Key figures from the UK’s leading infrastructure providers got together at our 10th Annual Executive Briefing in Stapleford Park, in Leicestershire to discuss how they are shaping up for the London 2012 Olympics.
 
The two day conference featured presentations from a number of organisations including National Grid, EDF Energy, the Olympic Delivery Authority and London First. Chaired jointly by AMT board director, the Rt Hon William Hague MP and Group Chairman Steve Norris, the theme for the briefing was the work being undertaken by some of the nation’s largest construction and utility companies who must guarantee the provision of core services and power supplies to the Olympic Games when they kick off in the UK’s capital in five years’ time.
 
Proceedings on Day One commenced with an introduction from Mr. Hague and presentations from Chris Murray, Director for Asset Management at National Grid and Barry Hatton, Director of Capital Programme at EDF Energy. Each company discussed the power infrastructure that will supply the 2012 redevelopment site in East London. Two underground tunnels being built between West Ham and Hackney, which will enable the major phase of construction to begin, also came under the spotlight. The second major milestone in the Olympic Delivery Authority’s “Demolish, Dig, Design” Phase, the tunnels will accommodate power lines that run to the site. These are currently housed on 52 electricity pylons that will be dismantled so they do not overshadow the Olympic Park area in the Lower Lea Valley.
 
Next on stage was Howard Shiplee, Director of Construction for London 2012. Mr. Shiplee provided an update on the overall construction requirements for the event which span a site twice the size of Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5 and make up one of the largest construction and engineering projects in Europe. Mr. Shiplee revealed that the project, which is the largest planning application in European history, will result in around 1.8 million cubic metres of material being moved during the demolition phase – 90% of which will be recycled or reused within the Olympic Park. During the peak construction phase, approximately 9,000 construction workers will be on site helping to build Europe’s largest urban park for nearly 200 years.
 
Baroness Valentine, Chief Executive of London First concluded proceedings by discussing what London 2012 will mean for UK businesses, the impact and benefit it will have on the local community, plus the lasting legacy the Olympic Park will bring for London and the whole of the UK.
 
Commenting on the event, Brian Miller, Deputy Chairman of AMT-SYBEX said; “The calibre of speakers we have attracted to this year’s Executive Briefing is unprecedented. We are honoured that so many key players in the Olympic project chose Stapleford Park as the best forum to provide an update on their vision and progress to date. Whenever the Olympics is mentioned, most people think of the athletes and impact the games will have on the UK economy. Fewer think about the core services needed to supply the games and the co-ordinated effort that is required to bring this to fruition by tapping into the nation’s existing essential infrastructure. Our aim in organising this event is to highlight the efforts of everyone involved and the ongoing commitment our partners have to the Olympics and to driving efficiencies across London and the UK’s wider infrastructure system.”
 
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