ODA starts search for 20 timber specialists for its Timber Supplier Panel

Only sustainable timber will be used during construction of the London 2012 games, the Olympic Delivery Authority has pledged.

The authority today started the search for up to 20 timber suppliers to form a Timber Supplier Panel, which will supply up to 600,000m2 of hardwood, softwood plywood and other products, plus 40,000m2 of softwood timber to contractors and their suppliers.

It has also published its latest sustainability update, showing it is beating the target for reusing or recycling more than 90% of demolition materials on the Olympic Park site.

ODA chief executive David Higgins said: "We want London 2012 to be a truly sustainable Games and this ambition runs through the heart of the construction project.

“A framework for the responsible sourcing of timber is unprecedented for a project of this size and scale. However, working closely with the timber and construction industries it is an opportunity to break new ground in sustainable sourcing.”

The timber suppliers will have to comply with certification schemes approved by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET).

The panel is expected to be appointed in July 2008. The deadline for pre-qualification questionnaire submissions is 7 April 2008.