Haulage and distribution costs in and around London are going to rise significantly during the extended Olympic period, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned.

"Customers should expect significantly higher charges, as their transport suppliers gear up for the Olympics,” said RHA director of policy Jack Semple.

“Heavy congestion is expected across the London area as a result of an influx of people into the capital and significant restrictions to the road network aimed at getting Olympians to the Games on time.

"We have reviewed the information available from the Olympic Delivery Authority and Transport for London with members from across the industry and it is clear that we are going to need more trucks and more staff to meet the existing business requirements, let alone the needs of the Games themselves.

"Businesses in London should be aware that congestion is likely to impact on goods moving out of the capital, as well as in-bound deliveries.”

He added: "London is obviously the major area for the Olympics but we expect congestion problems at Weymouth and the other Olympic venues.”