The Railways of London Docklands: Their History and Development

This book provides a comprehensive study of the planning and building of railways in London's Docklands, reflecting on the past 180 years of railway development. It describes the creation of the enclosed working docks and the introduction of railways, the decline of the working docks, and the establishment of the London Docklands Development Corporation to regenerate the area. The book details modern railway projects such as the Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee Line extension, and Crossrail/Elizabeth Line, which have supported the area's growing employment and population. It appeals to railway enthusiasts and transport and planning professionals interested in the relationship between transport and development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 06 July 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the planning and construction of railways in London's Docklands, spanning the past 180 years of railway development. It delves into the creation of enclosed working docks at the dawn of the 19th century and the subsequent introduction of railways in the mid-century. By the 1970s, the decline of the working docks sparked numerous proposals to rejuvenate the area, yet there was little consensus on the appropriate course of action. A pivotal moment came with the establishment of the London Docklands Development Corporation by the former Secretary of State for the Environment, Lord Heseltine. This initiative expedited the development of Canary Wharf. The book provides detailed accounts of modern railway projects designed to support the area's growing employment and population, including the Docklands Light Railway with its numerous extensions, the Jubilee Line extension, and Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. This work will appeal to a broad audience, including railway enthusiasts interested in understanding the approval and construction processes of such projects, as well as transport and planning professionals seeking to gain insights into the dynamics between transport and development, particularly in the context of evolving political, economic, and employment scenarios. The outcome has resulted in Docklands boasting an impressive hierarchy of quality transport services, rivaling any in the world.

Weight: 1050g
Dimension: 223 x 290 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526790583