Olympic regeneration powers ahead

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Chair Jack Lemley and Chief Executive David Higgins joined Olympic Minister Tessa Jowell, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, London organising committee Chair Sebastian Coe to visit the site of the project to underground the powerlines in the Olympic Park.

The powerlines which currently overshadow the Olympic Park area are to be placed in two tunnels underground - meaning that 52 electricity pylons will be demolished along the six kilometre route.

Today the first of the two shafts on site has reached a depth of 30m which means that tunnelling can start in a few weeks time.

This milestone falls in the week that the ODA became a statutory body after Royal Assent of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act.

The ODA has responsibility for building the infrastructure necessary for the Games and ensuring there is a sustainable legacy post 2012.

Tessa Jowell said: "This is the start of something big: the tunnelling work we are setting in motion today marks the first stage of the transformation of the Olympic Park to make it a home fit for the 2012 Games."

"But this is about much more than 29 days of sport in the summer of 2012. This huge and impressive powerlines project shows our determination to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, improving lives and changing the face of London for ever."

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: "For decades many people have identified the Lower Lea Valley with large pylons and power lines and burying them underground unlocks this precious space enabling us to deliver a lasting legacy of thousands of new homes for Londoners, many of which will be affordable."

"It will also transform the landscape of east London for the enjoyment of local people and Londoners alike for generations to come."

6 April 2006

Click here to read the press release