In October 2024, BRL invited residents to come to review the design proposals for the first phase of the Barking Riverside foreshore. 

The riverfront is one of Barking Riverside’s most unique and important features. As part of the existing Outline Planning permission, BRL is designing the first phase of works to the foreshore, which will stretch from the Barking Riverside pier to beyond the Project Office.

These essential works are required to enhance flood defences, drainage and access to the river.

Once these important works have been completed, residents will be able to enjoy:

• A new terrace by the pier – providing space to meet, greet and spend time enjoying the river
• Improved access along the river via a new promenade, or alternatively via a footpath that will meander through the edge of the coastal grassland.
• Enhanced habitats which support local wildlife, including habitats for lizards, bugs, snakes and birds
• New play areas for children of all ages

Thank you to all who came to this engagement event.

You can download the Engagement Boards below to find out more.

Foreshore: Ecology Works and Diversions

Following the engagement sessions that were held in 2024, BRL has recently submitted a planning application for the first phase of the foreshore works.

You can review the submitted planning application here.

Ecology works

In advance of approval of the planning application, and in order to protect the important ecology that lives along the foreshore, BRL needs to undertake ecology works ahead of the commencement of the first phase of foreshore works.
As the foreshore is home to a number of lizards and snakes, this work involves BRL’s ecology team safeguarding this reptile population. This will be done by translocating lizards and other reptiles away from the foreshore area to an alternative habitat.
These important ecology works commenced in April 2025, and you will notice new fencing and vegetation changes along the foreshore.

Access to the Foreshore

In order to undertake the first phase of foreshore works, which include improvements to the flood defences and the creation of new accessible footpaths and enhanced habitats for wildlife, it is necessary to divert Footpath 47, which runs along the foreshore to the north of the coastal grassland.

Recognising the importance of the foreshore to residents, alongside the formal diversion, which will move Footpath 47 away from the foreshore, a temporary route will be provided which will ensure that the foreshore to the east of works area can accessed in as direct a route as possible.
Once construction has been completed, we will divert Footpath 47 along its new route through the improved foreshore area.

Stage 1 – Formal Diversion of Footpath 47

An application is being made to formally divert Footpath 47 along Fielders Crescent and Choats Road (marked in blue on the plan).
Whilst longer, this route has been chosen to provide an accessible route between the diversion points marked with red crosses on the plan below.
Whilst Footpath 47 will be formally diverted, access will still be available to the eastern half of the foreshore (outside of the works area) either along the existing footpath from Choats Road or via the temporary footpath route detailed below.

Stage 2 – Temporary footpath immediately to the north of the foreshore works

A temporary footpath will be created immediately to the north of the works area to maintain access to the eastern area of the foreshore which will be unaffected by this phase of the works.
Once the road works to the north are completed, this temporary route will be adjusted to take advantage of the new pavements.

Stage 2A – Temporary footpath route (dashed pink line) on commencement of foreshore works

Stage 2B – Temporary footpath (dashed pink line) following completion of new pavements

Stage 3 – Diversion of Footpath 47 back along the foreshore

Following completion of the works and subject to the necessary approvals, Footpath 47 will be diverted back along the foreshore, taking advantage of the new walkways.
The proposed new alignment is shown by the purple and orange dashed line in the plan below.

Subject to approval of the planning application, the foreshore works are due to start in Autumn 2025 and will take approximately 12 months.
If you have any further questions about these diversions or the works, please email info@barkingriverside.london