Wednesday, November 12, 2008 12:58 PM

New Designs for Handball Arena

Designs were unveiled today for a 'simple, efficient and flexible' London 2012 Handball Arena that will become a new multi-sports facility in legacy.

The new designs were included in the planning application for the venue which was submitted today.

The Handball Arena will be in the west of the Olympic Park, to the south of the Hockey Centre, within four minutes of the Olympic Village. It will have up to 7,000 seats during the Games, hosting the Handball preliminaries and quarter finals as well as the Modern Pentathlon disciplines of Fencing and Shooting. It will also be the Goalball venue during the Paralympic Games.

In legacy mode after the Games, the Arena will become a multi-sports venue with retractable seating for 6,000 spectators and flexible facilities to hold a range of training and competition events of all levels. It will cater for a wide-range of indoor sports including basketball, handball, badminton, netball and volleyball, boosting the sporting facilities provided across the Olympic Park.

The Handball Arena, designed by Make Architects with PTW and Arup, features external copper cladding to give it a distinctive appearance that will develop a rich natural colour as it ages. The concourse level features glazing which encircles the building, enabling visitors to the Olympic Park to view sport taking place inside, and illuminating the venue when lit at night. The venue also has a vibrant and multi-coloured interior, with retractable seating to create a flexible space and with 100 light pipes in the ceiling to allow natural light into the venue.

ODA Chairman John Armitt visited the Planning Decisions Team offices in Stratford this week to submit a planning application for the Handball Arena, which follows consultation with local residents.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'This is a simple, sustainable and flexible design that works well for the Games and legacy. The colourful interior will help boost the Games time experience for athletes and spectators, and in legacy will become a modern, practical and attractive facility for local people of all abilities to enjoy a range of sports. The copper-cladding sets the venue in the surrounding parklands and will look even more striking as it changes over time.'

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'This is another example of the Games acting as a catalyst for a state-of-the-art sporting facility which will be a high-quality venue at Games-time, whilst also providing a legacy for sport in London and the UK. The fact that Handball will have its own arena at Games-time will be a great boost to the sport in this country and it will be a multi-purpose arena after the Games.'

Jules Pipe, elected Mayor of Hackney, said: 'The new multi-sports venue is a major opportunity to develop a world class facility for Hackney residents which is accessible and suitable for a range of community sports as part of the legacy of the 2012 Games. Hackney already has high quality, award-winning sports facilities, and the Council is continuing to invest in these to offer all our residents access to healthier lifestyles through sport and physical activity. When London's Olympic and Paralympic Games have gone, the multi-sports Arena will remain as a venue for local people and visitors.'

Design features in the Handball Arena plans include:
  • Over 3,000 square metres of external copper cladding, mostly recycled, that changes colour and character as it ages
  • Over 700 square metres of glazing which encircles the building at concourse level opening up the venue to the Olympic Park and enabling visitors to watch sporting action
  • Striking multicoloured seating that retracts to enable flexible use of the field of play
  • 100 light pipes in the ceiling that draw sunlight into the venue, reducing the demand for electric lights
  • Rainwater harvesting from the roof for toilet flushing, helping to reduce water use by 40 per cent 
  • Range of materials selected for long-term durability and performance
  • In legacy mode the venue will include a health and fitness club with changing facilities and a café for use by the local community
  • In legacy mode, the venue offers a 2,743 square metre field of play hosting sports including: 5-a-side football; Netball; Basketball; Volleyball; Badminton; Table Tennis; Handball; and Futsal
  • The venue could also host in legacy: Hockey; Martial arts; Kabaddi; Dodgeball; Wheelchair Basketball; Fencing; Sitting Volleyball; Goalball; Wheelchair Rugby
Ricky Burdett, ODA Principal Design Advisor, said: 'The Handball Arena occupies an important urban lynchpin, acting as a bridge between the Olympic Park and the existing urban neighbourhoods to the west in Hackney and Tower Hamlets. The design is a bold and refined architectural statement: a rectilinear volume raised on a platform that addresses the street and a large podium overlooking the park. At night the internal activities will be visible through the horizontal glazed slot that defines the edge of the building.'
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Wednesday, October 22, 2008 9:54 AM

Vehicle Monitoring Contract Awarded

The Delivery Management System Vehicle Tracking Module will be crucial in improving security for deliveries and reducing congestion in and around Stratford, Hackney and Leyton by tracking and regulating vehicles travelling to and within the Olympic Park. The new system will also collate information, and allow the ODA to forecast future demand.

ODA Director of Construction Howard Shiplee said: 'Reducing the impact upon the environment is very important to the ODA. We have a target of delivering 50 per cent of materials [by weight] to the Olympic Park by rail or water. However, where this is not possible, we are getting systems in place to reduce the impact of having vehicles on the roads.

'This new contract with Logica will provide us with the ability to manage road deliveries using Intelligent Transport Systems, and collate that information to forecast demand. This means that lorries should not be blocking the way for other road users because we are reducing the likelihood of waiting to get into the Olympic Park, and a smooth journey will mean less exhaust fumes.'

Garrick Fraser, Managing Director of Commercial, Transport and Financial Services from Logica UK said: 'The Olympic Delivery Authority project is essential to maintaining transport flow, enhancing accessibility by helping to reduce peak hour congestion and minimising disruption for local residents during the construction of the London 2012 Olympic Park.

'This reinforces our reputation as a leading provider of integrated transport solutions in the UK and our ability to deliver innovative solutions to meet customer needs. We are delighted to work in partnership with the Olympic Delivery Authority.'

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Tuesday, October 21, 2008 9:21 AM

Chocolate Giant supports London 2012

Cadbury, britain's leading confectionary company, has become the latest Tier Two Supporter of the London 2012 Games.

As Official Confectionery and Ice Cream Supporter, Cadbury will have rights to use the London 2012 marks on products, as well as marketing rights to Team GB and ParalympicsGB. At Games-time, Cadbury will supply all confectionery and packaged ice cream sold at venues and within the Olympic Park.

Based in Bournville, Cadbury has strong experience supporting major sporting events. The company was an official supplier of the Sydney Games in 2000, as well as the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002 and Melbourne 2006.

They are the second Tier London Two Supporter, following the appointment of Deloitte as Professional Services Supporter last year.

London 2012 Chief Executive Paul Deighton said: 'Following the success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB this summer, we all came back from Beijing with a spring in our step and this has been replicated in the commercial sector - there has been a surge of interest in London 2012 and I’m thrilled that Cadbury - another great and trusted British brand - has come on board.

'They have a great track record supporting both major sporting events and community initiatives and we welcome them to the London 2012 family. This is another fantastic achievement for the commercial programme and with this deal we have now raised over £430m, which is well on our way to our domestic sponsorship target as part of the £2bn required to stage the Games in 2012.'

Todd Stitzer, CEO Cadbury plc, said: 'For nearly 200 years, Cadbury has been part of the fabric of British life so we are extremely proud to be a supporter of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Since John Cadbury opened a chocolate shop in Birmingham in 1824, we have strived to be a company that is both performance driven and values led – a philosophy that is at one with the long held ethos of the Games: inspiration, optimism and community.'
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Thursday, October 16, 2008 9:23 AM

Olympic and Paralympic heroes to parade in London

The procession of Olympic and Paralympic Beijing heroes will parade through London today (16th October 2008) at 11am leaving from Mansion House and Heading for Trafalgar Square. The procession of 12 flat-bed trucks will be headed by triple gold medallist Chris Hoy.

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Friday, October 10, 2008 1:47 PM

Olympic Village Designs Released

The latest legacy designs for the Olympic Village were released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and Lend Lease today, together with new images showing the good progress being made on construction work on site.

Work began in June on the permanent foundations for the first blocks of the Olympic Village. More than 300 construction workers are now on site carrying out piling works - inserting concrete columns into the soil to reinforce the ground where the first blocks of the Olympic Village will sit. Piling works have been completed on the first block of the Olympic Village, with work underway on further blocks.

A selection of leading architects are now in place for all residential plots in the Olympic Village. The latest designs published today show the residential schemes as well as the courtyard areas, pedestrian walkways and new open spaces that will be created in the Olympic Village. Planning permission has recently been secured for the first three residential schemes, with favourable comments received about the high level of architectural quality.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:

'These new images show the good progress being made in design and construction work on the Olympic Village to help maintain the momentum of this huge project.

'The Olympic Village will be one of the strongest legacies from the Games, delivering quality new homes for Londoners, many of which will be affordable, together with new parks, public squares and community facilities. This will be a world-class development and the involvement of some of Europe’s most talented architects and landscape designers will ensure design excellence continues to play an essential role in the delivery of this project.

'Discussions on the funding of the Village are continuing and though the economic environment is challenging we expect to conclude these around the turn of the year.'

Lend Lease Europe Chief Executive Dan Labbad said:

'These new images demonstrate the progressive and diverse architecture and design integrity that we have been striving for in developing the Village, both as a home for athletes in 2012 and as an iconic sustainable community beyond. The importance of this project is also reflected in the rapid and exciting progress onsite.'

Lend Lease’s contractors have also now completed work to lift into place the first new bridge in the Olympic Village site, marking the first stage in helping to create an open and accessible area in Games-time and legacy. The 44 metre long bridge was lifted in using a 1,000 tonne crane and is the first of three new bridges to be built in total. The bridges will each span the High Meads Loop railway line to connect the new Olympic Village development with the existing housing and communities adjacent to Village site. The bridges will also carry vital services and utilities to the Olympic Village development.

The Olympic Village will accommodate athletes during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. After 2012, it will leave the legacy of new homes, many of which will be affordable, together with new parks, public squares and open space; an Academy education campus for all ages; multi-use community facilities; and new infrastructure to connect the new communities with the Olympic Park, one of the largest new urban parks in Europe for 150 years.
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Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:03 PM

Local people picking up Olympic Jobs

The ODA published new figures showing that local and previously unemployed people are continuing to access jobs on the Olympic Park as construction work advances on the foundations of London 2012 venues.

Activity is increasing steadily on the Olympic Park and in July the ODA set out the ‘big build: foundations’ milestones it aims to reach by next summer. These include completing the Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre foundations.

The latest figures show that of the 2,701 strong workforce currently delivering the progress on the Olympic Park:

  • Nearly a quarter are local residents (24 per cent)
  • Over half are from London (58 per cent)
  • Just under one in ten (9 per cent) was previously unemployed before finding work helping deliver the Games and a fifth (20 per cent) of these workers live locally
ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'We are on track to complete the ‘big build: foundations’ by next summer and are also making encouraging progress to deliver a real employment and skills legacy for east London. We are working closely with our contractors and partner organisations to help ensure that alongside a physical legacy of world class sporting venues, new infrastructure and a new park the Games can also help local people build new career paths long into the future.'

Up to 9,000 construction workers will be needed at the peak of construction on the Olympic Park in 2009/2010. The ODA has published the ‘London 2012 jobs, skills, futures’ strategy which sets out how it is working with a range of public and private sector partners to help Olympic Park contractors recruit workers whilst at the same time helping people develop sustainable skills and a long term career path after the Games.

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: 'One of the most important legacies for the five Host Boroughs will be new jobs and local people with the skills to take these jobs.

'These figures are further proof of how staging the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 is proving to be a catalyst, transforming lives for the better in one of the most deprived parts of the country, let alone just our capital city. This demonstrates that, once again, we are doing what we promised - delivering on our commitments to local people and to providing a lasting legacy in east London.'

Geoff Newton, Director of Olympic Opportunities at the London Development Agency, said: The 2012 Games are already leaving a lasting skills and employment legacy. We want to give Londoners the best opportunity to benefit from Olympic jobs and together with our partners we have already provided 3,000 training places across London.

'Over the next three and a half years the LDA is supporting plans for three construction training centres in east London, offering specialist training in trades such as scaffolding and dry lining, many of which have been identified as of need by Olympic Park contractors. It is by working with our partners in the ODA and across London that we will ensure that training programmes meet future skill demands of the industry, whether for the Olympics or for other projects such as Crossrail.'

The ODA ‘jobs, skills, futures’ strategy includes:

A new jobs brokerage service, in partnership with Jobcentre Plus and the five Host Boroughs, that matches candidates living locally and elsewhere in the UK with Olympic Park job opportunities. Over 200 people have been placed into jobs through the brokerage since May 2008.

A National Skills Academy for Construction, funded by ConstructionSkills, the Learning and Skills Council and the London Development Agency. This coordinates training across a range of providers for people to get the skills needed to win work on the Olympic Park and continue their career development once in work.

As part of this Academy a Plant Training Centre on the Olympic Park site providing local people with practical training tailored to the needs of contractors. Just under 250 people have graduated from the Plant Training Centre since its launch in February 2008.

A target of 2,000 trainees, Apprenticeships and work placements working on the Olympic Park and other London 2012 venues, including a programme aimed at specifically at placing women into construction jobs. There are currently just under 200 Apprentices and trainees working on the Olympic Park.
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Wednesday, October 08, 2008 9:20 AM

Vancouver Winter Olympics 2010 Tickets On Sale Now

Tickets for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games have gone on sale in Host Country Canada and around the world.

The Olympic Games take place in Vancouver and Whistler from 12-28 February 2010. Tickets are on sale for the 16 Olympic sports, including Figure Skating, Cross-Country Skiing and Snowboard. They are available through National Olympic Committees and official ticket agents in each country.

John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Visiting Canada and attending the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games promises to be the experience of a lifetime that people will remember for generations.

'Canadians can’t wait to welcome the world with glowing hearts and invite everyone to join us in what is sure to be a spectacular celebration of culture, winter sport and incredible athletic achievement.'

The Paralympic Winter Games take place from 12 – 21 March 2010. Tickets go on sale in May 2009.
 
From the vibrant Host City of Vancouver, to the venue cities of Richmond, and to the natural beauty of Whistler Host Mountain Resort, the Vancouver 2010 venues will stage extraordinary Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. And from athlete housing to media centres, there are many sites critical to the Games that are equally integral to the Games but will never host a sporting event.
 
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Monday, October 06, 2008 9:38 AM

Parkcams give best view

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has launched six new “ParkCams” – cameras that give the public a front row seat of the work on the Olympic Park as the venues and infrastructure needed for the 2012 Games and legacy take shape.

The cameras will show updated still images throughout the day and will be accessible via the London 2012 website -  Parkcams 

The new ParkCams are situated in and around the Olympic Park and provide views of:

  • The Olympic Park looking from south to north;
  • The Aquatics Centre site, where construction began two months ahead of schedule in July;
  • The Energy Centre with the retained Kings Yard building in the background, where construction started on schedule in August. It is being built to provide the extra energy required for Games and in legacy;
  • Olympic Stadium close-up of the south stand, where construction began three months ahead of schedule in May. The structure of the west stand of the venue is now clearly visible;
  • Olympic Stadium wide angle with Stratford City in the background; and
  • The Olympic Village, where construction started in the summer.
ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'The Olympic Park changes every day due to the scale of regeneration taking place across the site. These new ParkCams will give the public a front-row seat, making sure they don’t miss any developments as the work to build the venues and infrastructure needed for the Games and legacy accelerates.

'We hope to expand the number and type of camera on the Park as construction begins on other venues.'
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Sunday, October 05, 2008 11:36 AM

Strong progress on London 2012 infrastructure

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chief Executive David Higgins today said that the progress being made to build new infrastructure and utilities in the Olympic Park is creating the backbone for the long-term regeneration of east London.

Speaking at ‘The Games Briefing’ event in London this morning, a gathering of representatives in the construction sector, David Higgins said: 'While the flagship new sports venues we are building understandably get the most attention, the huge amount of work currently going on to construct new infrastructure and utilities in the Olympic Park is every bit as essential in ensuring we deliver a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games.

'We are making strong progress in creating the building blocks for a world-class new urban Park. We are building 20km of new roads and more than 30 new bridges to connect the Olympic Park during the Games and create new links between communities in legacy.

'Work is also underway on a state-of-the-art Energy Centre which, using sustainable technology, will provide power for the Games and support new and existing communities for generations to come. The wider utilities network we are building, including an electrical substation and sewage infrastructure, completes the ‘wiring’ of the park and will leave a backbone of facilities essential for a lasting legacy.'

The infrastructure and utilities work being delivered by the ODA includes:
  • More than 30 new bridges and 20km of new roads;
  • New water, gas, electrical and telecoms networks;
  • A wind turbine in the north of the Olympic Park to play a key role in delivering renewable energy to the site;
  • A new electrical substation and electrical distribution network to supply electricity to the Olympic Park;
  • An Energy Centre and community energy networks to provide efficient power, heating and cooling systems across the site; and
  • A new pumping station and sewer network to collect, convey and discharge foul waste from venues and buildings in the Olympic Park.
Construction work on utilities and infrastructure in the Olympic Park is well underway - the outer structure of the electrical substation is taking shape; piling works have started on the foundations of the Energy Centre; tunnelling work has started on the new sewer networks and on the foundations of the pumping station; and the abutments in place for the first permanent new bridges to be built in the Olympic Park.
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Saturday, October 04, 2008 1:22 PM

Cycle Safety Initiative in London

ODA launches new cycle safety initiative in London

ODA Chairman John Armitt and cycle safety campaigner Cynthia Barlow will be helping distribute Fresnel lenses to lorry drivers, which are a simple and effective measure that can be used to increase safety for cyclists.

By putting a Fresnel lens on the passenger window, lorry drivers can see cyclists and vehicles on the passenger side of the lorry, where before they would have had a “blind spot”. The ODA will distribute 1,600 Fresnel lenses in the first stage of the campaign.


The ODA has also established a forum with VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) Metropolitan Police and the construction industry to examine a range of initiatives to ensure the safe operation of vehicles on the road network leading to the Olympic Park.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Fresnel lenses are an effective way of increasing the view of the road, and may help reduce the numbers of injuries and deaths of cyclists in London.

'We are committed to working in partnership with our contractors to ensure the highest standards of health and safety on the Olympic Park. In addition to this campaign, we are also aiming to transport 50 per cent of the construction materials needed on site by rail and water, which means that we will be taking thousands of unnecessary lorry journeys off London’s roads.'

Cynthia Barlow, campaigner for RoadPeace, said: 'Every year about 20 cyclists are killed on London’s roads and often it is the construction industry vehicles – concrete mixers, tipper lorries and skip lorries – making left turns that are involved.

'It is vitally important that the owners and drivers of these vehicles take action to deal with the potential danger of their vehicles to vulnerable road users by ensuring they have a good view all around their vehicle, firstly with fresnel lenses, and other possible measures such as proximity sensors, mirrors, and cameras.'

Peter McBride, Head of Cycling, Walking and Accessibility at Transport for London (TfL) said: 'Although the number of cyclists killed on London’s roads has fallen in recent years, the fact remains that more than half of all cycle deaths in the Capital involve a goods vehicle. By working directly with haulage companies to address this serious road safety issue, the ODA and TfL are taking practical steps, such as the distribution of Fresnel lenses, to help make cyclists safer and more visible on the Capital’s roads.'

Charlie Lloyd from London Cycling Campaign said: 'Large lorries are a major threat to the safety of cyclists in London and it is essential that everything possible is done to make lorry drivers aware of the risks their vehicles pose to pedestrians and cyclists.

'We welcome the action of the ODA to provide some Fresnel lenses to lorry drivers. Not only will the lenses make it easier to see cyclists near the lorry but they will also have a constant reminder to take extra care when driving in urban areas.'

John Fitch, Research and Development Manager said: 'From the research carried out by VOSA, the use of the Fresnel Lens has proved to help reduce the driver’s blind spots in HGVs and in doing so reduce incidents.

'VOSA and the Highways Agency are issuing lenses throughout England in a campaign to reduce blind spot incidents and congestion. It is important that large construction projects like London 2012 are leading the way in the industry with this campaign.'

The ODA have also installed cycle improvement measures around the primary access junction on the A12 in consultation with TfL and the London Borough of Hackney, with more improvements being installed next month.

 

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Friday, October 03, 2008 9:26 AM

Canoe and Kayak venue approved for London 2012

The White water Canoe Centre has been given planning permission from Broxbourne Borough Council

The plans will now be referred to the Government Office for the East of England to grant planning permission.

The White Water Canoe Centre will be built by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire to host the Canoe / Kayak slalom events during the Olympic Games in 2012. After the Games, the venue will be developed to become a sporting and leisure facility for canoeing and white-water rafting, as well as a major competition venue for elite events. The Centre will be owned and managed by Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, and will sit alongside the existing centres of sporting excellence in the Lee Valley Regional Park.

A planning application for the White Water Canoe Centre was submitted in the summer following public consultation with local residents on the venue plans. Broxbourne Borough Council last night granted planning approval allowing the plans to go to the Government Office for the East of England to grant planning permission. The venue plans include:

  • An international standard Canoe / Kayak Slalom Course – an Games standard 300m course, with a warm-up course and finish lake. A new artificial water body will be constructed and the white-water will be created through a system of pumps
  • New parklands - the canoe course will be located within a wider parkland setting. The landscaping works will include path and bridge networks throughout the venue to facilitate spectator access and viewing
  • A new facility building – containing a reception, café, changing rooms, shop, offices, spectator viewing facilities, equipment storage and water pump/filtration facilities

David Higgins, ODA Chief Executive said: 'Securing planning approval is a significant milestone and keeps us firmly on-track to deliver the new world-class facilities at Broxbourne in good time for the Games. Our plans for Broxbourne are a key part of spreading the benefits of the Games around the country and will help us create a major leisure attraction for Broxbourne and the East of England region for many years to come.'

London 2012 Organising Committee Chairman Sebastian Coe said: 'Broxbourne will provide a world class venue for Games time and an excellent facility for elite athlete and community usage after the Games, living up to our promise of leaving a lasting legacy for sport. Securing planning approval is an important step forwards and we look forward to seeing this exciting venue taking shape.'

Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority said: 'The WWCC will be a world class sports venue providing the best training and competition facilities for elite athletes plus a fun and exciting recreational centre for the whole community. The centre will form part of a ‘zone of sporting excellence’ in the Lee Valley stretching from Herts to the Thames. The Authority looks forward to receiving the WWCC in 2010/11 and providing some pre-Games public use before delivering a vibrant and sustainable legacy venue for the long term.'

Richard Ellis, East of England Development Agency (EEDA) chair, said: 'The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) has worked closely with the Olympic Delivery Authority, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and Sport England East to ensure that the plans for this site go beyond the requirements of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. EEDA’s aim is to secure a lasting legacy from the Broxbourne site, the benefits of which will be a major boost for local communities and businesses in the region for years to come.'

Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: 'Broxbourne will give people the chance to experience the excitement of canoeing and white-water rafting and develop their skills in a world class setting. The White Water Canoe Centre is one of several important Sport England investments that will help secure a lasting sporting legacy for the community.'

Paul Owen, British Canoe Union (BCU) Chief Executive, said: 'The new course will help to grow the already very popular sport of canoe and kayaking by providing a first class venue for world class athletes, the Games themselves as well as the 2012 legacy. It will also promote Broxbourne and the Hertfordshire region as a world-class host venue and destination.'

The Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre will be built on what is currently the overflow car park for the Showground site of the River Lee Country Park, between Waltham Cross and Theobalds Grove stations.

The contract for construction companies to build the new venue and facilities is currently out to tender and is expected to be awarded in early 2009, with works starting in Spring 2009.

The venue is due to be completed for Games training and testing in 2010-11. During the Games, temporary seating will be installed around the venue for 12,000 spectators. After the Games, the spectator seating will be removed, and the venue will be developed into the Broxbourne White Water Canoe Centre, creating a major leisure attraction for canoeing and white water rafting as well as a venue for future international competition.

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Wednesday, October 01, 2008 8:57 AM

Pedestrian bridge to be built on old Railway land

A railway depot at the heart of the Olympic Park has been completely cleared to make way for the construction of a new pedestrian land-bridge between the Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Stadium.

The huge bridge will be the biggest in the Olympic Park and will be the main gateway for spectators getting to events in 2012.

Thornton’s Field, a railway depot, also needed to be dismantled to allow access for construction vehicles to get to the stadium island while the Olympic Stadium is being built.

The ODA released new photos and film of Thornton’s Field showing the site before dismantling began, and afterwards. Both photos show the strategic importance of clearing the site with the Stadium in the background. Before dismantling could begin at Thornton’s Field, an entirely new railway depot to house trains needed to be built. Orient Way sidings was completed on time and on budget and officially opened in July. The time lapse videos are of the last trains leaving Thornton’s Field and the construction of Orient Way, including the arrival of the first trains.

Transport Minister Tom Harris said: 'We want to deliver a world class transport system for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in four years time. It is very encouraging that the first piece of the infrastructure has been brought in ahead of time and on budget. This is the beginning of a programme of work that will leave a long-term economic and transport legacy for London and the Thames Gateway.'

ODA Director of Transport, Hugh Sumner, said: 'Thornton’s Field has been replaced by an excellent new depot at Orient Way for trains leaving London after the morning rush hour. Orient Way was completed five weeks early and on budget, which allowed the dismantling of Thornton’s Field to begin early.

'Train drivers and other staff have now also got a new accommodation block at Orient Way which means they have now completely moved in, and staff can begin to enjoy their new surroundings.'

This project was completed using sustainable methods with ninety-nine per cent of the demolition and site clearance waste from the Orient Way project being recycled, including:
  • 4,000 tonne of crushed concrete, of which 1,000 tonnes was reused on site, 3,000 tonnes was reused off site;
  • 620 tonnes of tarmac;
  • 180 tonnes of steel;
  • 20,000 tonnes of previous site ballast was screened and reused;
  • Track was 100 per cent reused.
    In addition, 3,250 yards of track was lifted and reused. 
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:42 PM

Olympic Park most accessible

The ODA has published its Inclusive Design Strategy which sets out the framework for how the Olympic Park will be designed and constructed to be inclusive for people of all cultures, faiths and ages, and accessible to disabled people.

Inclusive design principles have been embedded into the ODA’s procurement, design and construction processes. Practical examples of how the Park will become the most accessible and inclusive in London include:

  • wider pathways with smooth surfaces and seating and resting places at regular intervals
  • setting a new UK benchmark for wheelchair spaces and amenity seating
  • gentle gradients giving all users greater freedom of movement
  • clear and easily understood signage
  • excellent provision of baby changing facilities and buggy stores
  • a range of accessible toilet facilities
  • washing facilities to accompany faith rooms


The same exemplary accessibility standards will be applied across the three modes - Olympic Games, Paralympic Games and through into legacy – to ensure that everyone finds the Park welcoming and easy to use.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'When the eyes of the world turn to London in 2012, we want everyone to feel part of this unique opportunity to showcase the UK.

'The Olympic Park will be at the heart of the celebrations and people of all cultures, faiths and ages and disabled people will find London 2012's Olympic Park welcoming and easy to use.

'Inclusive and accessible design principles have been at the heart of our planning from the start. A site-wide approach across all buildings, open spaces, parklands, infrastructure and public transport means that we will be able to go further than any previous Olympic and Paralympic Games.

'After the Games, the most accessible and inclusive public park and sporting venues in London will be left for the local communities to use for generations after.'

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'On my recent visits to Beijing, I saw first hand what worked well and the lessons we can learn for London 2012. It is clear that accessibility must continue to be at the core of our work both for the Games and so that future generations of disabled athletes and spectators can enjoy sport in accessible facilities in the Olympic Park.

'I welcome the ODA's commitment to inclusive design and whilst I'm determined to provide taxpayer value from the 2012 budget, that commitment will not be compromised and remains a top priority for me as we prepare London to host the 2012 Games.'

Vice Chairman of LOCOG’s Sports Advisory Group and one of the UK's leading Paralympic champions, Dame Tanni Grey-Thomson said: 'Having been a competitor, spectator and commentator at several Olympic and Paralympic Games, I know how important it is that the Park and venues are accessible and easy to use.

'London 2012 is aiming to go further than any previous Host City to ensure that both the Olympic and Paralympic Games are accessible for everyone. After the Games, world-class sporting venues and the largest and most inclusive park in London will be left to help inspire a new generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes.'

The ODA has consulted with diverse groups within the local community and the strategy has been influenced by the experiences of multi-faith groups, parents, disabled people and Paralympians.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008 12:39 PM

Parkland Contractor Appointed

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today announced the appointment of a contractor to manage the delivery of the northern section of parklands in the London 2012 Olympic Park, which will be one of the largest new urban parks of its kind in Europe for 150 years.

Following a competitive procurement Edmund Nuttall has been appointed landscape and public realm contractor for the north of the Park on track to start work on site in spring 2009. The contractor will procure and manage a number of specialist subcontractors and suppliers through a series of packages, the first of which will be for the trees and plants required for the whole Park, which will be issued later this year.

LDA Design • Hargreaves Associates has been appointed by the ODA to design the Olympic Park parklands for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Public consultation on the latest plans is currently underway ahead of a planning application being submitted next month.

ODA Head of Parklands and Public Realm John Hopkins said: 'This is another important step towards the creation of the parklands that will both enhance the experience of the Games for spectators, athletes and TV viewers and leave a fantastic new green space in legacy. The project is on track and we will be working with our contractor to quickly roll-out the process of buying the tree and plant packages for the whole of the Park.'

The landscape and public realm contractor will be responsible for managing the transformation of 40 hectares of former industrial land and landfill currently being cleared and cleaned, into new open spaces, parklands and waterways fit for the Games and legacy.

This will include hard and soft landscape works including tree planting and the construction of the concourse which will link all the venues, entrances and parklands. The contract will also include creating new wetland and other wildlife habitats, installing new allotments and permanent park furniture, lighting, irrigation and drainage.

A contract for the landscaping of the south of the park will be issued later in 2009
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Tuesday, September 23, 2008 8:57 AM

Record Numbers at Olympic Park opening

The buzz following the performance of Team GB and ParalympicGB at the Beijing 2008 Games brought record numbers to the London 2012 Olympic Park as it opened to the public for London Open House weekend for the second year running.

Around 3,000 people joined bus tours around the Olympic Park, 50 per cent more than last year’s event, to see the site clearance almost complete and construction work underway on the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Athletes Village and bridges, roads, utilities and other infrastructure across the Park.

ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Visitors to the site during last year’s open house were able to see the work underway to clean and clear the Olympic Park, much of it contaminated through decades of industrial use. This weekend thousands of people saw first hand that while Team GB and ParalympicGB were shining in Beijing work has been continuing at pace on the construction of the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games and its legacy. The weekend was a great opportunity to build on the excitement around hosting the Games in London in four year’s time.'

Open House also offered visitors an opportunity to meet Olympic athletes, take part in the Get Set London roadshow and find out how they can be part of London 2012. Get Set London has been travelling around London since January 2008 giving people from all over the capital the chance to try out new sports, test their own fitness and learn more about the business, skills, cultural and sports opportunities available in the run up to the Games.

The event was also an opportunity to gain feedback on the project from the public both during the exhibition and on the bus tours. Comments received included:

'I came on the tour last year and it is very interesting to see how much has changed over the last 12 months.'

'The construction team must be working very hard, well done to them all'

'I feel I experienced and saw much more than I had hoped for. I am amazed by how much work has already been done.'

'Really made the prospect of the Games exciting.'

'Fascinating insight into the whole project and the work involved in creating an Olympic Park.'

'Very impressed – such a vast scale. Very excited to be living in the area.'

'Can’t wait for next year.'
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Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:48 AM

Progress on Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium has moved into the next sequence of construction as the supports are installed for the seating terraces and the concrete slab is poured to create the podium level.

The first pre-cast concrete rakers, which support the terracing units in the lower bowl, have been lifted into place in the west and south stands. The lower bowl holds the 25,000 permanent seats within the Stadium. Over 200 concrete raker units will be placed, all of which will be pre-cast in an area specifically set-up on the south part of the Olympic Stadium site.

The first 12 of 12,000 pre-cast concrete terracing units on which the spectator seats will later be fixed, are being delivered to site next week from factories in Tallington, Lincolnshire and Henlade, Somerset. The units can weigh up to 10 tonnes in weight and contain 20 per cent recycled concrete.

Over 145 columns, each around five metres in height, have been constructed and 1,300 m3 of concrete has been poured to create the podium slab which will serve as the Stadium’s concourse.
Towards the end of this year, the podium slab around the west and south stands will join up with the ground level on the north and east stands, creating a concourse around the entire Stadium where spectators will circulate.

The ODA’s Olympic Stadium project sponsor, Ian Crockford said: “The Olympic Stadium has been designed to be different with the legacy ambitions driving how we construct the venue. 'To create a Stadium with such a temporary element will be a design and engineering first. The team is rising to the challenge and work is progressing on the ground at an impressive rate.

'Work has begun to the west stand lift shafts, one of which is very nearly complete at second floor level.'

Piling work is complete to the abutments which supports the first of the five pedestrian footbridges over waterways that surround the Stadium site. During the Games this bridge will be one of the main connections for spectators to and from the Stadium to the rest of the Olympic Park.
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Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:45 AM

Olympic and Paralympic flags raised by Champions

The Olympic and Paralympic Flags will be raised at a special ceremony on 26 September at City Hall to mark London becoming the next Host City of the Summer Games.

Beijing gold medallist Christine Ohuruogu will raise the Olympic Flag and Chris Holmes MBE, Britain's most successful Paralympic swimmer, will raise the Paralympic Flag. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson will raise the Union flag.

Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee Sebastian Coe and Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell will join 1948 Olympians, Beijing 2008 medal winners and London 2012 hopefuls at the event. Representatives of the British Olympic Association, British Paralympic Association, UK Sport will also be present, alongside community leaders and local schoolchildren.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: 'Raising the flags together at City Hall marks a historic moment for London, following the return of all our athletes who performed so brilliantly at the Beijing Games. The flags signal our dedication and commitment to ensuring that the London Games in 2012 will be a sporting feast open to everyone.'
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Friday, September 19, 2008 9:17 AM

Education Programme launched - Get Set

The London 2012 'Get Set' education programme launched today featuring a new interactive website.

The programme encourages children and young people across the UK to learn about the Games and explore the Paralympic Values of inspiration, determination and equality, as well as the Olympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship.

Highlights include free, flexible resources targeted at specific age groups between 3-19 years old. They include inspirational videos, interactive games, fact sheets and news articles.

Schools and colleges can also join the Get Set network, receiving rewards, recognition and endorsement for work around the Values.

The programme fits alongside the school curriculum
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Thursday, September 18, 2008 3:26 PM

New Olympic Park architecture unveiled

New concept designs for a key piece of utilities infrastructure in the Olympic Park have been unveiled by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) along with new photos showing the progress being made in constructing the new utilities networks.

Concept designs have been unveiled for a pumping station to be built in the south of the Olympic Park that will collect, convey and discharge foul waste from the main venues and buildings in the Olympic Park in Games-time, and from the legacy venues and residential developments after 2012. The pumping station is being built by Barhale Construction and a planning application has now been submitted which includes early design images by John Lyall Architects.

The designs for the pumping station show a circular building to reflect the engineering used in the sewer shafts beneath the ground. The circular shaft structure will rise out of the ground to form the outer shell of the pumping station building with images applied to the exterior of the building to depict the history of the London sewer network and its Victorian origins. There are also plans to include a green roof on the pumping station building to help enhance the ecological value and biodiversity of the Olympic Park site by attracting local wildlife.

New photos have also been released showing construction work on the pumping station where work is well underway to construct the foundations for the building and build a 12.5m wide shaft beneath the ground. The shaft will connect the pumping station to 1.8km of foul sewer tunnels which have now started to be constructed throughout the Olympic Park.

ODA Director of Infrastructure and Utilities Simon Wright, said: 'Design excellence runs through the heart of the project, and the early designs in place for the pumping station show that we can use innovative architecture in functional buildings in the Olympic Park, not just the world-class sporting venues we are building.

'With work on the foundations of the pumping station well underway and tunnelling work now starting on the sewer networks, we are firmly on track to deliver a backbone of new utilities infrastructure for the Olympic Park.'

The pumping station and foul sewer networks will be operational by the end of 2009.
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Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:48 AM

Historic homecoming of Paralympic Games begins

The Handover of the Paralympic Games from Beijing to London took place today in the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

The eight-minute segment in followed the transfer of the Paralympic Flag to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson. It continued the themes from the Olympic Handover segment, with the reappearance of the red London bus, young performers, innovative dance sequences, specially-composed music and iconic landmarks.

As the bus left the stadium it was transformed to carry the London 2012 Paralympic logo, accompanied by Ade Adepitan and ParalympicsGB medal winners David Weir, Shelly Woods, Eleanor Simmonds, David Roberts and the gold medal-winning Boccia team – Nigel Murray, Dan Bentley, Zoe Robinson and David Smith.

In 1948 Dr Ludwig Guttmann organised a sports competition for World War II soldiers with spinal cord injuries at Stoke Mandeville, at the same time as the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games.

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: ‘The Beijing Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony was spectacular and we are proud to have taken part in it and to present a snapshot of London and the UK to the world.

'Our segment was a statement of intent that our Games will be inspiring and fun, and get the whole world involved. We are proud to be the next summer Paralympic Host City.

'I congratulate Beijing for being superb hosts for both Games, to the Chinese team for topping the Paralympic medals table, and to ParalympicsGB for a stunning performance in coming second.’
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Wednesday, September 17, 2008 9:11 AM

Weymouth & Portland plans on course as construction work sails towards finishing line

Construction work to enhance the sailing facilities at Weymouth & Portland for 2012 is racing towards the finishing line, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) announced today.

The Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in 2012 will be hosted at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) which offers world-class facilities and some of the best small boat sailing conditions in the world. The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and its contractors Dean & Dyball began construction work in March to enhance the existing sailing facilities with the construction of a new permanent 250m slipway and new race-boat parking, lifting and mooring facilities.

Construction work is now well over the halfway stage with 70,000 tonnes of Portland stone put in place to reclaim 18,000m2 of land in front of the sailing academy to form the new slipway. Work has also been completed on a 200m breakwater to protect the enhanced facilities, and work is well underway on a new pier offering two yacht lifting cranes, and a new pontoon to provide 70 berths for race-boats.

The progress means the project is expected to be completed in November, keeping Weymouth & Portland on track to be the first venue ready for the 2012 Games, delivering an early legacy of world-class facilities for elite athletes and the local community to use.

Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins said: 'Weymouth & Portland was the first venue for 2012 to start construction work so reaching the final stages of the project is another important milestone. The huge progress we’re making at Weymouth & Portland means we’re on course to finish work ahead of schedule, helping us deliver an early legacy of world-class facilities for elite athletes and the local community to use well ahead of 2012.'

Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: 'The success of our sailors was one of the highlights of a fantastic Beijing Games for Team GB so I’m delighted that we’re on track to deliver enhanced sailing facilities at Weymouth & Portland for our sailors to train well ahead of 2012. Our plans are driven by legacy and these enhanced facilities will also provide new opportunities and facilities for people from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities to experience the thrill of sailing for many years to come.'

The construction work carried out so far at Weymouth & Portland has been delivered with an impressive safety record, with no reportable accidents on site, mirroring work on the Olympic Park construction site in east London where the ODA this month achieved another million hours without a reportable accident.

Together with the ODA’s enhancement works at Weymouth & Portland, Dean & Reddyhoff, developers for the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), are also well underway on work on a new 560-berth commercial marina at Osprey Quay of which 250 berths will be used during the 2012 Games. The marina will include retail and industrial development bringing enormous social and economic regeneration to the local area.
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008 3:04 PM

London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide launched

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) hosted a reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Beijing today to launch the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camp Guide for the Paralympic Games.

The event was hosted by Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, Paralympics GB chairman Mike Brace, Olympics Minister Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP and Sandie Dawe, Director of Strategy and Communications at VisitBritain, and was attended by representatives from National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from all over the world.

The Pre-Games Training Camp Guide contains 175 sporting venues and facilities throughout the UK which meet the standards required to host Paralympic teams and athletes in the run up to the London Games in 2012. Published online, the Guide outlines different venues from all over the country which are suitable training bases for each of the 20 Paralympic sports in 2012 as teams prepare for the Games. Developed by the London 2012 Organising Committee and VisitBritain, the website showcases the quality and variety of sport facilities in the UK capable of hosting elite Paralympic athletes. National Paralympic Committees choosing to base their athletes at one of these training camps are eligible to receive a financial award of up to £25,000 from LOCOG to assist with costs relating to Pre Games Training Camps.

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe said: 'We said that we wanted the London Games to be for athletes, and the facilities listed in this Guide will really help overseas athletes prepare well. It also provides a great opportunity for towns throughout the UK to get involved in our plans.

'The process we have been through shows a great spread of high quality accessible facilities throughout the UK that can be used by elite level athletes. The new website will continue to be an asset to keep an up-to-date log of the elite facilities we have across the UK.'

Tessa Jowell, Olympics Minister, said: 'The whole of the UK has the chance to be involved in 2012, and for the nations and regions there is no better opportunity than through bidding to host the Olympic and Paralympic Training Camps. Olympic and Paralympic teams from around the world can have the opportunity to train and prepare in world class facilities all round the UK.'

Phil Lane, Chef de Mission of Paralympics GB, said: 'Paralympics GB is delighted to have worked in cooperation with VisitBritain and LOCOG to host our fellow NPCs at tonight's event - to mark the launch of the Pre Games Training Camp Guide. Pre Games Training Camps are a critical factor in the success of Paralympics GB and the facilities available throughout the UK will greatly assist our fellow NPCs as they prepare for the London Games.'

Sandie Dawe, Director of Strategy and Communications at Visit Britain, says: 'Britain is one of the world's top sports destinations, with world-renowned events and venues in every nation and region of the UK. We are also a very inclusive and accessible destination, which prides itself on catering for every type of visitor. The Paralympic teams and their supporters who come here to train and compete in 2012 can be assured of a world class welcome.'

The event was also attended by representatives from Wales and seven of the English regions of the UK - East of England, East Midlands, North East, North West, South East, West Midlands, and London.
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Monday, September 15, 2008 5:46 PM

Local children join London 2012 ‘Construction Crew’ programme

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has launched its ‘Construction Crew’ programme, enabling local school children to experience the work going into delivering the venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games.

Twenty year-six students from eight schools across the Host Boroughs – Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets and Greenwich – have been individually nominated by the schools to take part in the programme. They will visit the Olympic Park and see the progress being made first-hand, and take part in workshops to promote leadership, responsibility and presentation skills.

Through these visits and workshops the students will develop a better understanding of the London 2012 project which is creating the largest new urban park in Europe for 150 years. They will be encouraged to take these new skills and knowledge back to their schools and present the information to their peers.

The Crew have completed a tw