Waterway projects in the Lower Lea Valley

British Waterways is working with a number of partners in the Lower Lea Valley to improve the canals and rivers for people and wildlife. The projects will encourage greater use of the River Lee Navigation in the build up to and during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as in Legacy.

Proposed projects include a new riverside walkway at the A11 in Bow and towpath upgrades, improving access for walkers and cyclists to the area, a water bus/taxi service linking Limehouse, Three Mills, Old Ford and the restoration of Three Mills House Mill.

You can find out more about some of these projects below. If you would like more information on any of these activities please contact British Waterways' regeneration manager for the Lower Lea Valley, Mark Blackwell on 020 7985 7207 or email mark.blackwell@britishwaterways.co.uk

The riverside walkway at the A11 in Bow

This project involves the construction of a new suspended path on the River Lee Navigation under this busy road intersection. With the addition of a new bridge over the river, the scheme will mean walkers and cyclists will no longer have to use the dangerous road-crossing at Bow flyover, as well as providing a 28-mile traffic free waterside route from the River Thames all the way to Ware and Hertford. It will also improve links to and from the emerging new developments at Bromley-by-Bow, the Olympic Park and Sugar House Lane.

Beginning in February the five-month construction phase should be completed in the summer of 2011. During this time there will be disruption to navigation, so an alternative route has been identified for boats via the Hertford Union and Regent's Canal. Those traveling on foot, by bicycle or on road should not be affected.

The principal funder of this collaborative project is London Thames Gateway Development Corporation with additional funding contributions from British Waterways, Olympic Delivery Authority, Transport for London, Design for London and Walk London. It builds on the initial feasibility and concept work undertaken by British Waterways and Leaside Regeneration more than five years ago after a similar successful scheme was built on the Limehouse Cut. The scheme is being delivered by British Waterways and its contractor May Gurney working alongside designers Adams & Sutherland and Halcrow.

Keep up-to-date on the progress of this project - sign up to British Waterways' Bow riverside improvements e-bulletin.

The Olympic waterbus

British Waterways, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and the Olympic Delivery Authority are jointly funding the infrastructure for East London's first waterbus route. During summer 2012 the waterbus will run between Limehouse Basin and Old Ford Lock where spectators can access the western entrance to the Olympic Park. The waterbuses will cover the route in 35 minutes at a top speed of four miles per hour. Prior to the Games and in Legacy, the water-bus will also stop at Three Mills for those wishing to explore the 18th Century House Mill, Three Mills Green or simply visit the local amenities around Bromley-by-Bow.

The first barge of the fleet that will operate this route will be arriving in Limehouse Basin during spring/summer 2011. The Olympic water-bus service is a privately operated business, known as Water Chariots. For more information visit www.water-chariots.co.uk.

Lower Lea Valley Waterspace Strategy

The canals and rivers within the Lower Lea Valley are a rich leisure, tourism, heritage and ecological resource enjoyed by millions of people each year.  The area will be transformed in the coming years.  The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will provide a global spotlight and some waterway remediation within the Olympic Park and its immediate environs.  However the economic regeneration drivers such as Crossrail, Stratford City and the transformation of local places to live and work such as Canning Town, Fish Island, Sugar House Lane, Three Mills and Bromley by Bow will provide the impetus and resource to extend this waterway transformation across the rest of the Lower Lea Valley.

These wide ranging improvements will stimulate and kick-start commercial opportunities and tourism and leisure activities in and around East London’s waterways. This study, which was produced for British Waterways and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation by Peter Brett Associates and LDA Design, explores the opportunities to incorporate the waterways of the Lower Lea Valley into the investment strategies of commercial enterprises, community stakeholders, planners and investors.

A low resolution copy can be downloaded from this page.  A higher definition, printable version is available.