In 2002 Groundwork undertook a programme of environmental and artistic work on the riverside path – this involved partnership work with a variety of site owners, public bodies and individuals. £££££ was spent on jetties and riverside works. They produced a booklet some of which is copied below.
Most of their work has now been destroyed by new site owners and developers
(the whole booklet is not reproduced because it is full of pictures, and I do not know who owns the copyrights)
Groundwork said:
“EAST GREENWICH WATERFRONT
RECENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS
Groundwork Thames Gateway London South Building sustainable communities through joint environmental action
“Groundwork Thames Gateway London South is an environ-
mental regeneration charity operating across the boroughs
of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. Working in deprived
neighbourhoods, we deliver practical projects to improve
the local environment, engage people in their community
and provide training for employment.
We are part of the Groundwork Federation, comprised of 46
independent trusts working around the country. Established
21 years ago, Groundwork has become the UK’s leading
environmental regeneration charity.
The London Development Agency works for the Mayor,
investing in new jobs and skills for Londoners,supporting
businesses and bringing derelict land back into use.Wrth an
annual budget of £300 million and major land asse1s,we
work with business and other partners in order to provide
opportunities for all to benefit from London’s economy.
Alatel , Amylum U.K. Ltd Deptford Discovery Team Emergency Exit Arts Environment Agency Greenwich Arts Forum Greenwich Council Greenwich Development Society Greenwich Experience Greenwich Industrial History Society Greenwich Local History Library Greenwich Mural Workshop Groundwork Thames Gateway London South Inner London Probation Service James Garner Jonathan Cook Landscape Architects Jonathan Louth Associates
London Development Agency Peter Kent Richard Lawrence Roadways and Car Parks Ltd Robert West Consulting Engineers Thames 21
We have tried to acknowledge all the projects and their initators, developers and funders. We apologise if we’ve left anyone out.
Should you desire further information, please contact Groundwork Thames Gateway London South on 0208-694-5000.
September 2002
The East Greenwich Waterfront stretches from the historical Greenwich Town Centre and old Naval College to the Millennium Dome, and encompasses some of the borough’s largest industries, It is widely recognised as a site of
great historical, economic, ecological and aesthetic importance, and attracts visitors from far and wide, as well as the local community,
It is one of the few surviving stretches of industrial riverfront with working wharves in inner London, People using the riverside walk encounter a spectacular sequence of Thames views with a foreground of wharves, jetties, silos, chimneys, working industrial plants and boat building and repair activi
ties, The industrial heritage is immense and apparent in the remains of old barges, slipways, mooring dolphins and jetties, The old cable loading facilities at Enderby’s Wharf also remain and it was here where the world’s first transatlantic telegraph cable was loaded onto The Great Eastern in the 1860s,
Set against this industrial backdrop is a wealth of biodiversity. Over the last 20 years, the water quality of the River Thames has improved enormously and the river now supports 118 different species of fish. This has also enabled the Foreshore to grow in ecological value, and there are now saline tolerant plants such as the sea aster and accompanying freshwater species; invertebrates thrive in the river silt, while the industrial landscape forms an important habitat for the endangered bird; the black redstart The riverside is a prime location for arts events, attracting visitors from the local community and beyond. Recent projects have included ‘The Hysterical Walk” in 2000, the carved steps at Enderby’s Wharf (both by Greenwich Mural Workshop) and the mosaic tiles at Greenwich Power Station commissioned by Greenwich Council.
Such a unique site requires a sensitive approach in terms of environmental and access improvements, where the local distinctiveness of the riverside sites is celebrated and enhanced – rather than homogenised by a major masterplan.
This was recognised in the 1999 “Green Links Initiative Report” by the Deptford Discovery Team. The report was based on a partnership established with the two major riverside employers, Amylum U.K. Ltd and Alcatel, as well
as Groundwork. It set out a vision, rationale and programme for a strategic series of riverside enhancements between Lovell’s Wharf and Bay Wharf.
Further to that report, a diverse range of works have taken place and several are ongoing or in the pipeline, initiated and implemented by bodies including The Deptford Discovery Team, Groundwork Thames Gateway London South,
The Environment Agency, Thames 21, Greenwich Council and the landowners themselves. Funding for these has come from the London Development Agency, other public bodies and the local business community.
The purpose of this report is to bring together and summarise projects carried out to date and to describe those currently projected, between Lovell’s Wharf and Bay Wharf.
The next step envisaged is the establishment of an independent and accountable River Group including riverfront and riverwalk users, in order to lobby for and decide upon further improvements and alterations, and the conservation/preservation of existing features. We hope that this report will act as a catalyst for interested parties to become involved.
Industrial Heritage Information Panels
Etched stainless steel information panels have been located at both Primrose Jetty and Enderby’s Wharf, depicting in detail the industrial heritage of the East Greenwich waterfront between Greenwich Power Station and Bay Wharf. The panels were researched, designed and delivered by the Deptford Discovery Team with assistance from Mary Mills of The Greenwich Industrial History Society, the Greenwich Local History Library and the artist Peter Kent.
The Hysterical Walk
An arts event that took place on 4 occasions in the year 2000. A guided walk, led by actors telling the story of the life of a beachcomber, connected a series of sculptures, light installations and projections, picture frames producing “paintings” of river views, music, dance and theatre. The event was delivered by Greenwich Mural Workshop and funded by Greenwich Arts Forum and the Greenwich Development Agency. The artists involved were Emergency Exit Arts, Margaret Harrison, Richard Langford, Rib Davies, Carol Kenna, Johnny Goodwin, Louis Silcott, The Simba project and TIPP.
Works have been done on:
Lovells Wharf
Dead Dog Bay
Granite Wharf
Granite Wharf Sluice Inlet Site
Badcock Wharf Passage
Providence Wharf
Piper’s Wharf
Enderby’s Wharf
Bendish Sluice and Outlet
Alcatel Ferry Steps and Causeway
Alcatel Jetty
Former Jetty Remains
Amylum Oil Jetty
Amylum Garden
Amylum Silos
Morden Wharf
Primrose Wharf Habitat Enhancements
Primrose Jetty
Bay Wharf
Riverside Footpath
Greenwich Peninsula History 