The planned lane closure at Redbridge roundabout, which residents claim will save athletes just seconds on their journey, will be in place for as “short a time as possible,” according to Transport for London.

Redbridge Roundabout Action Group (RedRag) believes closing the east exit between the hours of noon and midnight will save only “20 seconds of travel time for athletes”.

Garrett Emmerson, chief operating officer at TfL, said: “The Olympic Route Network (ORN) passes through Redbridge and there is only one physical temporary traffic measure to accommodate this.

“This measure – restricting the exit from Redbridge roundabout on to Redbridge Lane East – is to prevent vehicles queuing on to the roundabout and blocking the flow of traffic.”

He added: “It will be used when there are high volumes of traffic and events on at Lea Valley White Water Centre.

“We aim for it to be in place for as short a time as possible. It will be removed shortly after the Olympic Games and will not be required for the Paralympic Games.”

But RedRag member Alan Haymes said: “The events at the Lea Valley Centre are scheduled for five days only, therefore there should be no reason to close the exit on any other day.”

The group suggests that closing the junction would have no beneficial effect because athletes will travel south in the outside lane and turn right along the A12 back to Stratford.

Mr Haymes added: “Their proposals will see traffic backing up from Eastern Avenue on to the roundabout which will increase, not reduce, congestion and we believe that this will impede the athletes’ journey rather than speed it up.”

The ORN and Paralympic Route Network covers 109 miles of London’s 10,000 miles road network.