| In 1948 London played host to the first post-World War 2 Olympics; in an era of rationing and austerity, the miracle was not only that the Games took place but that they were remarkably successful and attracted many visitors to London. The opening ceremony was held at Wembley stadium and a number of venues in and around London, including the White City Stadium built for the 1908 games, were used.
The Olympics brought large numbers of athletes and visitors to a city that was still bearing the scars of the war and where infrastructure remained fractured. In order to provide public transport for both the London-based events and those held outside the Metropolis, London Transport and other operators had to introduce new routes and amend others, trying to cope with the unexpected demand at a time when postwar reconstruction was still in progress; unlike 2012 where London has had six years’ notice of its hosting of the games, in 1948 it was a matter of months.
Amongst enthusiasts, the summer of 1948 allowed the opportunity for recording these services. This book, based around some fascinating historical photographs including many by the late V. C. Jones during the period, records the transport scene during the summer of 1948 when the world came to Britain. It will appeal to all those interested in the changing face of Britain when most people relied on public transport as well as transport enthusiasts and historians.
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