While there is no specific requirement in place, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is encouraging all contractors to use the waterways 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 embracing this challenge; for example, Team Stadium (the consortium constructing the Olympic Stadium) are building offloading facilities near the stadium to enable movement of materials by water. Two of the ODA's other tier one contractors, Veolia and Aggregate Industries, have also committed to using the waterways to transport materials in and waste out. Veolia, the site waste management contractor, is expected to have the first barge carrying waste out of the park at the end of June 2009, following the opening of Three Mills Lock (formerly known as Prescott Lock) this month.
Water-borne freight can access the Olympic Park via several of the waterways which run next to and through the Olympic Park.
The Lea Navigation canal, which runs along the western perimeter of the site, already enables 100 tonne barges to access the park. Access to Waterworks River (which runs through the centre of the Park) has been facilitated by investment in a new lock at Three Mills (formerly known as Prescott Lock). This lock will enable the passage of 350 tonne barges to the Olympic Park wharf located opposite the aquatics centre. Dredging has been undertaken along Waterworks River to ensure barges can reach the new wharf.
The construction of Three Mills lock was managed by British Waterways with funding contributions from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), Transport for London, Department for Transport, London Development Agency and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. Dredging was undertaken by British Waterways. The new wharf along Waterworks River has been constructed by the ODA's tier one contractor, Volker Highways.
Contracts for landscaping of the London 2012 Olympic Park are the responsibility of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and are awarded following a competitive tendering process. The authority is a public body whose procurements are subject to the public contracts regulations.
The ODA, in support of its overarching commitment to value and quality, sets a number of requirements, including demonstration of quality and functionality, equality and diversity, design and accessibility, and sustainability, as part of the evaluation criteria used to award contracts. In addition to this core criteria, bespoke commercial and technical conditions are set as appropriate for each of the individual contracts within the Landscape and Public Realm project.
Further detail on ODA procurement policy and principles can be found in the ODA Procurement Policy (published March 2007) and the ODA Supplier Guide (published June 2008).
Over the next three years, there will be a number of opportunities available to landscaping contractors to supply the thousands of young woodland trees, shrubs and other plants needed to complement those trees and plants already secured for a spectacular and sustainable Olympic Park in both games-time and legacy.