Network Rail has launched a masterplanning process for the development of a major logistics hub at Bow Goods Yard in east London.
Bow Goods Yard, comprising over 120,000m2 of brownfield land, is currently home to several heavy rail freight uses and is strategically located next to the A12. As one of the largest railheads for the capital, it supplies over 1M.t of concrete and aggregate to serve the construction industry.
The site is the final parcel of land to be unlocked as part of London’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic legacy. It was initially used as the main construction hub for the Olympics and later as the warm up track during the games.
The development has the potential to deliver a sustainable transport network for east London through rail fed warehousing with an integrated last-mile logistics hub to serve Greater London. A key objective of the scheme will be to reduce HGV journeys across London, delivering a lower carbon footprint and easing congestion.
Network Rail group property director Robin Dobson said: “As the last part of the regeneration story for the Olympic Park, Bow Goods Yard is strategically connected by both road and rail. The development has the potential to create London’s largest state-of-the-art freight and last mile logistics hub to serve Greater London, alongside delivering homes, a workspace campus and open space connecting to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
“The regeneration of this strategic site demonstrates the huge importance rail infrastructure plays in unlocking the development of brownfield sites and to deliver on London’s sustainability agenda. We look forward to working closely with both communities and key stakeholders on this opportunity.”
Maccreanor Lavington Architects has been selected to work in partnership with Network Rail and key stakeholders to deliver plans for the site. Montagu Evans has also been appointed as lead planning and development consultant. A period of consultation and design will take place this year with the target to submit planning in 2024.
Maccreanor Lavington associate urban designer Blazej Czuba added: “This project needs care and sensitivity in its design, with a fair amount of innovation. The team understands the complexity of London: its communities, its spatial character, its uses, and the mix that will create a new neighbourhood here for the people of Newham and Tower Hamlets.”
Network Rail will work on the development with partners including the London Legacy Development Corporation, Greater London Authority and the London Boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets.
The team will also work with the neighbouring communities of Pudding Mill, Fish Island and Strand East to connect the future scheme with the surrounding pockets of nature, such as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the River Lea and Greenway.
Bow Goods Yard
- A park-side neighbourhood of homes, leisure, industrial and open space
- The largest rail freight campus with integrated last-mile logistics hub to serve Greater London
- Workspace and workshop accommodation for an emerging and creative businesses campus
- New landscaping and open space celebrating the site’s unique location
- Connectivity with Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and local communities
- Wider Infrastructure improvements
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