Rail expansion does not have much room to work with if to be completed before Paris 2024 ©Getty Images

Pierre Moscovici, first President of the Court of Auditors, has stressed the extension of the line 14 railway cannot afford to be delayed any more if it is to be delivered in time for the2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Speaking to the French Parliament, Moscovici encouraged the transport stakeholders to have "social dialogue" with the public and called for the operational phase of Games preparations to begin as soon as possible.

It requested a transport and flow projection plan to be delivered by the end of June.

He added this was crucial to create a solid understanding of what security measures were needed and where.

Last year's UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris between Liverpool and Real Madrid was marred by security problems that left fans of the English club at the hands of poor officiating, which led to unrest between supporters and the police.

The report highlights that operations were affected by transport strikes on that day.

It has become an additional concern with the stabbing of six people today at Gare du Nord train station, with the attacker being shot and wounded by police.

"Without the extremely rapid intervention, there would surely be deaths," said Gérald Darmanin, detailing how the suspect was neutralised within one minute of attacking his first victim.

First President of the Court of Auditors Pierre Moscovici has called for a Paris 2024 transport and flow projection plan to be delivered by the end of June ©Getty Images
First President of the Court of Auditors Pierre Moscovici has called for a Paris 2024 transport and flow projection plan to be delivered by the end of June ©Getty Images

Recruitment of drivers and harmony with the unions should be amongst the organisers' priorities because there are "real risks [of delay] on infrastructure projects", which must be completed by May 2024 to allow a month of testing prior to the Games.

Moscovici claimed that projects still looked in good shape, but the amount of room to work with had shortened, making it vital for work to stay on track.

"At the date of the report, the production schedules remained compatible with the deadline for the Games," read the report.

"However, in the absence of real leeway in the calendar and [other solutions], the conduct of these operations requires increased vigilance, and even new decisions to ensure delivery on time.

"It is important that there is a message of collective responsibility."

Line 14 is to be extended further north to Saint-Denis Pleyel and to the south to Orly Airport. 

The northern part of the line links to Saint-Denis, the main hub for the Paris 2024 Games where the Stade de France, Aquatics Centre and the Athletes' Village are situated.

Lines 15 through 17 will not be ready in time for the Games, which would have seen improvements in accessibility between Gare du Nord and the Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Nice and Toulouse lines had planned upgrades for the Games too.

Saint-Denis is the main hub for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Getty Images
Saint-Denis is the main hub for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

Plans for cycle accessibility between all venues for the Games have been cancelled due to this "being no longer conceivable, it is important to quickly stabilise the map of Olympic cycle lanes likely to be completed on time and to ensure their completion," the report revealed.

This means all paths that can be finished in time will be done, while those that cannot feasibly be completed before the Olympics ad Paralympics are to be paused.

However, the RER E is the line of most concern, "which must ensure an improvement in the service to the Arena de Paris La Défense" from Porte Maillot.

It must be said, the International Olympic Committee and the press centre will be located there, which may make this project a priority anyway.

Moscovici added there were still problems with transport partner Toyota, with negotiations on vehicles and the recruitment of thousands of drivers still not completed.

The Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 2024, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.