Challenges and benefits outlined in new report

A summary of the ODA’s Programme Baseline report includes detail on the huge challenge of transforming old polluted industrial land into a benchmark 21st century urban environment. 2.5 sq km of brownfield land has to be cleared of buildings and decontaminated.

The summary also outlines the long-term investment that is being made in the Lower Lea Valley, home to some of the most underdeveloped communities in the UK.

The benefits to the area highlighted in the report include the development of 4,000 new homes and 110 hectares of new open space. The International Broadcast Centre/Main Press Centre will be converted after the Games to create new employment space equivalent to the size of the Canary Wharf Tower.

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: ‘Delivering the venues and infrastructure needed for 2012 will be a hugely challenging project and the scale of works outlined in this report are matched only by the enormous legacy benefits they will deliver.’

Read the full media release