Cyclists have expressed concern that Thames Water has part-closed a key walking and cycling route in east London for 18 months.
The utility company gated off the central section of the Greenway, meaning cyclists and pedestrians travelling between Canning Town and the Olympic Park are forced to take a lengthy on-road diversion.
The part-closure, between Canning Road and Manor Road, started on September 2 – meaning it is not due to reopen until March 2026.
Cyclists are diverted via Abbey Lane, Abbey Road and Manor Road, with the route requiring riders to make a difficult right turn across traffic just after Abbey Road DLR station.
Newham Cyclists, part of the London Cycling Campaign, said Thames Water should have given Newham council enough time to prepare a traffic order allowing it to close Abbey Road to vehicles.
It wants Thames Water to stop work and reopen the Greenway until the diversion route is safe.
Newham Cyclists said on Monday: “We are disappointed and angered by Thames Water’s and their contractors’ decision to close part of the Greenway, Newham’s only safe and inclusive north-south cycle route, while the diversion route is dangerously busy with car and van traffic.
“People who use the Greenway - from children and families cycling to school or the park, to dog-walkers, to workers at Newham Hospital -are being forced onto a narrow bridge at Abbey Road DLR with fast and heavy traffic.
“Cars and vans speed and emerge suddenly due to poor sight lines, which is a major collision risk. Some drivers are impatient, intimidating cyclists by revving and passing too close.
“Many people cycling, particularly children, are riding on the pavement in fear; the pavement is much too narrow for pedestrians as it is.
“We have been inundated with messages from Greenway users reporting frightening encounters on the diversion. We think it is only a matter of time before someone is hurt, or worse.”
Representatives from Newham Cyclists met Thames Water at the end of July and warned the firm that the Abbey Road part of the diversion was “dangerous”, and the closure should be delayed until Newham Council had time to fix Abbey Road.
Newham Cyclists posted on X/Twitter last week: “They should have delayed the closure until a safe diversion could’ve been put in place by removing excess motor traffic from Abbey Road.
“We asked them to, and they didn’t. We can only hope no-one is hurt. Great start to the school year.”
They should have delayed the closure until a safe diversion could’ve been put in place by removing excess motor traffic from Abbey Road. We asked them to, and they didn’t. We can only hope no-one is hurt. Great start to the school year.
— Newham Cyclists (@NewhamCyclists) September 12, 2024
Zack Polanski, a member of the London Assembly and the Green Party’s deputy leader, said: “We need improvements for walking and cycling to the diversion.
“I've found Abbey Road really difficult the last couple of days and I'm a relatively experienced cyclist.”
Concerns have also been expressed at the inconvenience caused to staff and patients at Newham hospital.
The Greenway is a 4.3-mile car-free paved route that links Hackney Wick and Beckton via the southern boundary of the Olympic park.
Thames Water has been carrying out work on its section closest to Stratford High Street for more than a year but has maintained access.
However the section further east has been closed off entirely, with contractors from the firm Barhale manning gates and only construction vehicles allowed through.
A Newham council spokesperson said: “Newham council is working with Thames Water and partners to ensure that any disruption caused by these essential works is kept to a minimum.
“We recognise the Greenway as a vital as sustainable transport link, and are working to improve the diversion route for cyclists and those walking.
“We remain committed to minimising the impact on the community and appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation while these vital improvements are carried out.”
Asked why the closure had not been delayed until roadworks were completed on the diversion route, Thames Water said: “Manor Road is a major upgrade project which has been months in the planning and we cannot pause the project in response to emergency works.”
Thames said that “vital repairs” were being carried out to the Northern Outfall Sewer, the strategic pipeline that lies underneath the Greenway.
The outfall sewer was originally constructed by Sir Joseph Bazalgette in the 1860s and expanded in the 1910s. It runs from Wick Lane in Bow to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works and serves more than five million people.
According to Thames Water, the sewer’s five 9ft-wide barrels, and the bridge supports that carry it over the Jubilee Line, DLR, and the A1011 road, are nearing the end of their life cycle. The upgrade will extend their lifespan by a further 120 years.
Thames said that it and Newham council had agreed to close the Greenway “to ensure public safety”.
Richard Smith, senior project manager at Thames Water, said: “It is always our priority to minimise disruption and to try to maintain access to amenities.
“However, at Manor Road the works are very close to construction activities and there is insufficient space to maintain a safe public route through the worksite.
“While we appreciate they will impact access to a popular amenity, we hope that residents and users will recognise their importance, the need for safety and the long term benefits they will deliver.”
