Written question asked by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 June 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 29 June 2009. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Monday, 29 June 2009 on behalf of the Minister for the Olympics.

Olympic Games 2012: Construction

Question: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what plans she has to encourage construction companies on the Olympic site to use waterborne freight.

Answer: The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) encourages all contractors to use the waterways, where possible, to transport materials. The ODA's work to open up navigable waterways will actively encourage contractors to employ sustainable transport methods at every opportunity.Contractors are also embracing this challenge, for example, Team Stadium (the consortium constructing the Olympic Stadium) is building offloading facilities near the stadium to enable movement of materials by water. Two of the ODA's other tier 1 contractors, Veolia Environmental Services and Aggregate Industries, have also committed to using the waterways to transport materials in and waste out. Veolia Environmental Services, the site waste management contractor, is expected to have the first barge carrying waste out of the park in late June following the opening of Three Mills Lock (formerly known as Prescott Lock).The target set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy published in 2007 stated that 50 per cent. of materials (by weight) would be transported by rail or water. Figures published in April show that the ODA is already achieving 57 per cent. of deliveries by rail alone.The ODA also continues to work closely with British Waterways, Transport for London, the Department for Transport and the Port of London authority to create and promote opportunities to transport materials by water.

Secondary information