Cody Dock in 2010 behind the fence – the end of the riverside walk along Bow Creek (part of 360 panorama)
One walk in London that you can’t make at the moment is alongside Bow Creek all the way from Bow Locks to the mouth at the River Thames. There are parts of it open to the public, other parts built as public walks in the last millennium that have still to be opened to the public and bits where there is no public access. But a key to opening a walk that would enable you to go from Bow Locks to the Thames is the Cody Dock project of the Gasworks Dock Partnership.
Cody Dock is the former dock to one of the largest of London’s Victorian gas works, and a group of enthusiasts has been busy for several years transforming it into marina, making it the centre of a ‘community hub filled with creative studios, workshops and social enterprises’. This isn’t some huge commercial development being imposed on the area, but a project run by a small group that has already performed a task most thought impossible in getting support and permissions and clearing the site and making it available for community use. As you can see from there web page they are already organising some exciting events at the dock, which is a short walk from Star Lane DLR station.
Cody Dock cleared in April 2012. The dock mouth is still blocked – once cleared a new bridge is needed
They need money, largely to build a new wooden footbridge across the dock mouth that will carry the extended footpath and link to the existing riverside path. Here’s the introduction to their current ‘Spacehive’ appeal:
Cody Dock sits in between London’s new cable car, Canary Wharf and the Olympic Park, built in the 1870s, it slipped through the cracks of east London’s regeneration, lying abandoned and sealed off for decades.
It’s the last barrier blocking people from walking the length of the Lea River.
This project will fund the construction of the new pedestrian bridge – the missing piece in the jigsaw that will enable us take down the gates and open up the dock for everyone to enjoy this lovely section of London’s second river.
At a stroke, we’ll be removing one of the final obstacles in a continuous 26-mile riverside walk, running all the way from Hertfordshire to the Thames.
Eventually, our vision is for the dock to become a thriving community hub filled with creative studios, workshops and social enterprises, all set around a new marina for canal boats and beautiful gardens.
It will be a truly special and unique place – a people-powered regeneration project.
Cody Dock cleared in July 2012.
There are more details on the Spacehive page Unlock London’s secret dock, and they need £79,142. So far 89 donors have together pledged £18,524 and there are only 18 days to go until the project ends on Aug 2nd – and the donors are only charged if the full amount is raised.
They say:
This inspiring project has already drawn the attention of national media and supporters includes the actor David Suchet, public artist Richard Wilson, Lord Andrew Mawson and the local born Billy Bragg. Do join them!
Bow Creek in Feb 2010.
You can see more of my pictures from the area in 2010 in Bow and The Fatwalk, where you can also see the full 360 degree panorama of the end of the footpath of which the image at the top of this post is a small selection. More of Cody Dock at Gasworks Dock Revived, and just a few pictures from a very brief visit at the end of one of their open days at Cody Dock Open Day.
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My London Diary : Buildings of London : River Lea/Lee Valley : London’s Industrial Heritage
All photographs on this and my other sites, unless otherwise stated are by Peter Marshall and are available for reproduction or can be bought as prints.
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