Newham's Thames
Barrier leaves other tourist attractions high and dry
Two Newham attractions have been
highlighted as must-sees for tourists in London.
The Thames Barrier and the Olympic 2012 site - much of
which is in Newham - were named in the top 100 tourist attractions
by Visit London, the official visitor organisation for the
capital.
Cllr Jo Corbett, Newham Council's Executive Member for Culture,
said: "We are delighted that Newham has been recognised in this
prestigious campaign. We are home to the Thames Barrier - one of
London's most iconic structures - and yet that is just the tip of
the iceberg when it comes to tourist attractions and ambitious
regeneration projects in this borough."
They include:
• The Royal Docks. This is fringed with striking landmarks
including the Thames Barrier. The table on which the Abolition of
Slavery Act was signed is in Newham's heritage collection and is
currently on loan to the Docklands Museum.
• Green Street. One of Britain's most celebrated Asian shopping
centres. The most authentic curries outside the sub-continent,
dazzling fabrics and a soundtrack of classical Indian, Bollywood
and Bhangra music. Also home to West Ham United Football
Club.
• Stratford is preparing to welcome over a million visitors to the
2012 Olympics. It is on the brink of a major transformation thanks
to the blossoming of its cultural quarter and bold plans for
Straford City.
These include a new £4bn metropolitan centre, with more than 100
shops and three big department stores.There will be a new
commercial district with landmark towers and leisure facilities.
New urban districts will house an extra 11,000 residents and 30,000
workers. It will also house most of the 2012 Olympic
athletes.
Cllr Corbett added: "Visit London's recognition clearly shows that
Newham is a go-ahead borough, a real place of progress. Stratford
International station will open soon and work on Stratford City and
the Olympic and Paralympic sites is under way. This regeneration is
at the forefront of progressing Newham's priorities - even in
today's tough economic climate."
The campaign theme was developed following Visit London's
extensive research into the city's key visitor markets.