ODA boss says design and budget will be finalised by the end of the month

A concept design and budget for the Olympic stadium will be finalised by the end of this month, David Higgins, chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has confirmed.

Speaking to Building, Higgins said he saw initial designs for the stadium last week. Detailed designs will be ready by February.

Higgins also hinted that the stadium would not be given over to use by a single sports club after the Olympics. West Ham is thought to be interested in using the venue, but Higgins said it was “old hat” to have a stadium with a single tenure.

He also hit back at claims by former chairman Jack Lemley that his warnings over contamination on the site had been ignored. Higgins said he did listen to Lemley and that two-thirds of the land had now been assessed.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport this week dismissed claims by Lemley that Higgins had known of budget increases and contamination problems, but was silenced by the government.

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