Olympic site pylons pulled down

The removal of the pylons will cost �250m

Work has begun to remove the first of 52 pylons that dominate the Olympic Park, in time for the 2012 games.

The electricity pylons will be replaced by two four-mile long tunnels, which will carry the power lines underground at the site in Stratford, east London.

Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) chairman David Higgins said the removal symbolised the "huge change" the games would bring to east London.

All 52 pylons are due to be removed by the end of the year.

The ODA said the �250m move was vital for the permanent regeneration of the area.

Olympic village

Most of the material dug up during tunnel construction is being used in the construction of the Olympic Park.

The site will include an 80,000-seat stadium, a 17,500-seat aquatics centre and 3,000-home Olympic village.

The skyline will soon be transformed for good, leading to a new urban sporting park ready to welcome the world in 2012 and beyond Lord Coe, London 2012 chairman

A symbolic removal of the first pylon is due to take place in front of Mr Higgins, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe and Olympics minister Tessa Jowell.

Lord Coe said it was significant that the ODA had reached this point on schedule.

"This is an exciting moment. Already the landscape of the Olympic Park is changing as sports stadia take shape," he said.

"The skyline will soon be transformed for good, leading to a new urban sporting park ready to welcome the world in 2012 and beyond."

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