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New York's Fifth Avenue may be worlds away from London's East End, but work has begun on a £10 million scheme to turn Stratford High Street into a “Manhattan boulevard”.
The mile-long route is a key access point for the London Olympics and will form part of the 2012 marathon.
A facelift aiming to “breathe fresh life” into the high street will replace roads and pavements, remove railings and street clutter, improve lighting and plant 70 trees and 3,500 shrubs.
Authorities hope this will work in tandem with a series of major developments planned for the area.
A computer-generated image shows how Stratford High Street could look by the end of the decade once developments that already have planning approval are completed.
The road is expected to become home to at least 12,000 more people. More than 1,500 homes, shops and a 153-room hotel are under construction or have planning permission. Five tower blocks are planned. Stratford rail and DLR station is being upgraded and a £1.5 billion Westfield shopping centre — which aims to create 8,000 permanent jobs — will open beside the Olympic stadium in September 2011.
Peter Andrews, chief executive of London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, which provided the £10 million, said their improvement programme aimed to make a fitting entrance to the 2012 Games.
Thames Gateway Minister Shahid Malik said they were starting to deliver on a pledge to leave a lasting legacy. London's five Olympic boroughs — Newham, Hackney, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest — have signed a deal pledging to improve the appearance of the area, increase employment, build affordable homes and boost services.
The deal is backed by £86.7 million from various government agencies. Schemes include improved town squares and big screens to watch the 2012 Games, better travel routes and enhanced parks and green spaces.
* Houses and flats for sale in Stratford
Reader views (12)
You can go out after dusk in Manhatton.....You can not in Chavford.
- avalidopinion, London.UK, 30/01/2012 12:53
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I lived in Clapham North before the regeneration and now live close to Stratford. Although this has a mixed community, to write off the chances of regeneration/ gentrification is without merit. No other area in the whole of London will have the mix of residential/ transport and commercial infrastructure. Stratford will have a 150 acre park to rival Hyde Park after the Olympics, and the wow factor will surprise the most cynical. In 2012 you'll be able to jump on the Eurostar to Paris and Brussels, and by 2017 on Crossrail for a 45 minute journey to Heathrow. Hopefully the lessons of Canary Wharf will have been learnt, and Stratford will be a desirable destination for everyone.
- Roonaldo, London, England, 26/03/2010 16:36
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Look, the Westfield development is just for the people of Stratford - the catchment area is enormous, including the whole of East London from Tower Hill Eastwards, a lot of North London and right out into Essex. This isn't proposed as some sort of replacement for Stratford shopping centre. Stratford is a dump at the moment, but I've already noticed a lot of improvement already. There is an enormous middle class demographic nearby in Bow, Hackney, Leytonstone and Wanstead who are currently spending their money in the West End. This is great news for the area.
- Elbert, London, 25/03/2010 16:17
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Do you really expect us to believe this? Have you ever been to Manhattan. Stratford is nothing like Manhattan and never will be. So stop these stupid comparisons. Can't you think of anything more imaginative to say.
And to all the moaners - there are plenty of people who can afford to buy properties there and to shop there. Don't you think these companies have don't their research? Companies like John Lewis wouldn't be setting up there if they didn't think they could make a profit.
- Steve Jones, London, 22/03/2010 17:17
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Have people learned nothing? If all the investment in infrastructure and amenities goes through it will 'gentrify' the area pushing up house prices and forcing out locals as Canary Wharf did. What sort of legacy is that? Although going back to Stratford after 15yrs it seems the government have done a fantastic job of displacing the local populace already.
- Mark, London, 22/03/2010 11:05
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Regarding worries about costs of shopping at John Lewis and Waitrose. These two stores, both owned by John Lewis Partnership, provide superior value for money, high levels of informed service, good staff training, and their staff are partners, which means they have a say in how the stores are run and share in any profits. These stores actively seek to source ethical products and in the case of Waitrose to source real genuine British food, supporting this country and providing good jobs. They are worth visiting. As for the general area, I went to Stratford the other day, and had to doge many spitting people. And walking around the residential parts, the dominance of heavy trafficked roads and cheap fast food (often smelly) outlets was evident. It was sad to see how original architecture has been ruined, with unappealing looking concrete front areas, and ill proportioned replacement windows and doors – it looked depressing. But self inflicted.
- Helen, norwich, 19/03/2010 15:09
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You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear, no matter how much money you throw at an area.
Trash area with trashy people living in all the surrounding areas.
- Daisy Willets, London SW1P, 19/03/2010 14:21
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Mina, having grew up (and still residing) in East-London, you may have noticed the small number of developments taking place at Canary Wharf (a 15 trip on the DLR). And take a look at some of the house prices in Bow/Mile End - no shortage of money there.
And you may not know anyone who will be able to shop there, but you may know someone who can get a job there. Let John Lewis worry about where to find their customers!
- Martin, LOndon, 19/03/2010 13:38
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Having grew up (and still residing) in East-London, I am pretty familiar with Stratford and the local demographic. If I recall correctly, the proposed Westfield shopping centre will house a John Lewis department store and a Waitrose – how are local people supposed to afford to shop there? I’m sure this will cater for those coming to visit the Olympic Park etc. who, I imagine, will have money or be willing to spend a little extra for a ‘special occasion’. However, when we talk about the Olympic ‘legacy’ and giving something back to the local community, I do not know anyone who will be able to shop there! And yes, I have spoken to local people about this. A bit out of touch with reality in my opinion.
- Mina Murray, London, England, 19/03/2010 13:01
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Yep thats right add hundreds of hotel rooms thousands of houses, shops and offices, make the place look bright and cheery then just enjoy a peek down the high street to look at the traffic jams that will be created, because they havn't done anything about putting in more roads to accomodate everyone. Replacing Road and pavements does not always "breathe in fresh life" to the area.
- Mr S.Port, London, 19/03/2010 12:12
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Dream on. Stratford is more like Dodge City than the Big Apple. Roll over the Olympics. A complete vanity project guaranteed to waste our money. And the happy clappers who support its drug-fuelled existence won't even be able to get tickets. A shot in the arm for the East End? Yes months of paralysis for 'ordinary' Londoners trying to get about or enjoy a stroll in Greenwich Park. The legacy is a mountain of debt for most whilst a few take a bow at the top table. Well fed, well paid and well out of there once it has all gone pear-shaped. Stratford...the Big Pear?
- Bart, London, England, 19/03/2010 11:42
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Great news for the area, roll on the olympics
- David, London, 19/03/2010 10:25
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