Two consortiums have been awarded licences to run two plant hire centres on the Olympic site in a bid to improve efficiency among contractors in the build-up to the 2012 games

The consortiums selected by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are made up of 12 firms.

Ashtead Plant Hire will lead one group, in partnership with Aggreko, DHL, Greenshields JCB, Hilti, HSS Hire, LJG and Screwfix.

The second licence has been awarded to Constructions Site Solutions, a limited liability partnership comprising Speedy Hire, Lavendon, BSS Group and Hewden Stuart.

The ODA said the centres, which will hire out equipment such as cranes, dumpers and excavators, would reduce the number and length of journeys for firms working on the east London site.

It said: 鈥淐ontractors will no longer have to leave the site to collect and return hired tools and equipment. The efficiency of contractors will also be improved.鈥�

It will not be compulsory for firms working on Olympic venues to use the resource.

鈥� Construction of the Olympic velodrome began this week. The 6,000-seat venue, designed by Hopkins Architects, is being built by ISG. It will host the indoor cycling track events during the Games and become an athletics and community centre after 2012.