London 2012 blog

I have been working on the Olympic Park for over a year as Assistant Supervisor for Enabling works on Construction Zones 1 and 2. For the uninitiated, come Games-time, Zone 1 will accommodate the Aquatics Centre and Zone 2 will be the main gateway to the Olympic Stadium. Enabling works is a catch-all term for demolition, remediation (cleaning the soil to get rid of contamination) and general site clearance, as well as some not insignificant structures and utility work.

My role involves working for the Project Management team out on site, in close contact with the contractor carrying out the works on my designated zones. I have to check that the contractor is working to the quality required, working fast enough to meet programme deadlines, using the budget sensibly and working to current health and safety legislation.

The main issue on this particular site is contaminated land, and the help I receive from my specialist support team on this matter has been invaluable. The way the contract is set up encourages a collaborative approach from all involved, and thanks to the great team out here on site I have seen this area of the east end transform from a row of buildings falling into disrepair and disused rail sidings into a site which looks like the place where Swimming gold medals will be won and lost in 2012. The pool and seating areas are now clearly visible and work is on course to be handed over to the contractor building the Aquatics Centre at the end of May.

I feel great that I have been given an opportunity to work on such a prestigious project and I have learnt so much in quite a short period of time, meeting lots of highly talented people who are all working together to make the Games happen. I hope to use what I have learnt here to help me become a chartered civil engineer in the near future. I am set to leave site in the next month or so, but I will never forget this last year or the people who have helped enhance the experience.