Access and Movement
Below is an explanation into the movement across the site for pedestrians and for vehicles. Inspiration for some of these ideas have been expressed and some barriers to movement have been identified.
Diagram showing types of pathways and movement across the site
We wanted to make the site as pedestrian-friendly as possible which is why there is a nature trail running around the outskirts, connections across the water via bridges and a wide boulevard for potential events such as a street market and other festivals.
The boulevard runs directly from the Thames barrier park to ExCel with no roads in between. Essentially the water edge and around the heritage sites are solely for people and bicycles, no cars should interfere with activities.
There is a road network, but the materials used should indicate that it is a slow zone, and with there being no kerbs, everyone should be able to cross the road with ease. A car park/ drop off point is located to the west of the site and should accommodate some parking and retail delivery vehicles. We don't want to encourage an increase in car use when public transport is operating in such close proximity.
Diagram showing types of Transport across the site
We didn't want to just restrict types of accommodation and workspaces to fixed locations, which is why have proposed canal boat and studio mooring locations, to make the area stand out, more diverse and flexible in the long run, plus from experience with canal boats, they add an extra level of security in the sense that they activate an edge. A good thing about the boats is that designations can change. Instead of accommodation in front of the mills, it could become an area for restaurant barges in which good examples can be found in Stratford-Upon-Avon in the Bancroft Gardens.
Rental Bikes in Dublin
We have allocated bicycle rent/ storage areas to encourage greater sustainable transport, and with there being wide pavements and trails people should take it up. On our Dublin trip, bike rental points were pretty much everywhere.
Bus stops are provided as well to shuttle people in the area, and the location is somewhat central, with only a short walk to the Mills or any other desired service. Buses can exit through the southern roads and enter in through the east road.
Water activities are present via the leisure facility and they may consist of kayaking, pedalos etc... And another form of transport not mapped out is boat trips within the dock area; you may have a service that runs to The Crystal. Inspiration for this has come from Aylesbury.
People engaging in water activities in the Waterside Canal Basin
A food barge situated by the Swan Theatre
The road along the southern edge of the site doesn't have a very good crossing point to TBP, therefore we propose a wide crossing with traffic lights.
Once across there is still an issue with getting to the higher level of the park, therefore landscaping will be required to put in a pathway.
The connection from Thames Barrier Park to Silvertown Quays should be an easy transition, hence why the road should be raised where the paths connect. Traffic lights should also be installed
Roads will be designed in mind of shared usage. Therefore textured surfaces will be incorporated, to aid those visually impaired and the road surface will differ as a subtle hint to drivers that they are in a special shared slow zone. An example used here is Beach Road.
Kerbs will not be present in the development as it would severely hinder disabled people and those who use wheel based items such as bikes and pushchairs.
A sketch displaying how the pathway to TBP should connect
Barriers to Movement
A1020 - N Woolwich Rd close to Silo D
Beach Rd - Weston-super-Mare