Planning committee gives go-ahead for transport upgrades and remediation work, as Tessa Jowell faces MPs' questions over spiralling costs

The Olympic Delivery Authority planning committee has approved the first three planning applications for the London 2012 Games.

The committee has approved plans at Stratford station for a gateline extension above the Jubilee and North London Line platforms and a westbound platform for the Central Line.

The upgrade works, which will start in early 2007 and be completed by 2012, will improve capacity in the run up to 2012.

The committee also approved site remediation work of parts of the Olympic Park. These applications will require the closure of Quatermile Lane, and parts of Carpenters Road and Marshgate Lane.

Demolition and remediation will begin in December.

Meanwhile, Olympics minister Tessa Jowell is to be questioned by MPs today after organisers admitted that the costs of the Games could rise from £2.4bn to £5bn.

Jowell will appear this morning before the House of Commons culture, media and sport committee to answer questions about an unexpected VAT bill for building costs.

The ODA is currently reviewing the original 2004 budget for the Games and is expected to announce a revised financial plan in February.

  • The new owner of West Ham football club has said he would consider moving the club to the Olympic stadium. Icelandic businessman Eggert Magnusson, who led the £85m takeover, said: "If there is an opportunity to discuss a long-term move to the Olympic Stadium I would like to explore that, recognising that there will also need to be an athletics legacy from the London 2012 Olympic Games."

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