Work has begun this week to create a new mini ‘linear’ park which will join up walking and cycling routes from the River Thames at Barking Riverside to Barking town centre and central London.
Thanks to £440,000 from the Mayor of London’s Green Capital Grants and an investment of £350,000 from Be First, the new Ripple Greenway will link to the new Cycleway, which will run from Barking Riverside to Barking and to the new extension of the Cycle Superhighway, which will run from Thames View to central London.
Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Social Housing and Regeneration, said: “It’s good to see this fantastic project taking shape. It will enable residents to stroll or cycle from Barking Riverside to Barking town centre or perhaps all the way to Tower Bridge!”
Nick Davies, Principal Transport Officer at Be First, said: “The Ripple Greenway is part of our wider programme of improving cycling and walking options and encouraging a healthier lifestyle for local residents.”
The cycle track and walkway is due to open in the park in early December and will initially connect Radford Way to Renwick Road in Thames View.
It will then be linked to the Barking to Barking Riverside Cycle route in Spring 2020. And is expected to be linked to the extension of the Cycle Superhighway later in the year which will run from Tower Bridge to Thames View, Barking.
Sustrans London Director, Matt Winfield, said: “It’s so exciting to see work start on this fabulous new park.
“The borough’s inspirational residents have been a driving force behind this project, calling for improved access to green space in the area. It has been great working with them and the borough to create this wonderful community asset that I’m sure will be treasured for generations to come.”
