Olympic stadium and aquatic centre hit by delays

The London 2012 Olympic stadium and aquatics centre have had their completion dates pushed back after being hit by delays.

The Olympic stadium will now be finished in April 2011 – two months later than planned even though construction work started on it two months early.

The aquatics centre will be completed in August 2011 – four months later than planned.

But officials are confident the venues will still be finished in time to allow test events to start before the Games commence.

According to a report by the House of Commons public accounts committee, fitting out of the venues will be done while construction work is wrapped up.

It blames the delays on time taken to produce specifications, obtain planning approvals and negotiate contracts.

In the report MPs expressed concern about inflationary pressure and suppliers becoming insolvent in the current economic climate.

It also warns that after the Beijing Olympics the world’s attention will turn to London, which could “bring pressure” to change venue and infrastructure specifications.

MPs also raised concern over funding arrangements for the Olympic village, which the Olympic Delivery Authority and developer Bovis Lend Lease is still trying to sort out with banks.