The Regeneration of the London Docklands

As you progress through the storymap, you will see and hear about how the London Docklands changed over time, to become Canary Wharf.

  • 1800-1856​
  • The British Empire was expanding. Steam power had arrived. All this meant more trade. It also meant pandemonium on the river. Collisions were frequent and plundering was rife. The Port of London was in chaos and there was a desperate need for more docks with wider and deeper shores. First to be built were the East and West India Docks which helped relieve for a while the pressure on cargo berths for London. But it was not enough. The growing city needed a radical solution.
  • In 1855 Victoria Dock was opened. Some 13 metres deep and serviced by a giant ship lock the dock featured the latest technology in dockside cranes and services and more importantly could handle multiple numbers of the new large ironclad steamships that were servicing the empire.​
  • By the 1880’s, the docks were one of London’s biggest bases for the cargo industry.
  • 1880-1920​
  • Now linked to the new and expanding railway network and capable of accommodating the largest iron and steam ships Victoria and Albert Docks became London’s main docks. Hundreds of thousands of cargoes of grain, tobacco, meat, fruit, vegetables were unloaded onto the quayside and stored in the giant granaries and refrigerated warehouses. Passenger ships arrived in their hundreds. As a result, employment opportunities increased, creating a huge demand for accommodation for workers; thus new settlements were originated, known as Hallsville, Canning Town, and North Woolwich.

During the time of the British Empire and up to WWII the London Docklands were the heartbeat of London. The area was buzzing with the sound of ships and men hard at work. The Docklands provided employment for thousands and houses were created in the local area for the dockworkers. The ships that came into the Docks bought in items from all round the empire including spices from India . However, the buzz of the docks was not to last!

Task

In 1981 the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was set up with the aim of regenerating the area. This was aided by the creation of Enterprise Zones (1982). The LDDC was responsible for improving transport links such as the creation of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and City Airport. As well as this they created the new financial centre of Canary Wharf (creation of 50,000 jobs) and 23,000 new homes. Also regeneration took place at the Royal Docks (by the LDDC) creating the Excel centre and 7,000 new homes called “Silvertown”.

            Whilst the figures look very impressive a lot of people have been critical of the LDDC. There has been a lack of affordable housing (despite an attempt to build cheaper houses in Silvertown) and graffiti has been seen throughout the Docklands area including; “What about our playground”?!

Answer the questions in your book, or on paper if you would like to bring this with you to London.

Read the extracts above, and listen to 4:20 to 5:50 in the podcast below to answer:

  1. What did the docks bring to the area? What type of work did dock workers do? How is it described it as a place to work? Give examples.

Margaret Thatcher being shown a model of the proposed development at Canary Wharf by the developer Paul Reichmann, in 1988. (Guardian)

Listen from 5:50 to 9:45

  1. What was the docklands like from 1966-81? Give some figures.
  2. Why did this happen?
  3. What was proposed in Margaret Thatcher and the LDDC's new scheme for the area?
  4. What type of work would be introduced here? What do you think would happen to the area? Opportunities / challenges? (described as a proposed technical triumph! "a 21st century workspace")
  5. What is the issue with housing in the area now? Who would be able to live here?

A luxury yacht is moored in the London docklands on day one of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Guardian)

Listen from 10:10 - 13:40 and 15:50 - 17:10 

  1. Should the regeneration project be seen as a success? Could you argue yes and no? (think - a success for whom? why do some argue it needed to happen?)

Archive on 4 - The Long Shadow of Canary Wharf - BBC Sounds

Margaret Thatcher being shown a model of the proposed development at Canary Wharf by the developer Paul Reichmann, in 1988. (Guardian)

A luxury yacht is moored in the London docklands on day one of the London 2012 Olympic Games. (Guardian)