A transport plan for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow has been unveiled, which organisers say will leave a "lasting and permanent legacy" for the city.

The plan details a core route network of dedicated road lanes to be used for transporting the 4500 athletes between their accommodation in the athletes’ village, training facilities and competition venues.

The athletes will be transported using minibuses and coaches which will be given priority over other traffic using the routes in a similar way to buses in bus lanes. The 20km of new routes will be turned into bus lanes after the Games.

With tens of thousands of spectators expected to flood into the city for the event, organisers said they were committed to developing a service that is efficient, frequent and promotes sustainable modes of transport.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive John Scott said: "Ensuring that Glasgow, as the host city, gets star athletes like Chris Hoy and Usain Bolt where they need to be at the right time in order to train and compete is of paramount importance.

"We aim to get athletes to all of the Glasgow venues within 20 minutes of the athletes' village, so they spend their time competing and not commuting.

"Games route networks have proved time and again at both Olympic and Commonwealth Games that they are essential to ensuring athletes will reach their destination on time.

"Not only will we be fulfilling a critical role to deliver an outstanding Games, but we are using the investment to deliver a lasting and permanent legacy for the people of Glasgow."

Organisers said that other permanent improvements left after the games would include new bus shelters, improved information and signage along the routes and better public safety through additional CCTV.

Councillor Archie Graham, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council and executive member for the Commonwealth Games, said: "Transport will obviously be a key component of delivering a successful Commonwealth Games and this plan is an important first step on that journey.

"The Games gives Glasgow some great opportunities to develop and expand the projects we are already delivering to promote public transport use, reduce our reliance on the private car and improve air quality."

The transport plan is open for public consultation until March 25 next year and can be downloaded from the Glasgow 2014 web site, or viewed in printed form at libraries and other council premises across Glasgow.

It is the first of three versions of the transport plan. Each plan will evolve from the previous one and the final version will be published the year before the Games.