INFORMATION to help people plan for a safe and enjoyable night on New Year’s Eve is now available on the Greater London Authority website at www.london.gov.uk/newyearseve, including travel information and links to help you plan your journey wherever in the capital you are bringing in the New Year.

It also includes information for people planning to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display at the British Airways London Eye.

Organised by the Mayor of London in conjunction with Visit London, the award- winning display attracts very large crowds. For people wanting to see it at the river, or simply planning to be in central London on New Year’s Eve, the website includes safety tips and people are being advised to use public transport rather than drive. People watching it at the river should also remember to wrap up warm and to bear in mind that they may need to walk further to get to a tube station or bus stop.

There are three key things for people going out to remember – Plan your night out, use public transport, and follow safety advice.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: ‘London’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display is world famous and the capital one of the best places in the world to be during the festive season.

The success of the display is down to the many organisations, including police, transport and local authorities, that come together to provide a stunning backdrop to the capital’s celebrations. Hundreds of thousands of people will be in central London on New Year’s Eve and they should plan ahead to get the best out of the night’s festivities. Whatever you do, and wherever you are bringing in the New Year, have a safe and enjoyable night and my best wishes for 2008.’

With 2008 being the year the Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in Beijing, the year that Olympic flame is carried through the capital and the year of the handover to London as host city, the New Year’s Eve projections onto the Shell Building in the build up to the midnight countdown will be themed ‘An Olympic Year’ will feature striking photographic images inspired by the greatest sporting event in the world.

Thanks to BBC Radio 1, this year’s projection and lighting display will be accompanied by a pre-recorded soundtrack featuring exclusive mixes by DJs Rob da Bank and Gilles Peterson, which will be played as crowd gathers until the midnight countdown.

London’s display is produced by award-winning London based experiential marketing agency Jack Morton Worldwide and internationally renowned pyrotechnician Christophe Berthonneau. Last year’s display was recently named the ‘Public Event of the Year 2006’ at the Eventia UK Awards, which honour the best events across the country each year.

PLANNING FOR A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE NIGHT ?People going out on New Year’s Eve are being advised to plan ahead and to use public transport. At least 350,000 people are expected to be in central London to bring in New Year’s Eve.

As well as house parties taking place across the capital, many pubs, bars and clubs will remain open well into the early hours of New Year’s Day. Most bars and clubs in central London will be ticketed. Those wanting to view the fireworks at the river should be aware that it may be necessary to close the riverside viewing areas once they are full to avoid potential overcrowding.

People working, shopping or going to the theatre should also be aware that road closures will also be going in earlier this year and some roads in central London will be restricted from 6pm.

Public transport is strongly recommended rather than driving in by car.

Alternatively, the fireworks will be shown live and uninterrupted on BBC 1, in a special show from 11:15pm- 12:15am. The display will also be online at www.london.gov.uk/newyearseve.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT ?On New Year’s Eve services on London Underground, the Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink will run all night, in addition to normal 24-hour London Bus services.

Thanks to sponsorship from NatWest and the Mayor of London, travel will be free between 11.45pm on New Year’s Eve and 4.30am on New Year’s Day. The Mayor is also funding some overland rail services in areas where there are fewer Tube connections.

There will be some changes to normal services, so Londoners and visitors to the capital are being advised to ‘check before you travel’.

In addition to free TfL services, the Mayor is funding free travel on national rail services between midnight and 5am in a number of areas where there are fewer Tube connections.

SAFETY ADVICE ?New Year’s Eve is all about fun and celebration and we want you to have a great time.

Before you leave home please remember:
• Plan your journey (including how to get home) before you set out for the night and let people know where you are going;
• Pets are not permitted within viewing areas. Please do not bring them with you. Assistance dogs are welcome. 
• Young Children– Central London will again be a very busy place this New Year’s Eve with well over 350,000 people expected. As a result the event may be unsuitable for young children, and we strongly recommend that you do not bring buggies or pushchairs with you to the event.
•Meeting up with friends is easiest and safest before you set out. Remember large crowds make stations and other well known landmarks such as Nelson’s Column an unsuitable meeting place;
• Fireworks we have a fantastic display planned, therefore please do not bring your own fireworks to the event;