November 2004.

Mr Sumner said: "The transport is significant and critical to the bid.

"It will not lose us the bid but it is important for when the powers that be evaluate it."

All projects would have to be in place by 2010, said London's transport commissioner Bob Kiley.

The transport team will also have to ensure that Tube line upgrades, improvements to the A13, the new Terminal Five at Heathrow and an extension of the East London Line into the Olympic zone are in place in time.

Transport costs for the bid have been estimated at between �450m and �700m and Mr Sumner said all projects would have a "legacy value".

All projects have yet to be funded and the government will be pressed for increased funds for London in the spending review.