The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced what it describes as 'a world-class shortlist' of contractors bidding to manage the landscaping of the northern section of the London 2012 Olympic Park, which will be one of the largest urban parks in Europe for 105 years.

The four companies are Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd, Edmund Nuttall, Skanska McNicholas and Balfour Beatty.

The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is aiming to award the contract in the summer so trees and other plants can be pre-ordered. Work is due to start on site in 2009.

It’s expected that the appointed contractor will select and manage a number of specialist subcontractors.

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ODA Parklands and Public Realm project sponsor John Hopkins, said: "We have had an encouraging response from industry keen to be involved in transforming former industrial land and we look forward to appointing a world-class contractor to manage the creation of a park fit for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and local people in legacy."

The landscape and public realm contractor will be responsible for managing the transforming of 40 hectares of former industrial land and landfill currently being cleared and cleaned, into new open spaces, parklands and waterways fit for the Games and legacy.

This will include hard and soft landscape works including tree planting and the construction of the Olympic Concourse which will link all the venues, entrances and parklands. The contract will also include creating new wetland and other wildlife habitats, installing new allotments and permanent park furniture, lighting, irrigation and drainage. A contract for the landscaping of the south of the Park will be issued later in 2008.

(JM)