The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) is exceeding its targets for making deliveries to the Olympic Park for construction by sustainable means.

The target set out in the Sustainable Development Strategy published in 2007 stated that 50% of materials (by weight) would be transported by rail or water. New figures show that the ODA is achieving 57% of deliveries by rail alone.

The Olympic Park will also soon be using the waterways to transport construction materials in and out of the site. Dredging of the local waterways is starting within the next month and after Prescott Lock opens early this summer, 350-tonne barges will have access into the site.

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The rail freight facilities within the Olympic Park currently manages the delivery and removal of thousands of tonnes of bulk aggregate products for concrete production, and fill material for the Olympic Park on a daily basis. The Bow East Logistics Centre can also handle multi-modal product shipments like sand, steel, cable reels, pallets and containers.

David Higgins Chief Executive of the ODA said: "We have set tough targets on sustainability which we are currently exceeding. To have 57% of materials by weight delivered to site by sustainable means on a project of this scale is a real achievement. By switching road deliveries to rail, we have significantly reduced traffic and pollution on the roads around the Olympic Park.

"We are not complacent about the challenges that lie ahead and we are aware of the increased difficulty in maintaining this record as construction ramps up and the number of deliveries increases. We are however confident that we are moving in the right direction, and have got off to a great start."

(CD/JM)