Aggregates to be transported by water to Olympic Park

The company will be the sole provider of sand, gravel, crushed stone and the recycled concrete needed for the construction of the venues and infrastructure for the Olympic Park.

According to the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), by using water and rail, Aggregate Industries is able to commit to transporting 99% of aggregate materials via sustainable transport surpassing the ODA's target of 50%. The supplier is also confident that it can provide 70% of the materials needed as recycled aggregates, exceeding the ODA's aim for 25%.

Aggregate Industries (via their subsidiary Allen C Bennett & Sons Ltd) plan to use two 100 tonne barges (Lee Class) and three 350 tonne barges to provide a typical daily delivery by water of between 500-1000 tonnes.

Dave Allen commercial director of Allen C Bennett & Sons Ltd comments: "We are delighted to get freight traffic back on the river. This is a lovely reward for both ourselves and BW and is as a result of championing and promoting the idea of using the Bow Back Rivers and building Prescott Lock."

Richard Rutter, regeneration & restoration manager for British Waterways comments: "Work at Prescott Lock is progressing well and we are on target to have barge trials through the lock by the close of this summer’s Beijing Olympics. We will soon see a regular flow of construction traffic on the rivers right up until the London Olympic park is built."