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Golden opportunity for London's Olympic waterways

16th Nov 2011

The River Lee and east London waterways are at the heart of plans for the area to be reborn as a ‘water city’, like Amsterdam, Venice or Copenhagen, as part of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

As London’s second waterway, the River Lee has spent many years in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, the River Thames, but in 2012, the River Lee and its tributaries will take centre stage at the heart of the Olympic Park. Plans launched today by British Waterways and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation aim to encourage developers to use the canals and rivers of the Lower Lea Valley as a key feature in rejuvenating the area.

Recognising the value of the river

Mark Blackwell, British Waterways’ enterprise manager, said: “The Lower Lea Valley is made up of a number of very distinct areas, each with their own character. This includes the landmark historic buildings at Three Mills in Bromley-by-Bow, the open spaces of Hackney Marshes and the tidal waterfront of Leamouth. We have set out this plan to help developers, businesses and local authorities recognise the value of these character areas and to demonstrate the value of interacting with the water, animating and acknowledging the river.”

Harald Muller, business development manager for Inter-IKEA, said: “Our Strand East development is on a 10 hectare site, bordered on two sides by the Three Mills Wall River and the River Lea waterways. The character provided by the revitalised waterways and the listed Mills afford us an opportunity to deliver something very special for the area. "

The Lower Lea Valley Waterspace Strategy has been developed by Peter Brett Associates and LDA Design for British Waterways and London Thames Gateway Development Corporation. Input into the strategy was given from regional and national agencies, including the Olympic Park Legacy Company, as well as businesses and developers such as Westfield Shoppingtowns Limited and Southern Housing.

Last updated: 17/11/2011

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