London Docklands

Redevelopment scheme – East End of London Along the River Thames Southwark to North Woolwich North Woolwich Southwark

Why was it necessary to re- develop the London Docklands? Decline in port functions and industry this lead to closure and they had to move the deepwater port to Tilbury. Between 1971 and 1981 the population around the docklands declined by 14.9%. This was mainly down to a increase in counter-urbanisation. The majority of people live in tower blocks and don’t have gardens. New schools and hospitals needed in the area. Most people who work in the area don’t actually live there but have to commute from other areas, so this means that there is a lot of traffic congestion around the area. The cost of renting land for business was quite high.

LDDC’s Re-development Scheme They spent £72 million on improving the environment by planting trees and creating wildlife parks. For example a bird sanctuary was built in the East India docks. LDDC spent £8 million on social infrastructure by building sports leisure centres etc. The LDDC trained locals in business skills which are needed the large modern companies of today. They increased accessibility by building more transport systems like the Jubilee line and the Stoleport. They attracted companies to the area by making the rent free for ten years.

Impacts of LDDC Re- development scheme Increased amount of owner occupied houses by 39% by 1996 after 15 years of the scheme. They increased the amount of people employed at the docklands by 42,210. Social divides occurred because the scheme was aimed to attract richer people to the area and did not really provide for the locals who already lived there. Only 5700 local authority homes were improved. Luxury apartments costing prises into the millions were built these obviously could not be brought by the majority of locals who earned no where near enough money.

The People’s Views Lil Patrick lives nearby and is against the LDDC’s plans. She thinks that they need new schools and hospitals because they shut down the old hospital and opened a private one. A young mother said that the money should be spent on us and not attracting business to the area. I live in a flat and I need a garden for my child. On a wall there was some graffiti that illustrates the feelings of the community. “This is Bermondsey not Mayfair.” One woman said that the Stoleport would attract business and it would be good to watch the Dash sevens come in.

Fin