LONDON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- A U.S. engineer has quit as head of the British Olympic Delivery Authority because of frustration over delays in toxic cleanup, The Times of London reported.
Jack Lemley denied claims by London Mayor Ken Livingstone that his health was behind his resignation. Livingstone said Lemley left after undergoing major heart surgery.
Lemley told the Times that he was upset that cleanup had not started on the 757-acre site of the London Olympic Park. The land could contain unexploded bombs from World War II in addition to toxic contaminants.
The cleanup had been scheduled to begin in June, but contractors now do not expect to start until next year. They have been performing preliminary work.
A spokesman said Lemley has returned to his home in Boise, Idaho.
"He was deeply concerned about the budget -- he has seen the consultants' reports -- and lack of progress, particularly regarding remediation of the site," the spokesman said. "He strongly believes that there is not enough knowledge of the contamination and potential hazards buried there and what it will take to remediate it."
