An interview with Hugh Sumner, Director of London's Olympic Delivery Unit - October 2006
From his 22nd floor office in London’s Docklands, Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport at the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), has a fine view across East London, the future home of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
I asked Hugh about the demands of delivering this momentous task and what sports he’ll be watching at the Games.
The ODA was established by the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act on the 31st March this year. This Act allows the ODA to control such things as land acquisition, building works and, importantly for Sumner, putting in place transport infrastructure. Working closely with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games chaired by Lord Coe, the ODA is essentially the public body responsible for ensuring delivery of the new venues and the legacy that will follow.
As soon as London’s name was announced by Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), on 6 July 2005, Sumner knew that he had to hit the ground running – this being the key to delivering on time. He had been involved with the London 2012 bid since its early stages in 2003, developing plans with his Transport for London team, and fully understood the magnitude of what had to be done.
London’s transport infrastructure will undergo major improvements. A total of £18 billion is committed to be spent on transport in the capital between now and the Games. Sumner acknowledges that all too often transport schemes are stymied by lack of funding. This will not be the case for 2012, where upfront and committed investment was secured. Sumner is keen to highlight that almost all the transport infrastructure related to the Games is underway. And the best Christmas gift he hopes to receive in 2010 will be its completion. This early delivery date will enable thorough testing of all Games venues and infrastructure, as required by the IOC.
Given the plethora of stakeholders involved, Sumner believes that one of the key ingredients to success is having a shared collective vision. This, he argues, must be done from the onset. The ODA has worked hard to encourage a common vision amongst all parties involved. He singles out ‘strategic partners’ such as the Mayor of London, and regional bodies such as Transport for London and the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation as well as local partners including the London boroughs and transport operators.
A good example of this ‘shared’ enthusiasm was given recently by the Mayor of Newham – Sir Robin Wales – so keen on the positive impact the Games would have for his borough, he claims that “East is the new West!”
It is important for London that the Games will leave a positive legacy. To this effect the ODA is working with the Government and the Mayor of London to ensure that benefits for London and to the rest of the UK can be maximised. In preparing for the Games, the ODA will put in place the infrastructure needed to enable regeneration and the development of sustainable communities in the Lower Lea Valley; this in turn will act as a catalyst for the rest of the Thames Gateway towards Essex.
There’s no doubt that this is a massive challenge, but Sumner is relishing his role at the ODA. Unfortunately for him, an avid sports fan, he thinks he will be too busy overseeing the transport operations to attend any of the sporting events – even his beloved tennis.
Visit London's Olympic Delivery Unit at www.london2012.com
