ODA breaks new ground with sustainability award for 2012 transport plans

The Olympic Delivery Authority’s transport plans for the London 2012 Games have achieved the British Standard in sustainable event management, becoming one of the first organisations to achieve the 2009 sustainability standard. The assessment for the British Standard recognised that the 2012 transport plans would deliver a “learning legacy” for how future major events are planned.

The British Standard in Sustainability Management Systems for Events
(BS 8901:2009), was developed to create a new benchmark for how major events should be planned around key sustainability principles. Following a series of assessments of the transport plans for the 2012 Games carried out by certification body Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), the Olympic Delivery Authority became one of the first organisations to achieve the new sustainability standard.

At the heart of the transport plans for 2012 is a commitment to encourage spectators to travel to events by public transport, walking or cycling, helping to deliver a sustainable Games and using the power of the Games to drive change in the planning of major events. To achieve this the ODA, together with its transport partners, is delivering a range of improvements to London’s transport network to help make public transport, walking and cycling the most attractive option for spectators travelling to the Games.

In achieving the BS 8901 sustainability standard, the ODA has also explored ways to further reduce the carbon impact of its transport activities, including the use of low carbon concrete in the construction of transport infrastructure and the adoption of low carbon technologies.  Further sustainability objectives include the advancement in transport accessibility and inclusivity through improved infrastructure and information systems

ODA Director of Transport Hugh Sumner said: “Becoming one of the first organisations to be awarded this sustainability standard is a considerable achievement and shows how our transport plans for 2012 are setting new benchmarks and delivering an important learning legacy for how future major events are planned. We are on track to complete the transport improvements needed for the Games and legacy by the end of the year and this award is welcome recognition of the good progress we have made so far as we move into detailed operational planning.”

Richard Sadler, Lloyd’s Register Chief Executive from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) said: “Through-out their assessment, the ODA demonstrated a high commitment to the management and improvement of significant sustainability issues associated with the provision of transport to the London 2012 Games. Attainment to this standard actively shows the ODA’s commitment to mitigating the social, environmental and economic impacts that travelling to the London 2012 Games may cause.”

The British Standard in Sustainability Management Systems for Events certification was presented to the ODA today by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA).

The ODA is on track with its programme of transport infrastructure improvements that will leave legacy benefits for London long after the Games. Work completed to date includes:

• The construction of a new 12-track railway depot at Orient Way;
• Two new platforms for North London Line services to replace the low level platforms previously used by the DLR;
• The first of 22 new DLR rail cars co-funded by the ODA are in service;
• The construction of a new Eastern Egress bridge at Stratford International Station to shorten the walking distance to Stratford Regional Station;
• The DLR’s second crossing under the river to Woolwich Arsenal, opened in February 2009, improving access to the Shooting events;
• Work on the DLR extension to Stratford International is well underway and is on track to open in July 2010;
• Passengers at Stratford Regional Station are already using three new lifts and wider staircases. A new upper level station entrance and westbound Central Line platform are all on track to be completed by the end of 2010;
• Work has started on improving cycle routes in east London as a result of the ODA’s £11m investment;
• Operational planning, including timetabling, is being developed.

Posted on website - May 2010

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