North East (London sub region)
Encyclopedia
The North East is a sub-region of the London Plan
corresponding to the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets
, Newham
, Waltham Forest
, Redbridge
, Havering
, Barking and Dagenham
, and the City of London
. The sub region was established in 2008 and replaced the larger East sub region that had been established in 2004. The north east has a population of 1.4 million and is the location of 900,000 jobs. It is an area that has undergone extensive regeneration as part of the London Docklands and continues as part of the Thames Gateway
. It will be the location of the 2012 Summer Olympics
. A substantial increase in population is expected in the area.
and Ilford
; with major centres at Walthamstow
, Stratford
, Canary Wharf
, East Ham
and Barking
. Large swathes of the south and west of the sub region are planned for regeneration as part of the Thames Gateway
project. Opportunity areas are designated at the City Fringe, Canary Wharf, Lower Lea Valley including Stratford, the Royal Docks, Ilford and London Riverside
. A total opportunity area of 5,836 hectares.
, officially became part of London with the creation of the County of London
in 1888. The eastern limit of London at this time became the River Lea which was the traditional boundary between Middlesex and Essex
.
Because the strict planning laws of London were not in force on the eastern side of the river the area began to industrialise quickly in places such as Canning Town
and Silvertown
, now in the borough of Newham. This area became known as 'London over the Border'. In 1965 the boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering were incorporated into Greater London
. As a legacy of not being in the original County of London, Newham receives less funding, than for example Tower Hamlets, and is campaigning to be officially recognised as an Inner London
borough.
, with a rising population. The redevelopment of the Docklands area began in the early 1980s, and the Thames Gateway
project is now extending regeneration further east, with the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
responsible for planning and delivery of the project in East London. London's successful bid to host the Olympics has kick-started regeneration programmes in the area, and is likely to have an impact on house prices.
and the Great Eastern Main Line
, part of a large network of suburban National Rail
routes operated by National Express East Anglia and c2c
; and the London Underground
services of the Central Line
, District Line
, Hammersmith and City Line, and Docklands Light Railway
(DLR).
Northeast London has seen considerable improvement with transport in recent years and is the focus for further development over the years leading up to the Olympics and beyond:
London Plan
The London Plan is a planning document written by the Mayor of London, England in the United Kingdom and published by the Greater London Authority. The plan was first published in final form on 10 February 2004 and has since been amended. The current version was published in February 2008...
corresponding to the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
The London Borough of Tower Hamlets is a London borough to the east of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It is in the eastern part of London and covers much of the traditional East End. It also includes much of the redeveloped Docklands region of London, including West India Docks...
, Newham
London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...
, Waltham Forest
London Borough of Waltham Forest
The London Borough of Waltham Forest is in northeast London, England. Officially, it forms part of Outer London as it borders Essex. However, it can be seen that the NE London boundary does not extend far compared to elsewhere in the city...
, Redbridge
London Borough of Redbridge
The London Borough of Redbridge is a London borough in outer north-east London. Its administrative headquarters is at Redbridge Town Hall in Ilford. The local authority is Redbridge London Borough Council.-Etymology:...
, Havering
London Borough of Havering
The London Borough of Havering is a London borough in North East London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in Havering is Romford and the other main communities are Hornchurch, Upminster and Rainham. The borough is mainly characterised by suburban development with large...
, Barking and Dagenham
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
In 1801, the civil parishes that form the modern borough had a total population of 1,937; and the area was characterised by farming, woodland and the fishing fleet at Barking. This last industry employed 1,370 men and boys by 1850, but by the end of the century had ceased to exist; replaced by...
, and the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. The sub region was established in 2008 and replaced the larger East sub region that had been established in 2004. The north east has a population of 1.4 million and is the location of 900,000 jobs. It is an area that has undergone extensive regeneration as part of the London Docklands and continues as part of the Thames Gateway
Thames Gateway
The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching east from inner east London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. The area, which includes much brownfield land, has been designated a national priority for urban regeneration, taking advantage of the development opportunities...
. It will be the location of the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
. A substantial increase in population is expected in the area.
Settlement
There are two metropolitan centres in the sub region, at RomfordRomford
Romford is a large suburban town in north east London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Havering. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan...
and Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
; with major centres at Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
, Stratford
Stratford, London
Stratford is a place in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb...
, Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is a major business district located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of London's two main financial centres, alongside the traditional City of London, and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest , One Canada Square...
, East Ham
East Ham
East Ham is a suburban district of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Newham. It is a built-up district located 8 miles east-northeast of Charing Cross...
and Barking
Barking
Barking is a suburban town in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, in East London, England. A retail and commercial centre situated in the west of the borough, it lies east of Charing Cross. Barking was in the historic county of Essex until it was absorbed by Greater London. The area is...
. Large swathes of the south and west of the sub region are planned for regeneration as part of the Thames Gateway
Thames Gateway
The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching east from inner east London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. The area, which includes much brownfield land, has been designated a national priority for urban regeneration, taking advantage of the development opportunities...
project. Opportunity areas are designated at the City Fringe, Canary Wharf, Lower Lea Valley including Stratford, the Royal Docks, Ilford and London Riverside
London Riverside
The London Riverside is a new development area in north east London, England and part of the larger Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. The London Riverside area forms part of the Green Enterprise District, a project to create a low-carbon economy region in Greater London.It is one of two zones...
. A total opportunity area of 5,836 hectares.
| Metropolitan centres are yellow, major centres pink |
History
The oldest parts of the sub-region are Tower Hamlets and Hackney. These areas, originally in MiddlesexMiddlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
, officially became part of London with the creation of the County of London
County of London
The County of London was a county of England from 1889 to 1965, corresponding to the area known today as Inner London. It was created as part of the general introduction of elected county government in England, by way of the Local Government Act 1888. The Act created an administrative County of...
in 1888. The eastern limit of London at this time became the River Lea which was the traditional boundary between Middlesex and Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
.
Because the strict planning laws of London were not in force on the eastern side of the river the area began to industrialise quickly in places such as Canning Town
Canning Town
Canning Town is an area of east London, England. It is part of the London Borough of Newham and is situated in the area of the former London docks on the north side of the River Thames. It is the location of Rathbone Market...
and Silvertown
Silvertown
Silvertown is an industrialised district on the north bank of the Thames in the London Borough of Newham. It was named after Samuel Winkworth Silver's former rubber factory which opened in 1852, and is now dominated by the Tate & Lyle sugar refinery and the John Knight ABP animal rendering...
, now in the borough of Newham. This area became known as 'London over the Border'. In 1965 the boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering were incorporated into Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
. As a legacy of not being in the original County of London, Newham receives less funding, than for example Tower Hamlets, and is campaigning to be officially recognised as an Inner London
Inner London
Inner London is the name for the group of London boroughs which form the interior part of Greater London and are surrounded by Outer London. The area was first officially defined in 1965 and for purposes such as statistics, the definition has changed over time. The terms Inner London and Central...
borough.
Changing face of the region
Northeast London is today an area of regenerationUrban renewal
Urban renewal is a program of land redevelopment in areas of moderate to high density urban land use. Renewal has had both successes and failures. Its modern incarnation began in the late 19th century in developed nations and experienced an intense phase in the late 1940s – under the rubric of...
, with a rising population. The redevelopment of the Docklands area began in the early 1980s, and the Thames Gateway
Thames Gateway
The Thames Gateway is an area of land stretching east from inner east London on both sides of the River Thames and the Thames Estuary. The area, which includes much brownfield land, has been designated a national priority for urban regeneration, taking advantage of the development opportunities...
project is now extending regeneration further east, with the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
The London Thames Gateway Development Corporation is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Communities and Local Government, with directors appointed by the Secretary of State, including some democratically elected councillors...
responsible for planning and delivery of the project in East London. London's successful bid to host the Olympics has kick-started regeneration programmes in the area, and is likely to have an impact on house prices.
Transport
Existing transport routes in the area are the A12 and A13 roads, the London, Tilbury and Southend RailwayLondon, Tilbury and Southend Railway
The London, Tilbury and Southend Railway is an English railway line linking Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London with northeast London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway area of southern Essex. It is currently known as the Essex Thameside Route by Network Rail...
and the Great Eastern Main Line
Great Eastern Main Line
The Great Eastern Main Line is a 212 Kilometre major railway line of the British railway system, which connects Liverpool Street in the City of London with destinations in east London and the East of England, including Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and several coastal resorts such as...
, part of a large network of suburban National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
routes operated by National Express East Anglia and c2c
C2c
c2c is a British train operating company that is part of the National Express Group. It provides passenger rail services on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway line from Fenchurch Street railway station in the City of London to east London and the entire length of the northern Thames Gateway...
; and the London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
services of the Central Line
Central Line
The Central line is a London Underground line, coloured red on the tube map. It is a deep-level "tube" line, running east-west across London, and, at , has the greatest total length of track of any line on the Underground. Of the 49 stations served, 20 are below ground...
, District Line
District Line
The District line is a line of the London Underground, coloured green on the Tube map. It is a "sub-surface" line, running through the central area in shallow cut-and-cover tunnels. It is the busiest of the sub-surface lines. Out of the 60 stations served, 25 are underground...
, Hammersmith and City Line, and Docklands Light Railway
Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated light metro or light rail system opened on 31 August 1987 to serve the redeveloped Docklands area of London...
(DLR).
Northeast London has seen considerable improvement with transport in recent years and is the focus for further development over the years leading up to the Olympics and beyond:
- The A12 and A13 have been upgraded.
- A new extension to the DLR to connect with London City AirportLondon City AirportLondon City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
opened in December 2005, while work on an extension under the Thames to connect with WoolwichWoolwichWoolwich is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Greenwich. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.Woolwich formed part of Kent until 1889 when the County of London was created...
has been completed. Further DLR projects include an extension to Barking Reach and Dagenham DockDocklands Light Railway extension to Dagenham DockThe Docklands Light Railway extension to Dagenham Dock is a proposed, and as yet unfunded, extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Dagenham Dock in east London. It was anticipated that the project could be completed and open for use by 2017. However the public inquiry has been postponed due to...
, and a direct route to connect with Stratford International station, via West Ham, where High Speed 1 will serve the heart of Stratford CityStratford CityWestfield Stratford City is a shopping centre in Stratford, London, owned by the Westfield Group. The centre opened on 13 September 2011. With a total retail floor area of , it is one of the largest urban shopping centres in Europe. It is the 3rd largest shopping centre in the United Kingdom by...
. - Further connecting the sub-region with the rest of London, an east-west rail route known as CrossrailCrossrailCrossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
is currently under construction. - The East London TransitEast London TransitEast London Transit is a part-segregated bus rapid transit whose first phase opened in 2010, with an additional phase planned to open in 2013. The scheme has been developed by Transport for London due to the existing and anticipated demand for public transport in northeast London caused by the...
, a part-segregated bus rapid transitBus rapid transitBus rapid transit is a term applied to a variety of public transportation systems using buses to provide faster, more efficient service than an ordinary bus line. Often this is achieved by making improvements to existing infrastructure, vehicles and scheduling...
, had its first phase open in 2010, and an additional phase is planned to open in 2013.
Places of interest
- Art: The DiverThe DiverThe Diver is a sculpture by John Kaufman located in the River Thames at Rainham, east London and is the only sculpture standing in the River Thames...
, Whitechapel GalleryWhitechapel GalleryThe Whitechapel Gallery is a public art gallery on the north side of Whitechapel High Street, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Designed by Charles Harrison Townsend, it was founded in 1901 as one of the first publicly-funded galleries for temporary exhibitions in London, and it has a long... - Buildings and structures: Canary WharfCanary WharfCanary Wharf is a major business district located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of London's two main financial centres, alongside the traditional City of London, and contains many of the UK's tallest buildings, including the second-tallest , One Canada Square...
, Dagenham wind turbinesDagenham wind turbinesThe Dagenham wind turbines are two 85 m high Enercon E-70 wind turbines located on the Dagenham estate of the Ford Motor Company in east London, England. The turbines were completed in April 2004...
, ExCeL Exhibition CentreExCeL Exhibition CentreExCeL London is an exhibitions and conference centre in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located on a site on the northern quay of the Royal Victoria Dock in London Docklands, between Canary Wharf and London City Airport.- History :The centre was built by Sir Robert McAlpine, opened...
, Limehouse Town HallLimehouse Town HallLimehouse Town Hall is a former town hall building on Commercial Road, in Limehouse, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.-History:Limehouse Town Hall was built in 1879, designed by A. & C. Harston, as the vestry hall of the Limehouse District. The building consists of a number of offices, below...
, London City AirportLondon City AirportLondon City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
, Thames BarrierThames BarrierThe Thames Barrier is the world's second-largest movable flood barrier and is located downstream of central London. Its purpose is to prevent London from being flooded by exceptionally high tides and storm surges moving up from the sea...
, Pioneer Point - Education: University of East LondonUniversity of East LondonThe University of East London is a university located in the London Borough of Newham, East London, England, based at two campuses in Stratford and Docklands areas...
, Queen Mary, University of LondonQueen Mary, University of LondonQueen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London... - Markets: BillingsgateBillingsgate Fish MarketSituated in East London, Billingsgate Fish Market is the United Kingdom's largest inland fish market. It takes its name from Billingsgate, a ward in the south-east of the City of London, where the riverside market was originally established...
, Brick LaneBrick Lane MarketBrick Lane Market is a London market centred around Brick Lane, Tower Hamlets. It is located at the northern end of Brick Lane and along Cheshire Street in east London. It operates every Sunday from around 8am to 2pm....
, Columbia RoadColumbia Road marketColumbia Road Flower Market is one of many markets in Central London; a street flower market, it is located in East London. Columbia Road is a road of Victorian shops off the Hackney Road in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets...
, New SpitalfieldsNew Spitalfields MarketNew Spitalfields Market is located in a site in Leyton, London Borough of Waltham Forest in east London which opened in 1991. It is Europe's leading horticultural market specialising in exotic fruit and vegetables.... - Museums: London Gas MuseumLondon Gas MuseumThe London Gas Museum was a museum in the London Borough of Newham in east London, England.It was situated on Twelvetrees Crescent, on the eastern side of the River Lea and near to Bromley-by-Bow tube station...
, Museum in DocklandsMuseum in DocklandsThe Museum of London Docklands is a museum on the Isle of Dogs, east London that tells the history of London's River Thames and Docklands...
, North Woolwich Old Station MuseumNorth Woolwich Old Station MuseumThe North Woolwich Old Station Museum was a small railway museum in East London. It was housed in what was the original Great Eastern Railway terminal station building at North Woolwich railway station. The building was in use as a ticket office until 1979 when it was replaced by a more austere...
, Upminster Tithe BarnUpminster Tithe Barn Museum of NostalgiaThe Upminster Tithe Barn Museum of Nostalgia is a small museum located in Upminster in the London Borough of Havering, London, England. It is located at OS grid reference TQ564877....
, Upminster WindmillUpminster WindmillUpminster Windmill is a Grade II* listed smock mill located in Upminster in the London Borough of Havering, England. It was originally known as Abraham's Mill and was in Essex when built...
, V&A Museum of ChildhoodV&A Museum of ChildhoodThe V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green in the East End of London is a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum , which is the United Kingdom's national museum of applied arts.-History:...
, Ragged School MuseumRagged School MuseumThe Ragged School Museum is a museum in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. The museum was opened in 1990, in the premises of the former Dr Barnardo's Copperfield Road Ragged School. The school opened in 1877 to serve the children of Mile End with a basic education...
, Walthamstow Pump House MuseumWalthamstow Pump House MuseumThe Pump House Steam and Transport Museum is a museum in Walthamstow focusing on the pioneering achievements in road, rail, air and sea transport in the River Lea valley from the early 19th century...
, Vestry House MuseumVestry House MuseumVestry House Museum is the local history museum for the London Borough of Waltham Forest, and stands within the village of Church End, Walthamstow...
, William Morris GalleryWilliam Morris GalleryThe William Morris Gallery, opened by Prime Minister Clement Attlee in 1950, is the only public museum devoted to English Arts and Crafts, designer William Morris...
. - Open spaces: Barking AbbeyBarking AbbeyThe ruined remains of Barking Abbey are situated in Barking in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in east London, England, and now form a public open space.- History :...
, LangtonsLangtonsLangtons is a grade II listed 18th-century house and gardens open to the public situated in Hornchurch in the London Borough of Havering, east London....
, Lower Lea ValleyLower Lea ValleyThe Lower Lea Valley is the southern end of the Lea Valley, surrounding the River Lea , which runs along the boundary of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on its western bank and the London Boroughs of Waltham Forest and Newham on its eastern bank, into the River Thames. The river forms the...
and Lee Valley ParkLee Valley ParkLee Valley Regional Park is a long linear park, much of it green spaces, running through the northeast of London, Essex and Hertfordshire from the River Thames to Ware in Hertfordshire, England through areas such as Hackney, Tottenham, Enfield, Stratford, Tower Hamlets, Walthamstow, Cheshunt,...
, Thames ChaseThames ChaseThames Chase is a community forest of 9842 hectares located in 47 sites in London and Essex, England. Its stated aim is...to renew and regenerate the landscape at the edge of East London and South Essex by creating Thames Chase, the Community Forest: a varied wooded landscape for local people to...
, Victoria ParkVictoria Park, East LondonVictoria Park is 86.18 hectares of open space that stretches out across part of the East End of London, England bordering parts of Bethnal Green, Hackney, and Bow, such as along Old Ford Road, London E3 and Victoria Park Road E9. The park is entirely within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets...
, Epping ForestEpping ForestEpping Forest is an area of ancient woodland in south-east England, straddling the border between north-east Greater London and Essex. It is a former royal forest, and is managed by the City of London Corporation....
, Mile End ParkMile End ParkMile End Park is a park located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a linear park of some , and was created on industrial land devastated by World War II bombing...
, Wanstead ParkWanstead ParkWanstead Park is the name of a grade II listed municipal park covering an area of about 140 acres , located in Wanstead, in the London Borough of Redbridge, historically within the county of Essex...
, Valentines ParkValentines ParkValentines Park is, at , the largest green space in the London Borough of Redbridge, between Ilford and Gants Hill. It was acquired in various purchases and gifts of land, starting in 1898 and culminating in the 1920s... - Sports venues: Boleyn GroundBoleyn GroundThe Boleyn Ground, more commonly referred to as Upton Park due to its location in Upton Park, London is the football stadium of West Ham United.-History:...
, Romford Greyhound StadiumRomford Greyhound StadiumRomford Greyhound Stadium is a dog track located in Romford in the London Borough of Havering in east London which is owned by the Gala Coral Group. The stadium has a capacity for over 4,300 people....
, Romford Ice ArenaRomford Ice ArenaRomford Ice Arena is a sports venue located in Romford, Havering, England.It is the home of the Romford Raiders ice hockey team. In addition to ice hockey, the venue has resident professional figure skating coaches. The arena is also used for public skating, as a conference centre and party venue...
, Walthamstow StadiumWalthamstow StadiumWalthamstow Stadium was a greyhound racing track located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in east London and was one of a limited number of remaining greyhound race tracks operating in Greater London...
, Brisbane Road, Redbridge Cycling CentreRedbridge Cycling CentreRedbridge Cycling Centre is a new permanent road cycle circuit and mountain bike course at Hog Hill – near Hainault Forest Country Park and directly opposite the Forest Cemetery & Crematorium. The £5m cost of the facility was funded by the London Development Agency as a replacement the... - Theatre: Queens TheatreQueen's Theatre, HornchurchThe Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch is a 500-seat theatre located in Hornchurch in the London Borough of Havering, east London.The theatre opened in its current purpose-built site on Billet Lane, Hornchurch in 1975....
, Stratford CircusStratford CircusStratford Circus is a contemporary performing arts venue in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham, east London. It was designed by Levitt Bernstein architects and built with funding from the National Lottery....
, Theatre Royal Stratford EastTheatre Royal Stratford EastThe Theatre Royal Stratford East is a theatre in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham. Since 1953, it has been the home of the Theatre Workshop company.-History:...