Boris Johnson’s 2020 London Vision omits vital Cody Dock link

Boris Johnson’s 2020 Vision for London includes a call to “four-track the Greater Anglia line up the Lea Valley” and praises the “wildflower meadows by the Lea”.

Sadly the section on the Lower Lea makes no mention of the Lea Valley Walk or the failure of the defunct London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC) to complete its work on extending the riverside path down the tidal Lea.

The successor quango has a zone which avoids the problem.

An £80,000 crossing is needed at Cody Dock on the Newham bank now to unlock the potential.

The Mayor’s claims about the Queen Elizabeth Park being “a destination for sport, entertainment and leisure” including cycle paths would be more convincing if the cycle and walking routes connected.

 

Official: Lea Bridge Station to reopen

Lea Bridge Station, between Tottenham Hale and Stratford, is to reopen.

The announcement was made today by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

The station will consist of two platforms, a new footbridge and lifts, waiting shelters and cycle storage.

The station, on the north side of Lea Bridge Road and closed since 1985, will be handy for those starting or leaving the Lea Valley Walk at Lea Bridge.

The reopening is an initiative of Waltham Forest Council and it is the minister’s expectation that work should begin without too much delay.

Leyton Marsh Beating the Bounds

There will be beating bounds around Leyton Marsh on Rogation Sunday 5 May.

All are welcome to join in the procession which leaves the Princess of Wales next to Lea Bridge at 2.15pm.

This year the walk is due to follow the southern boundary of the Leyton Lammas Lands.

Rogation processions round the parish praying for a good harvest date from the early 8th century. In some places it was also the custom to check that the boundary stones remained in place and ceremonially beat them with willow wands as in the Lea Valley.

Full details are on the Save Leyton Marsh website.

Lea Valley day walk

There is a guided day out on the Lea Valley Walk on Sunday 14 April.

The three mile walk, promoted by the Lea Valley Park, will look at industrial heritage including filter beds, natural history, the impact of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Three Mills.

The start is at 9.30am from the WaterWorks Nature Reserve, Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road E10 7QB.

There will be a tour of House Mill at the end about 4pm.

To book a place, £15, go to the Field Studies Council website.

Olympic Legacy: Lea Bridge Station could reopen

Waltham Forest Council is working on a plan to reopen Lea Bridge Station.

The station, on the Startford-Tottenham Hale line, is on the north side of Lea Bridge Road. It opened in 1840 and closed in 1985.

Funding appears to be available from the Olympic Park regeneration

This station could provide a handy alternative to Clapton Station for those starting or leaving the Lea Valley Walk at Lea Bridge.

Brocket Hall: Valentine bed & breakfast

Brocket Hall, which has the River Lea flowing through the grounds, is offering a ‘Valentine’s Package’ bed and breakfast weekend just after St Valentine’s Day.

The Daily Telegraph has a feature with plenty of Brocket history.

The mansion is now mainly used as a conference centre with occasional film shoots.

The one night with dinner for two costs £425. How about starting a less expensive bed and breakfast for walkers? It would work well as a break between Luton and Hertford.