.gif)
Rainham, LB Havering / Erith, LB Bexley
Shortlisted entry, Forgotten Sapces 2011
The London Outer Orbital Path, otherwise known as the London Loop, is an almost complete 150-mile long walking circuit around Greater London, with a missing link between Rainham and Erith located in the Thames Estuary.
The Loop lies within easy reach of the dense urban city centre and occupies the space between the city fringes and London’s surrounding countryside winding through diverse and unexpected landscapes of forest and woodland, former industrial sites, riversides paths, historical buildings, open fields and grazing land, estuaries, marshes and lush meadows. The London Loop starts and ends at the Thames Estuary, a marshy, coastal landscape with a remote and still quality from where the city is visible in the distance. Here a plaque on both sides of the river reminds travelers of the ancient Rainham to Erith “Pilgrim Ferry” that between 1199 and approximately 1854 used to connect the now first and last section of the Loop. Travellers on their journey around London as well as local residents would find this ferry link useful today.
Currently the river separates Rainham from Erith presenting a barrier that forces travellers to return to central London by train in order to continue their journey on the opposite side of the river. To cover a distance of one mile one has to embark on a train journey that currently takes approximately 1.5 hours. River transport from the city centre currently extends to Woolwich in the East of London but a river connection that facilitates a holiday in and around London linking i.e. London Bridge to the marshes in the Thames Estuary at Erith, Rainham or Tilbury does not exist.
Unfortunately Rainham Marshes, while visible from the Erith river promenade, are not easily accessible to Erith residents unless they travel by car. Over the coming years the marshes will gain in attractiveness as the currently operational landfill site at Rainham will be transformed into a conservation park adding another accessible green space to this large nature area. The historic town of Erith and Crayford Marshes on the opposite side of the river however seem cut off from this development.
The proposed ferry connection between Erith and Rainham is closing the missing link of the London Loop. Two gleaming white landmarks on the north and south side of the Thames Estuary render the new ferry stops visible from the distance and provide stunning views over this coastal landscape.
Travelling along the route of the historic Pilgrim Ferry that connected the north and south side of the river at Erith Reach until 1854 the proposed foot and cycle passenger ferry links the first and the last section of the London Loop with proposed landings in Rainham Marshes and at Erith Riverside Gardens. The new river link could form a possible extension to the existing river transport network in Central London facilitating an exciting day out to the Thames Estuary.
Adjacent to the site of the Concrete Barges at Rainham Marshes a 12m high viewing tower clad in perforated white steel panels and illuminated at night is added to the 270m long existing steel pier. Two decks added to the full length of the pier provide pedestrian and cyclist access onto the floating ferry landing and at higher level create a sun deck and promenade alongside the concrete barges.
At Erith Riverside Gardens an existing 170m long timber pier, currently used as a landing stage by the neighbouring Erith Rowing Club, forms the base for the proposed twin viewing tower and timber deck that leads to the floating ferry landing.
The Pilgrim Ferrry Link is a special moment along the journey around London serving both the local communities as well as travellers and tourists.
The Pilgrim Ferry proposal was shortlisted as part of the RIBA Forgotten Spaces 2011 competition and was exhibited at Somerset House, London from 20th October '11 - 29th January '12.