Where is Lower Lea Valley?
The River Lea forms the historic and geographic core of the Lower Lea Valley, marking the borough boundary between Tower Hamlets and Newham. Rich in wildlife and providing valuable open space for local communities, it is one of the most important natural, heritage and cultural assets in the borough. The Lower Lea Valley is the southern end of the Lea Valley which surrounds the River Lea in eastern Greater London. It is part of the Thames Gateway redevelopment area and was the location of the 2012 Summer Olympics. Canal towpath overlooking Three Mills Wall River with a view across to Sugar House Island.Lee Valley Regional Park Authority is responsible for the 26 mile long, 10,000 acre park with its huge variety of award winning green spaces, world class sports venues and ecologically vital wildlife havens.Lee Valley Regional Park is a 26 mile long park running through London, Essex and Hertfordshire packed full of adventure from stunning and scientifically important open spaces to epic sporting experiences plus local history around every turn.The valley takes its name from the River Lee (or Lea). Venues and attractions in the Lee Valley include the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford (home of the London 2012 Olympic Games) several marinas and moorings, a network of cycle routes, angling (fishing) areas, and green spaces.The Olympic Park was built in the Lower Lea Valley – the River Lea is a tributary of the Thames and the Lea Valley was previously one of the main industrial areas in London. Preparations for the Games involved a huge clean-up operation of old contaminated sites and waterways (such as that pictured below).
What is the meaning of Lea Valley?
The Lea Valley is a large composite Metropolitan site, including the River Lee Navigation and the River Lea as well as their associated watercourses and adjacent wetlands downstream to the tidal limit in Tower Hamlets. Below this, the river is included in the River Thames and tidal tributaries Metropolitan Site. The source of the Lea is a natural spring that rises from the chalk aquifer at Leagrave in the Chiltern hills north of Luton. It flows some 42 miles through Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and north-east London, where it becomes the Lee Navigation, and discharges into the Thames at Bow Creek.The River Lea was once a pure chalk stream that was the centre of town life. It provided clean drinking water to Luton and London and was the focal point for everything from the local straw hat making industry to major engineering firms.
How big is Lea Valley?
Lee Valley Regional Park is a unique leisure, sports and environmental destination for residents of London, Essex and Hertfordshire. The 26 mile long, 10,000-acre Park, much of it formerly derelict land, is partly funded by a levy on the council tax. Lee Valley Regional Park Authority owns 35% of the Olympic Park. It funds, manages and owns three venues following the London 2012 Games – Lee Valley White Water Centre in Hertfordshire, Lee Valley VeloPark and the Eton Manor hockey and tennis centres located at the northernmost end of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Why did the Lower Lea Valley need regeneration?
Polluted waterways – The River Lea and Lee Navigation Canal were badly polluted. Social deprivation – It was an area of social deprivation with few services, poor quality housing and high unemployment. Poor infrastructure – existing infrastructure was in a poor state of repair. The lifetime financial position of the London Olympics was to break even, meaning the event paid for itself. All of the named advantages of hosting the games, including the long-term plans for the Olympic Stadium, resulted in a positive outcome for the United Kingdom and its citizens.The substantial public investments in transportation, sporting venues, and other infrastructure were seen as a pivotal opportunity to improve living conditions and access for East London communities. The 2012 London Olympics serve as both an example of the potential legacy of the Games and a cautionary tale.Before the London 2012 Olympics, the Lower Lea Valley was an area of urban deprivation with many derelict industrial sites, poor quality housing and high unemployment rates, and chemicals badly contaminated the land and waterways.London wants to be the first city to host an Olympics four times. The United Kingdom capital is poised to bid again after hosting the Summer Games in 1908, 1948 and, most recently, in 2012. Now London Mayor Sadiq Khan wants to go after the 2040 Summer Games.The lifetime financial position of the London Olympics was to break even, meaning the event paid for itself. All of the named advantages of hosting the games, including the long-term plans for the Olympic Stadium, resulted in a positive outcome for the United Kingdom and its citizens.