Thames path reopens in Woolwich
Image courtesy @konradc12
A long-closed section of the Thames path in Woolwich has reopened this past week.
The stretch just west of the Woolwich ferry has been closed while a wall alongside the river was repaired as part of construction work to build two residential blocks at Mast Quay.
The river wall collapsed at the site in 2020, which at the time had lay empty for over 20 years as landowners sat on the plot.
There were plans to build in 1999. Nothing then progressed.
Fast forward to 2012 and approval was finally given for two blocks, but didn’t start until around 2020.
When they finally did build, other issues have arisen. The path opened a day after a planning application for substantial alterations to the design of the blocks was refused, as covered earlier this week.
While altering a building’s design post-approval isn’t new, doing so on this scale without approval when the building is all but complete is another matter.
If work is now undertaken to ensure what has been built is more like what was approved, let’s hope another closure isn’t forthcoming.
In future a dedicated cycle lane is also due to pass the development along Woolwich Church Street. Here’s TfL’s previous plan:
For now after a long wait let’s enjoy unimpeded access again alongside the Thames on foot and cycle.
