£80m velodrome is on track for 2012

THIS aerial image released today shows the £80million velodrome in the north of the Olympic Park beginning to take shape.

The Olympic Delivery Authority began work in August to excavate the bowl for the 2012 track cycling venue. Some 48,000 square metres of earth - enough to fill 19 Olympic-sized swimming pools - have been removed to create the 60 metre by 100 metre arena.

The velodrome is on the site of the former West Ham refuse tip and the ODA has recently had to deal with contamination problems. The 6,000-seat velodrome is the centrepiece of the VeloPark with the 2012 BMX track adjoining it.

After the Games, a road cycle circuit and mountain bike course will be added.

Concrete piles, sunk up to 20 metres deep, will be installed early next year to create the foundations.