Historic Context

By the 1800s, the Port of London and West and East India Docks were becoming overwhelmed with the increasing scale of trade and growth of London, with new substantial docks needed that could except larger ships and ease the pressure off of the River Thames and the existing docks.

 

As a result, a group of entrepreneurs sought to construct new larger and deeper docks on marshland towards the east of the city.

The Victoria Dock opened in 1855 and this was soon followed by the Albert Dock in 1880. These new docks featured the latest technology and railways that transported trade to the quays. The docks also began to hold frozen goods and accept passenger ships

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The docks were in their heyday and industry such as ironworks, ship building, sugar refining and gasworks grew rapidly around the area and the large numbers of employees required accommodation. New settlements including North Woolwich, Canning Town and Custom House were constructed, but housing was poor and lacked basic sanitation.

King George V dock was opened in 1921 nearby to the Victoria and Albert Docks, with them all becoming collectively known as the 'Royal Docks'.

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During WWII, the Royal Docks and the surrounding towns were extensively damaged during the Blitz. Despite this, the docks continued to operate and indeed aided the war effort during the Normandy landings.

 

Post-war, the docks endured a period of success with high trade volumes and reached their peak in the 1950s and 60s. 

Technological improvements to shipping through containerisation, as well as the forces of globalisation led to the decline in the significance of the docks and the area suffered from deindustrialisation. The Royal Docks closed in 1981 and led to swathes of unemployment and social and economic decline in London's East End.

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From 1981, the London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) took control of regenerating the derelict docks. The DLR opened in 1987 and plans were drawn for repurposing part of the Royal Albert Dock as a new international airport, although was opposed by locals and the People's Plan provided an alternative plan.

Although the LDDC was dissolved in 1998, regeneration continued under the Greater London Authority (GLA). The new millennium saw continued Royal Docks redevelopment including a new campus for the University of East London and an expansive new exhibition and events centre, the ExCel.

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Today, the Royal Docks are within London's only Enterprise Zone and development of commercial, housing and leisure space continues. Part of the Royal Albert Dock was allocated to become 'London's next business district', focussed on Chinese investment. However, developer ABP collapsed in 2019 and the site has been left empty and incomplete.