Project team lead by Balfour Beatty, Zaha Hadid and Arup finalise construction plans for roof criticised by the BBC

Construction of the aquatics centre for the 2012 Olympic Games is to start ahead of schedule this month, according to the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Aquatics Centre

The ODA made the statement in response to a BBC report questioning whether or not the centre could be built.

The report claimed the roof of the venue might be too complicated to be built, and that there were concerns over the materials used to build it.

But the ODA countered that the project team of Balfour Beatty, Zaha Hadid Architects and Arup have finalised a construction plan for the roof.

Timber cladding is likely to be used for the internal part of the roof structure, with different materials currently being tested, but it will mainly be built with steel and aluminium covering.

John Nicholson, project sponsor for the aquatics centre, said: “The innovative building structure design is finalised and the contractor is on site and ready to start construction ahead of schedule this month. As is standard on any project we are progressing the detailed design development which includes considering a range of materials for particular elements, such as timber cladding.”

Construction is likely to begin a month earlier than scheduled, as previous ODA announcements have said construction would commence by the Beijing Games. It will be completed in 2011.