Games pool is on time and under budget

(GETTY IMAGES)

The controversial Aquatics Centre will be finished next week as the Olympic Park, the venue for next year's London Games, moves ever closer to completion. Construction is set be finished within time and budget, according to Hugh Robertson, the Minister for Sport and the Olympics, with nearly 90 per cent of building work done.

The budget for the Zaha Hadid-designed pool, one of the park's signature venues, spiralled to £262m, but it represents a rare blot in what is otherwise an impressive build by the Olympic Delivery Authority.

London organisers were recently lavishly praised by the International Olympic Committee for their Games preparations.

Mr Robertson said: "Construction is 88 per cent complete, ahead of time and under budget. The ODA has done a remarkable job to deliver top quality facilities in a challenging environment imposed by a fixed deadline and strict budget."

The ODA has trimmed £16m off its anticipated final cost, which now stands at £7.25bn. The overall Games budget remains £9.298bn.