- This article is about the area of London, United Kingdom. For the city in South Africa see East London.
East London is the informal name given to the eastern part of London on the north side of the River Thames.
Boundaries
The London boroughs that make up this area are Barking & Dagenham, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.
The term is sometimes erroneously considered interchangable with the East End of London, however the East End covers a much smaller area to the west of East London, centered on Tower Hamlets and part of Hackney. As no part of London south of the Thames is considered to be part of East London, North East London would be a more accurate description of the area and this name is sometimes used to refer to it.
History
The oldest parts of East London are Tower Hamlets and Hackney. These areas, originally in Middlesex officially became part of London with the creation of the County of London in 1888. The eastern limit of London at this time became the River Lea which was the traditional boundary between Middlesex and Essex.
Because the strict planning laws of London were not in force on the eastern side of the river the area began to industrialise quickly in places such as Canning Town and Silvertown, now in the borough of Newham. This area became known as 'London over the Border'.
In 1965 the boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering were incorporated into Greater London. As a legacy of not being in the original County of London, Newham receives less funding, than for example Tower Hamlets, and is campaigning to be officially recognised as an Inner London borough.
Today
East London is today considered an area of regeneration. The redevelopment of the Docklands area and the Thames Gateway project will transform areas of industrial decline. The area is also at the centre of London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics. If successful, this will kick start regeneration programmes.
Transport
East London has seen considerable improvement with transportation in recent years. The A12 and A13 trunk roads have been considerably upgraded and the Docklands Light Railway and Jubilee Line Extension constructed. A further extension to the Docklands Light Railway to connect with London City Airport is under construction while further extensions are also planned. Stratford International station on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link is also currently under construction.
An east-west rail route known as Crossrail is also planned to serve several stations in East London.
Places in East London
Places of Interest
See also
Last updated: 05-25-2005 09:14:33
