Docklands, E1

Docklands is the semi-official name for an area in the east of London, England, comprising parts of several boroughs (Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich) in Greater London. The eponymous docks were formerly part of the Port of London, at one time the world's largest port. They have now been redeveloped principally for commercial and residential use. The name London Docklands was used for the first time in a government report on redevelopment plans in 1971 but has since become virtually universally adopted.

London's Docklands comprise a number of former dockyard complexes along the Thames, which are (from west to east):

St Katharine Docks (Wapping)
London Docks (Wapping)
Regent's Canal Dock (now Limehouse Basin, Limehouse)
Surrey Commercial Docks (now Surrey Quays, Rotherhithe)
West India Docks and Millwall Dock (Isle of Dogs)
East India Docks (Canning Town)
Royal Docks (Royal Victoria Dock, Royal Albert Dock & King George V Dock)
Another dockyard exists much further downstream at Tilbury, but this is not generally regarded as part of the Docklands.

The area referred to as the Docklands, which mostly lies on the north bank of the Thames, comprises chiefly of the former properties of the Port of London. It does not comprise the whole of the former riverside port. Many other wharves and quays are located along the lower Thames, though only a few (mostly in Greenwich) are still used for their original purpose. These are not generally regarded as being part of the Docklands.

Over the past 20 years, the population of the Docklands has more than doubled and the area has become both a major business centre and an increasingly acceptable area to live. Transport links have improved significantly, with the Isle of Dogs gaining a tube connection via the Jubilee Line Extension (opened 1999) and the DLR being extended to Beckton, Lewisham, London City Airport, North Woolwich and Stratford. Canary Wharf has become one of Europe's biggest clusters of skyscrapers and a direct challenge to the financial dominance of the City. Further east, the Royal Docks are finally being regenerated most prominently symbolised the ExCeL Exhibition Centre.

Although most of the old Dockland wharves and warehouses have been demolished, some have been restored and converted into flats. Most of the docks themselves have survived and are now used as marinas or watersports centres (the major exception being the Surrey Commercial Docks, now largely filled in). Although large ships can - and occasionally still do - visit the old docks, all of the commercial traffic has moved down-river to Tilbury.

The revival of the Docklands has had major effects in run-down surrounding areas. Greenwich and Deptford are undergoing large-scale redevelopment, chiefly as a result of the improved transport links making them more attractive to commuters.

The Docklands' redevelopment has, however, had some less beneficial aspects. The massive property boom and consequent rise in house prices has led to friction between the new arrivals and the old Docklands communities, who have complained of being squeezed out. It has also made for some of the most striking disparities to be seen anywhere in Britain: luxury executive flats constructed alongside run-down public housing estates.

Useful Links:
Dockland.co.uk
ExCeL London
Docklands History
LDDC
London Docklands on Wikipedia
East London

Public transport links in Docklands, E1

Real estate agents in Docklands, E1

Properties listed on eleflat.co.uk

(4) Docklands, E1
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