More firms sign up for 2012 Construction Commitments

The number of signatories to the 2012 Construction Commitments has more than doubled in the six months since the Construction Industry Council (CIC) criticised contractors for registering interest in Olympic work without committing to the code of best practice.

CIC chief executive Graham Watts and Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) construction director Howard Shiplee expressed their frustration at last November's Thames Gateway Forum that only 133 contractors had signed, compared with the 3,000 that had registered interest in Olympic work.

That figure has since climbed to 271.

Watts said of the rise: "This is a considerable increase on 130, but not much of a dent in the 3,000 that had signed up to the ODA's website.

"Given the nature of the industry, it's probably quite reasonable that the number of signatories has risen at this rate. But what people have to remember is that it's not just about the Olympics, it's also a good way to promote best practice."