Surrey Quays
Encyclopedia
Surrey Quays is a name given to a largely residential area of Rotherhithe
in south-east London
, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks
. The precise boundaries of the area are somewhat amorphous, but it is generally reckoned to comprise the southern half of the Rotherhithe peninsula from Canada Water
to South Dock; electorally, Surrey Docks is the eastern half of the peninsula. The Docks are called Surrey Docks because until 1900 the borders of Surrey and Kent met in this area.
After the closure of the docks, the area remained derelict for over a decade, with much of the warehousing demolished and over 90% of the docks filled in. The only surviving areas of open water were Greenland Dock
, South Dock, remnants of Canada Dock (renamed Canada Water
) and Norway Dock, and a basin renamed Surrey Water. In 1981, the Conservative
government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
established the London Docklands Development Corporation
to redevelop the former dockyard areas of east London, including the Surrey Docks.
A massive building programme took place in the area during the late 1980s and early 1990s with 5,500 new homes being built, ranging from individual detached housing to large apartment complexes, such as Baltic Quay
. South Dock was converted into a marina
- now the largest in London - and a watersports centre was constructed on Greenland Dock
. The northern part of Canada Water and the infilled Russia Dock became wildlife reserves. Leisure facilities and a number of light industrial plants were also built, notably a new printing works for Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the London Evening Standard
and the Daily Mail
. A further phase of development at Canada Water is scheduled to begin around 2005.
The Surrey Quays area acquired its current name in 1989 when the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre was built on the infilled southern part of Canada Water, and the nearby London Underground
station Surrey Docks was renamed Surrey Quays. The de facto renaming of the area was controversial at the time and was unpopular with many of the local community, who felt that their heritage was being erased. Although "Surrey Docks" is still the name of the electoral ward, in practice the name "Surrey Quays" is more often used, including in official signage.
There is a sailing centre called Surrey Docks Watersports Centre.
on the Jubilee Line
, and the nearest London Overground station
is Surrey Quays.
Greenland Dock Pier
is the nearest place for boarding London River Services
, operated by Thames Clippers.
Rotherhithe
Rotherhithe is a residential district in inner southeast London, England and part of the London Borough of Southwark. It is located on a peninsula on the south bank of the Thames, facing Wapping and the Isle of Dogs on the north bank, and is a part of the Docklands area...
in south-east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, occupied until 1970 by the Surrey Commercial Docks
Surrey Commercial Docks
The Surrey Commercial Docks were a large group of docks in Rotherhithe on the south bank of the Thames in South East London. The docks operated in one form or another from 1696 to 1969...
. The precise boundaries of the area are somewhat amorphous, but it is generally reckoned to comprise the southern half of the Rotherhithe peninsula from Canada Water
Canada Water
Canada Water is a freshwater lake and wildlife refuge in Rotherhithe in the Docklands in south-east London. Canada Water tube and bus station is named after the lake, and lies immediately to the north, while Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is also adjacent, sitting immediately to the south...
to South Dock; electorally, Surrey Docks is the eastern half of the peninsula. The Docks are called Surrey Docks because until 1900 the borders of Surrey and Kent met in this area.
After the closure of the docks, the area remained derelict for over a decade, with much of the warehousing demolished and over 90% of the docks filled in. The only surviving areas of open water were Greenland Dock
Greenland Dock
Greenland Dock is the oldest of London's riverside wet docks, located in Rotherhithe in the area of the city now known as Docklands. It used to be part of the Surrey Commercial Docks, most of which have by now been filled in...
, South Dock, remnants of Canada Dock (renamed Canada Water
Canada Water
Canada Water is a freshwater lake and wildlife refuge in Rotherhithe in the Docklands in south-east London. Canada Water tube and bus station is named after the lake, and lies immediately to the north, while Surrey Quays Shopping Centre is also adjacent, sitting immediately to the south...
) and Norway Dock, and a basin renamed Surrey Water. In 1981, the Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
established the London Docklands Development Corporation
London Docklands Development Corporation
The London Docklands Development Corporation was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its eighteen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an area of in the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets and...
to redevelop the former dockyard areas of east London, including the Surrey Docks.
A massive building programme took place in the area during the late 1980s and early 1990s with 5,500 new homes being built, ranging from individual detached housing to large apartment complexes, such as Baltic Quay
Baltic Quay
Baltic Quay is a large residential development, located in Surrey Quays in the London Borough of Southwark. Completed in 1989 during the London Docklands Development Corporation, it is largely known for its unique architecture, which won it awards from the London Docklands Development Corporation...
. South Dock was converted into a marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
- now the largest in London - and a watersports centre was constructed on Greenland Dock
Greenland Dock
Greenland Dock is the oldest of London's riverside wet docks, located in Rotherhithe in the area of the city now known as Docklands. It used to be part of the Surrey Commercial Docks, most of which have by now been filled in...
. The northern part of Canada Water and the infilled Russia Dock became wildlife reserves. Leisure facilities and a number of light industrial plants were also built, notably a new printing works for Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the London Evening Standard
Evening Standard
The Evening Standard, now styled the London Evening Standard, is a free local daily newspaper, published Monday–Friday in tabloid format in London. It is the dominant regional evening paper for London and the surrounding area, with coverage of national and international news and City of London...
and the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
. A further phase of development at Canada Water is scheduled to begin around 2005.
The Surrey Quays area acquired its current name in 1989 when the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre was built on the infilled southern part of Canada Water, and the nearby London Underground
London Underground
The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England...
station Surrey Docks was renamed Surrey Quays. The de facto renaming of the area was controversial at the time and was unpopular with many of the local community, who felt that their heritage was being erased. Although "Surrey Docks" is still the name of the electoral ward, in practice the name "Surrey Quays" is more often used, including in official signage.
There is a sailing centre called Surrey Docks Watersports Centre.
Transport and locale
The nearest London Underground station is Canada WaterCanada Water tube station
Canada Water station is a London Underground and London Overground station in Rotherhithe, in south London, UK. It takes its name from Canada Water, a lake which was created from a former dock in the London Docklands....
on the Jubilee Line
Jubilee Line
The Jubilee line is a line on the London Underground , in the United Kingdom. It was built in two major sections—initially to Charing Cross, in central London, and later extended, in 1999, to Stratford, in east London. The later stations are larger and have special safety features, both aspects...
, and the nearest London Overground station
London Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
is Surrey Quays.
Greenland Dock Pier
Greenland Dock Pier
Greenland Pier is a London River Services pier on the River Thames in London, UK. The pier is at the eastern end of Greenland Dock in the London Borough of Southwark, .-Services:...
is the nearest place for boarding London River Services
London River Services
London River Services is a division of Transport for London , which manages passenger transport on the River Thames in London, UK. They do not own or operate any boats but license the services of other operators...
, operated by Thames Clippers.