What were the London docks used for?

To enable ships to discharge directly into guarded quays, where goods could be stored in secure warehouses, the West India Docks were opened in 1802 at the northern end of the Isle of Dogs. In 1805 the London Docks opened in Wapping (in Tower Hamlets), and the East India Docks were inaugurated in 1806.

What was Victoria dock used for?

The Victoria and Albert docks were constructed by the London & St Katharine Docks Company, to provide berths for large vessels that could not be accommodated further upriver. They were a great commercial success, becoming London’s principal docks during the first half of the 20th century.

What happened to London docks?

London’s docks were unable to accommodate the much larger vessels needed by containerization, and the shipping industry moved to deep-water ports such as Tilbury and Felixstowe. Between 1960 and 1980, all of London’s docks were closed, leaving around eight square miles (21 km²) of derelict land in East London.

When did the last London docks close?

1982
Containers also meant ships became much larger, growing 1,200 per cent in size from the mid 1960s until today. Having to navigate these vast vessels through the Thames was becoming a nightmare, so docks began to close rapidly in favour of the sites further down the Thames. The last London dock closed in 1982.

How deep are the Royal Docks?

thirteen metres deep
London’s Royal Docks were built in the mid-19th century – a marvel of Victorian engineering. An average of thirteen metres deep and 4 kilometres long, they cover an area the size of Central London.

Is Royal Docks a nice area?

Royal Docks has also become a new hub for business professionals as well as an enviable place to live with incredible river views and beautifully designed apartments and townhouses. With the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone being the only Enterprise Zone in London, Royal Docks has plenty to offer for everyone.

Why did docks decline?

After the war the docks went into decline. The industry left the area due to competition from abroad. After the introduction of the UDC the Docklands was redeveloped. The evidence of the original Docks is seen here with a gateway being built to show the original purpose of the area.

What happened to the 10000 jobs left at the docks?

After the closure of many of London’s docks in the 1960s, thousands of people lost their jobs. People left the area to look for jobs elsewhere. Between 1981 and 1998, the London Docklands underwent urban regeneration and continues to improve to this day.

Is Royal Docks a nice place to live?

Overall, Royal Wharf is a great place to live, well connected to the DLR, Uber Boat and London City Airport. The retail spaces are still not fully occupied, would be great to have markets, restaurants, etc available.

Is Royal Wharf a good investment?

With so much interest in the Royal Docks area, potential landlords can rest assured that their investment will be highly profitable. There is ongoing and continued demand for high quality properties in this part of London, and when the time comes to sell, investors will certainly see a profit on their purchase.

Is Royal Albert Wharf safe?

The neighbourhood itself is safe and friendly, and a dedicated property manager is available if you need a helping hand with anything. With ample green space and pedestrian paths aplenty, Royal Albert Wharf feels like a proper community.

Where are the docks in London in the Victorian era?

LONDON DOCKS (THE). Situated on the left bank of the Thames, between ST. KATHERINE’S DOCKS and RATCLIFFE HIGHWAY.

Is there a floating village in the Royal Docks?

Residential, commercial and retail developments are springing up right the way along the 4 kilometres of London’s Royal Docks, from Gallion’s Reach to the planned floating village. The University of East London continues to thrive whilst ExCel now offers London’s only international conference centre .

How big are the docks in London London?

LONDON DOCKS lie immediately below St. Katharine’s Docks, and were opened in 1805; John Rennie, engineer. They comprise 90 acres: 35 acres of water, and 12,980 feet of quay and jetty frontage; with three entrances from the Thames – Hermitage, Wapping, and Shadwell, where the depth of water at spring-tides is 27 feet.

How are people getting to the Royal Docks?

Today, thousands of people arrive into London’s Royal Docks by air, tube, DLR, boat, road and even cable car. Residential, commercial and retail developments are springing up right the way along the 4 kilometres of London’s Royal Docks, from Gallion’s Reach to the planned floating village.