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An interview with Hugh SumnerIn each edition of The Review, we feature an interview with a key transport figure. For this issue, Marion Gourlayspent time with Hugh Sumner, Director of Transport at the Olympic Delivery Authority. If you would like tocontribute your views, email marketing@sdgworld.net or contact Nadine Kayser on +44 (0)20 7919 8500.The race is onFrom his 22nd floor officein London’s Docklands,Hugh Sumner, Director ofTransport at the OlympicDelivery Authority (ODA),has a fine view acrossEast London, the futurehome of the London 2012 OlympicGames and Paralympic Games.We asked Hugh about the demands ofdelivering this momentous task and whatsports he’ll be watching at the Games.The ODA was established by the LondonOlympic Games and Paralympic Games Acton the 31st March this year. This Act allowsthe ODA to control such things as landacquisition, building works and, importantlyfor Sumner, putting in place transportinfrastructure. Working closely with theLondon Organising Committee of the OlympicGames and Paralympic Games chaired byLord Coe, the ODA is essentially the publicbody responsible for ensuring delivery of thenew venues and the legacy that will follow.As soon as London’s name was announcedby Jacques Rogge, the President of theInternational Olympic Committee (IOC),on 6 July 2005, Sumner knew that hehad to hit the ground running – thisbeing the key to delivering on time. Hehad been involved with the London2012 bid since its early stages in 2003,developing plans with his Transport forLondon team, and fully understood themagnitude of what had to be done.London’s transport infrastructure willundergo major improvements. A total of£18 billion is committed to be spent ontransport in the capital between now andthe Games. Sumner acknowledges that alltoo often transport schemes are stymiedby lack of funding. This will not be the casefor 2012, where upfront and committedinvestment was secured. Sumner is keento highlight that almost all the transportinfrastructure related to the Games isunderway. And the best Christmas gifthe hopes to receive in 2010 will be itscompletion. This early delivery date willenable thorough testing of all Games venuesand infrastructure, as required by the IOC.Given the plethora of stakeholdersinvolved, Sumner believes that one ofthe key ingredients to success is having ashared collective vision. This, he argues,must be done from the onset. The ODAhas worked hard to encourage a commonvision amongst all parties involved. Hesingles out ‘strategic partners’ such as theMayor of London, and regional bodies suchas Transport for London and the LondonThames Gateway Development Corporationas well as local partners including theLondon boroughs and transport operators.A good example of this ‘shared’enthusiasm was given recently by theMayor of Newham – Sir Robin Wales– so keen on the positive impact theGames would have for his borough, heclaims that “East is the new West!”It is important for London that the Gameswill leave a positive legacy. To this effectthe ODA is working with the Governmentand the Mayor of London to ensure thatbenefits for London and to the rest of theUK can be maximised. In preparing forthe Games, the ODA will put in place theinfrastructure needed to enable regenerationand the development of sustainablecommunities in the Lower Lea Valley; thisin turn will act as a catalyst for the restof the Thames Gateway towards Essex.There’s no doubt that this is a massivechallenge, but Sumner is relishing hisrole at the ODA. Unfortunately for him,an avid sports fan, he thinks he willbe too busy overseeing the transportoperations to attend any of the sportingevents – even his beloved tennis.Visit www.london2012.com