Royal Docks

Key Features

This route starts at (A) Pontoon Dock.

- - Leaving the DLR station, turn right along North Woolwich Road towards the roundabout, underneath the viaduct for 350m.
  - At the roundabout, continue straight on following North Woolwich Road, as the viaduct turns away from you.
(B) Connaught Riverside/UNEX/Thames Road
- - As you walk along North Woolwich Road past the Brick Lane music hall, the right hand side of the street is planned as new development.
  - North Woolwich Road becomes Factory Road with a kink in the road.
  - Look for the pedestrian bridge over the Elizabeth line tracks. Cross over the railway.
(C) Connaught Road
- - Turn right onto Connaught Road, which becomes Albert Road, walking for about 120m.
  - Turn left onto Wythes Rd, the Tate Institute is the building on the corner of Wythes Road and Albert Road
(D) Tate Institute
- - Head back to Albert Road. Head east on Albert Road for about 600m until Fernhill Street.
(E) Over the Tracks project
- - Head back to Albert Road, and continue walking east for about 60m until you come to the RDLAC and the community garden
(F) Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre (RDLAC)
- - Head back to Albert Road, and continue walking east towards North Woolwich for about 300 metres. At the junction of Pier Road and Albert Road, turn left towards the local centre.
(G) Pier Parade Shops (North Woolwich Local Centre):
- - Retrace your steps to the Pier Road and Albert Road junction, but now continue straight on for about 120 metres – on Pier Road.
(H) Old North Woolwich station
- - Crossing Pier Road will allow a better look at the station and easier access into Royal Victoria Gardens.
(I) Royal Victoria Gardens
- - Explore the park, before heading north back to Albert Road on the edge of the park. Turn right, walking away from North Woolwich.
  - Follow the road for about a kilometre, over two bridges that take you over the docks with a view of the airport on the left.
  - After passing under the DLR viaduct, you will come to a large roundabout. Take the right hand fork (Atlantis Ave) walking underneath the viaduct again and passing by Gallions Reach DLR.
  - Walk along Atlantis Ave, turning right at Gallions Road. Walk down the road until you meet the Dock, before exploring the Royal Albert Wharf neighbourhood.
(J) Royal Albert Wharf:
- - Retrace your steps to get to Gallions Reach DLR station

Activity

Follow the guided walking tour – using the map and map links below.

As you are walking have a think about the following questions:

Who do you think uses the facilities (shops, local services, parks, playgrounds, schools, health centres, etc.)?
How do you think most people travel here?
What are most people doing in this area?
Would this area meet all your basic needs?
What health services have you seen on this tour? What health services do you think local residents should be able to access in Royal Docks/North Woolwich?
What makes this a pleasant place to be?
What makes it unpleasant or harder to use?
Have you been here before? Would you come again? Why or why not?

At each of the destinations, have a think about the following questions:

(A) Pontoon Dock
- - What does this new neighbourhood feel like? What do you think of these new developments?
North Woolwich Road
- - Who does this road feel like it is for? How safe do you feel as a pedestrian?
(B) Connaught Riverside/UNEX/Thames Road Strategic Site – this area is proposed for new mixed use development.
- - What do you think of the area at present? What is needed to that development can co-exist with heavy industry at Tate & Lyle? How could this development contribute towards creating 15 minute neighbourhoods in the docks?
Bridge over the Elizabeth line tracks
- - Does this feel like a barrier? How could this connection be improved?
(C) Connaught Road
- - Who does this road feel like it is for? How safe do you feel as a pedestrian?
(D) Tate Institute, historic social hub serving Tate and Lyle factory workers (Levelling up Fund Project)
- - How do you think this building should serve the community?
(E) Over the Tracks project – a meanwhile project (Levelling up Fund Project): the first phase will be the relocation of a foodbank but we will be co-designing future uses on the site with local residents.
- - What activity would you like to see take place here? What do you think this land should be used for?
(F) Royal Docks Learning and Activity Centre (RDLAC): A point of interest on the tour.
- - What community and activity centres do you have near where you live? Are they important to you?
(G) Pier Parade Shops (North Woolwich Local Centre)
- What other services, shops and facilities would you like to see here?
(H) Old North Woolwich station
- What are your thoughts on the importance of historic buildings, such as this one? Do you feel they contribute to this neighbourhood?
(I) Royal Victoria Gardens
- - What do you like about this park? What don’t you like about this park? Any thoughts on the developments taking place nearby?
Albert Road
- - Does this road feel safe as a pedestrian? What improvements could be made to it?
(J) Royal Albert Wharf
- - Does this new development feel like a neighbourhood? What makes it feel like a neighbourhood? What is missing?

Getting There

Start: Pontoon Dock DLR Station or buses 474 or 473 (on Connaught Bridge)

End: Royal Albert Wharf Development. Gallions Reach DLR Station or buses 101, 262, 366

Background Information

Why This Location?

This area used to be home to lots of people that worked on the Docks and lots of the land surrounding it supported this industry. The historic infrastructure and block layout was all designed to serve industry. The Docks closed to commercial traffic in the 1970 and early 1980s. Some people left the area and others stayed. Since then some industrial uses have stayed, others have moved in and housing has been built and continues to be.

The area around the Docks and up the rivers Lea and Roding are one of London’s biggest Opportunity Areas and a large amount of new homes and workspaces are anticipated to be delivered here. The Royal Albert Wharf development is one such example.

Changing neighbourhoods around the Docks need to balance the requirements of existing industrial uses and businesses, and residents, while welcoming new residents. Through this tour you will visit a range of different interventions, big and small, some delivered and some proposed, to land uses and transport to try to achieve this balance. What do you think is needed in these neighbourhoods, so that it can make a good 15 minute neighbourhood?

In addition, this part of the Docks are unique because they are sandwiched between the River Thames and the Royal Docks and the communities here have felt as if they are living on an “island” separated by water from the rest of Newham. How does this separation need to be addressed to deliver 15 minute neighbourhoods in this area?

Presentations and Further Information

Royal Docks Tour.pdf

Download the PDF

Click on the PDF and download a copy to your phone, or print a copy to take with you for the tour.

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