Months after it was announced, work is finally underway on building a slide around the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

Visitors to the sculpture in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will not be able to access the lower platform or the external staircase during construction.

However, the upper viewing platform and the external balconies will be open as normal.

The new addition, expected to open this year, will provide adrenaline junkies with an 80m descent that circles Sir Anish Kapoor’s steel structure five times.

Speaking when planning permission was granted in July, Peter Tudor, director of visitor services, said: “What more exciting way to descend the ArcelorMittal Orbit than on the world’s longest and tallest tunnel slide?

“This slide really will give a different perspective of Britain’s tallest sculpture.”

The price for a ride on the slide has not been announced but is expected to be around £5.