Olympic Park Sites Unlocked As Pylons Are Dismantled

Work to remove the first of 52 pylons on the Olympic Park has started.

Removing the pylons will transform the landscape of the Park and allow construction work to take place on keys areas of the site.

Following the two-year powerlines construction project, power has now been switched to underground cables which run through two new 6km long tunnels.

As set out in the 'big build: foundations' publication published earlier this year, all 52 pylons will be dismantled by 27 July 2009 - exactly three years from the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games.


ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said: "Removing the overhead pylons from the Olympic Park site is a symbol of the huge change the Games is bringing to east London. With the pylons coming down and the Stadium steel going up we are transforming the skyline of the Lower Lea Valley for good.

"The powerlines project has been hugely challenging but the completion of the underground tunnels has been done on time and to budget and I congratulate the team for this achievement."

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has also published a new document - 'Investing in the future'. It highlights some of the ways in which the Games are not only about a summer of fantastic sport and culture, but also a catalyst for regenerating this part of east London.

(CD/JM)