The move follows the opening last month of a water control structure, known as the Three Mills Lock, which enables large freight barges to enter the Park. Material is loaded at a new jetty on the Waterworks River opposite the Aquatics Centre and travels down to the Thames.
Switching the waste movements to water was always intended to represent a “key aspect” of Veolia's waste management contract with the ODA, which also includes the development of a centralised waste management service and waste consolidation centre in the Park.
The target set out in the ODA's Sustainable Development Strategy, published in 2007, stated that 50% of materials (by weight) would be transported by rail or water. In April 2009, the ODA announced that it was achieving 57% of deliveries by rail alone.
ODA environment manager, Richard Jackson, said: “The waterways will be a key feature of the Olympic Park, characterising the parklands and open spaces for spectators in 2012 and the local communities after the Games.
“During the 'big build', they will also play a key role in our logistics strategy, with barges bringing construction materials into the Park and waste out again. This is vital in helping us meet our sustainability targets and will cut down on the number of lorries travelling on the roads,” he added.
British Waterways' director for London, Mark Bensted, said: “I hope that the lock will help make a real difference, removing lorries from local roads and promoting water transport as a viable option to contractors both in the build up to the Games and in Legacy.”
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