Olympics: Our builders shouldn’t miss business

[Fiona]

BUILDING companies in London and the South East are at risk of missing out on the £2.4billion set aside for 2012 Olympic Games' construction projects, industry leaders have warned.

The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has raised concerns that many major contracts could be awarded to firms that use labour and sub-contractors outside of the capital.

NFB, which represents the interests of 2,000 small and medium-sized construction companies across England and Wales, is calling on the London Development Agency (LDA) to ensure controls are in place that recognise the interests of the sector.

Gary Amer, regional director of NFB in the South, said: "The London Olympics have the potential to be the best ever and though the NFB recognises that the benefits need to trickle down across the UK, I'm concerned many local construction companies and their employees could miss out. Though it's appreciated the ODA hasn't been established yet and that many of the contracts won't be available until 2008, it's essential that small and medium-sized contractors are involved from an early stage. We're currently working hard to influence the LDA and hope to have meaningful discussions with the ODA later this year."

The LDA will establish the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) later this year. The newly formed organisation will manage the £2.375billion of public money that has been allocated for new venues and infrastructure improvements.

Mr Amer added: "It's important that companies based in the South East are given the opportunity to present their case, especially because the legacy of the 2012 Olympics needs to stretch further than just bricks and mortar.

"Using local construction firms provides a wonderful opportunity because it will boost training and mean that the sector is in a strong position, not just in the next seven years, but for the foreseeable future."

David Smith, marketing director of now Watford-based construction companyTaylor Woodrow, previously Ealing, said: "Every bid will have to go through a formal process and contracts will be awarded on merit. There will be opportunities for all. There can really be no criticism of the process either way until that happens."

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