Woolwich shooting range costs must be cut by £10m

AT LEAST £10million must be cut from the spiralling cost of converting Woolwich barracks into a shooting range or the Olympic event could be staged elsewhere.

Consultants for the Olympic Delivery Authority are under pressure to reduce the venue's cost from £42million to £30million. CLM, the consortium that manages the building programme for the ODA, will present lower-cost proposals to the Olympic board next month.

Olympic sources say savings can be made on the security budget for the venue. Despite spiralling costs and its a lack of legacy for British shooting, Woolwich remains the favourite to host shooting. Evening Standard understands the national shooting centre in Bisley, Surrey, has been ruled out by a government-commissioned analysis of venues by accountants KPMG.

Barking Reach, the site of a former power station on the north bank of the Thames, remains a third option.

A decision was deferred from last month's Olympic board. The Olympic Delivery Authority and organising committee Locog, are thought to be in favour of the status quo on shooting.

Organisers feel the KPMG report, commissioned following concerns over the cost of temporary venues, is in danger of derailing other aspects of the project. Sources say greater savings can be made elsewhere on the £6billion construction budget.

The British Olympic Association is pressing for a range to be left at the barracks after the Games. The National Rifle Association and British Shooting want the event moved to Bisley.

An ODA spokesman said: "Work is ongoing to evaluate whether Woolwich represents best value for money."

The search continues for a home for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics after a plan for a £40million temporary arena in North Greenwich was scrapped after the KPMG review. Possible alternatives include ExCel and Earl's Court.