Regeneration news
Royal Docks Corridor: building cleaner, greener & safer streets
The Royal Docks Corridor project, led by Newham Council and the Royal Docks Team, is nearing completion bringing major improvements to Silvertown Way and North Woolwich Road between Canning Town and Connaught Bridge.
Major upgrades nearing completion
All construction phases are expected to finish by November 2025 with the final works including a full overhaul of the square outside Pontoon Dock station.
This ambitious project is enhancing road layouts, improving the public realm, and creating dedicated cycle paths, helping to make Newham a cleaner, greener, and more accessible borough. Already, residents and visitors are enjoying the benefits of new pedestrian-friendly zones, improved cycle tracks, and an enhanced public realm.
Royal Docks Corridor outside Oasis Academy
Commitment to green spaces and cleaner air
The Royal Docks Corridor not only promotes sustainable travel but also plays a crucial role in helping Newham adapt to climate change.
Earlier this month, 200 trees were planted along North Woolwich Road, enhancing air quality and biodiversity. Attending the tree-planting event, the Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, highlighted the importance of greener streets in reducing health inequalities and improving wellbeing. She said: "This project has seen us plant nearly 200 trees as part of our pocket forest, helping to reduce pollution in the air and making our streets more pleasant".
The Royal Docks tree-planting project is part of Newham’s wider commitment to increase urban greenery and create more pollution-resistant streets. Partially funded by the Urban Tree Challenge through the Forestry Commission, other initiatives in the Royal Docks include Beckton Meadows, where over two acres have been transformed with resident-planted wildflowers and grasses, a dedicated Butterfly Garden, and the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Pathway.
Another key feature of the Royal Docks Corridor is the incorporation of a series of linear rain gardens, spanning over 4,000m² along the 2-mile route. As part of the Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), these gardens enhance urban greening, manage surface water runoff, and improve water filtration, thereby helping to ease pressure on drainage networks.
Pocket park on the North Woolwich Road
Local pupils help design pocket park
Local schoolchildren are also playing an active role in the transformation of the Royal Docks Corridor. Pupils from Britannia Village and Royal Wharf primary schools have been invited to help design a new pocket park, including choosing its name and creating signage featuring their artwork.
Artist Matt Ponting from Doodling Around will lead workshops to educate local pupils on pollinators, biodiversity, and the value of green spaces. Their artworks will be displayed on signs around the new park, which will feature insect hotels and habitat areas to support local wildlife.
Upcoming Works and Road Closures
Several important works are scheduled in the coming months:
Night-time Resurfacing Works (22 April – 2 May 2025):
A 200m stretch of North Woolwich Road between Barrier Point Road and Mill Road, along with the northern section of Royal Crest Avenue, will be closed to traffic nightly from 8pm to 5am. Diversion routes will be clearly signposted.
Silvertown Way Viaduct Closure (5 May – November 2025):
The viaduct will be closed to westbound motor vehicles for essential maintenance works, including re-waterproofing and joint repairs. Eastbound traffic will not be affected, but the viaduct will be fully closed to pedestrians and cyclists in both directions, with diversions in place.
Britannia Gate Road Closure (5 May – November 2025):
Access between Britannia Gate and Silvertown Way will be closed to motor vehicles in both directions. However, pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to access Britannia Gate from the east via North Woolwich Road.
Residents, businesses, and visitors are encouraged to plan for these closures and to follow signed diversions during the affected periods.
For more information and updates visit: https://bit.ly/3YjUdcD
