COUNCIL chiefs have been accused of failing to respond to proposals affecting thousands of road users in their borough.

A 14-week Department for Transport consultation on its plans for an Olympic road network, which could use 44 roads in Greenwich, ended on March 19.

But Greenwich councillors did not even meet to discuss their response until five days after the deadline had passed.

The council has hit back at the accusations, saying it did manage to get its response in on time and had held it back until the last minute to “reflect the most up to date situation”.

Routes in the network will be kept free of roadworks and Olympics organisers can impose traffic regulations including designated ‘Games Lanes’.

Some campaigners have warned the proposals, which could close some road lanes so they can be used by Olympic VIPS, will lead to gridlock in the borough.

Leader of Greenwich Conservatives Councillor Spencer Drury said: “This will have a massive impact on the lives of people around the borough.

“For me this is genuinely disgraceful. They’ve had three months to do this and five days after the deadline they’re running around trying to get a response together.”

Just last year Greenwich Council was heavily criticised after replying two months late to a consultation on the A Picture of Health hospital shake-up plans.

Cllr Drury said: “They’re developing something of a record here in failing to respond to consultations that seriously affect the people of Greenwich.”

Parts of the A2 will form the road network, including Shooters Hill Road and Blackheath Hill.

Roads around Greenwich Park, where the equestrian events are to be held, will form part of the core network and be heavily used by Olympic traffic.

Michael Goldman of campaign group No to Greenwich Olympic Equestrian Events said: “I find it extraordinary but not altogether surprising because Greenwich Council are in denial about the problems that the Olympics in Greenwich will cause in 2012.

“Even if you are totally in favour of the events taking place you can’t ignore the tremendous traffic problems that will be caused.”

The Department for Transport says the network will leave improved traffic signals, a new traffic control centre, and new CCTV and junction upgrades.

A spokesman for Greenwich Council said: “The council appreciates that many details of the Olympic plans are still to be finalised.

“The council submitted a response in time to meet the Olympic Development Authority’s consultation deadline, and a report detailing the council’s response was presented to the cabinet on March 24.

“We have also made clear in our response that we wish to see more meaningful consultation taking place with the council, its residents and local traders and amenity groups.“ A spokesman for the department said that no late submissions to its consultation, which was two weeks longer than normal, would be accepted.

Next year the Olympic Delivery Authority will consult about specific measures for each road.