A three-year, �550million upgrade of London Overground is complete with a new timetable that promises double the number of trains on key Olympic rail routes.

The works programme means services from Richmond and Clapham Junction to Stratford will run four times an hour every day and increasing the total number between Willesden Junction and Stratford to eight trains per hour in the peak.

And there are four trains an hour every day on the Gospel Oak to Barking line which services the Manor Park and Forest Gate areas via Wanstead Park and Woodgrange Park stations.

The upgrade works programme was paid for by Transport for London (TfL), Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Stratford City Implementation Group,

And TfL has also bought a fleet of 57 brand new air-conditioned trains. Station refurbishments has delivered cleaner and safer and well-staffed stations with better access, new information, help points, lighting and CCTV.

The first major revamp of the line since 1869, the project saw intensive civil engineering and complex signalling work in more than half of London’s boroughs while more than 200 signals were upgraded or replaced more than seven kilometres of track and 69 sets of points renewed and platforms lengthened at 30 station.

Mayor Boris Johnson, said: “London Overground was rundown, neglected and an embarrassment to the capital. Three years later we have transformed it into one of the nation’s top performing railways, running double the number of trains and it has been named the most punctual service in the country. It will be immensely popular with 2012 Games goers but will be of benefit to Londoners for many years beyond.”

Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport for the ODA said spectators using London Overground will benefit from a service which will not only be more frequent, but also more spacious, comfortable and punctual.”

“In addition to improvements made on the East London Line, upgrades to the North London Line will also play a key role during the Games in bypassing central London to get spectators to the Olympic Park (at Stratford).

* National Express East Anglia’s (NXEA) summer timetable shows more trains are stopping at Stratford on some key commuter services and extra direct Saturday services between London Liverpool Street and Great Yarmouth.

There are additional stops at Stratford on some Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea and Harwich International services.

New timetable booklets are available at stations and further information can be obtained at: www.nationalexpresseastanglia.com or by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.