Olympic Park QS on hold

Bidders, which include Faithful & Gould, Turner & Townsend and Currie & Brown, initially expected the appointment to be made by next month. The firms have been interviewed for the scheme in the last two weeks. One said: “We thought the winner would start in time for Christmas but it’s looking more like next year.”

The package includes civil engineering work such as ground services, putting in the power and water supply, drainage and hard and soft landscaping. The project will create 72 bridges, canals and a road network. The contract has been changed by the LDA, the client, from fixed price to reimbursable.

The delay came as two key appointments were made at the Olympic Delivery Agency. English Partnerships head David Higgins, who had a crucial role in delivering the Sydney Olympics five years ago, was this week named as the chief executive at the body after being widely touted for the role. Higgins’ appointment follows the announcement last week of Jack Lemley, the former chief executive of the Channel Tunnel, as chairman of the ODA, which will oversee the construction required for the games.