Updated

Some British civil servants will be allowed to work from home this summer — a trial run to see if that could reduce the strain on London's transport network during the 2012 Summer Olympics.

The Department of Transport says Monday it will try to cut its employees' journeys in and out of London by half during the trial in August. It is asking its staff to consider holding meetings by teleconference, to work on a shift system or to cycle to work if they must be in the office.

Transport for London, which runs the capital's bus and subway networks, is also looking into giving office staff more work flexibility during the Games.

It is asking businesses across London to plan ahead, introduce flexible working hours and arrange for deliveries at non-peak times.