Woolwich to Isle of Grain riverside path opens
A continuous 47-mile riverside path is now open between Woolwich and the Isle of Grain.
The path is part of National Trail’s coastal paths and starts at Woolwich foot tunnel.
The path meets the Thames Path National Trail to the west of the foot tunnel. A section is closed as Mast Quay tower construction continues.
I passed it this week and at least one of two towers have topped out. Upon completion an improved Thames Path should be in evidence opening a stretch for the first time in decades.
If you make it the 47 miles to Grain, it’s currently not the easiest return via public transport though that should change with consultation under way on a new passenger rail service.
Take a look here for details. It will bring passenger services back to the line for the first time since the 1960s, though plans have been heavily revised back between January 2021 and December 2021.
Between Woolwich and Grain there is the recently upgraded paths along the Thames from Woolwich to Thamesmead and towards Erith and then Dartford. Swanscome Peninsula follows where a giant theme park is planned.
It seems like every time the path is ‘opened’ there’s more construction in the planning which has the potential to close sections again. Forthcoming concerns include Morden Wharf in Greenwich and the proposed ‘theme park’ further out. There should (must) be a way of protecting constant access to a riverside path during any future construction. No reason why developers can’t be forced to do so, they make enough money from these riverside developments, and few (if any) ease our so called ‘housing crisis’ (we’ve never been without one here, it simply fluctuates as yet more and more are drawn to the capital despite having nowhere to live!!) due to the high market values of riverside property almost anywhere in the world, let alone London. So can we expect such controls to be put in place by our planning consent authorities?? Or are they more interested in getting stuff built at anyones expense, let alone our local environment (35 story towers due in close proximity to our world heritage centre- a scandal nothing less than.)
I think the claim that there’s a continuous path by the river Thames is a little optimistic and not quite accurate. There’s a half mile stretch around Erith where you have to walk alongside the traffic in Manor Road. And when you get to the mouth of the river Darent, you have to go inland for a couple of miles and then out again for another couple, there being no way of crossing the Darent unless the flood barrier there has suddenly been opened to the public. There’s also a section before you get to Gravesend where you have to stick to roads that aren’t too near to the Thames at all, though it’s a fair while since I walked that bit, so things could have changed. The section between Gravesend and Allhallows is interesting and remote. For those who’ve never been, take your own food and water as it’s about 15 miles without any amenities whatsoever.
The section between the canal basin at Gravesend and Marks Lane is currently closed because of the dumping of huge quantities of old tyres (and has been for weeks). Disgraceful.
I agree Derek, closure of the path should be kept to a minimum. Why can’t the council insist on constant access, who can we speak to about this?
I think, Eastwards, it’s a case of reporting the concerns to your local councillor and request the issue to be raised in council meetings. The more who show concern the more likely the path could remain open the full stretch
Did Greenhithe to Denton today quite a few diversions but all well directed if you stop and read the diversions signs.
If I do Denton to Allhallows is there any public transport way back to Gravesend ?
There’s a 191 bus that goes back to Strood, and of course you can get a train from there to Gravesend. Google 191 Allhallows and you should be able to access a timetable.