Hackney Wick
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hackney Wick is an area in the London Borough of Hackney in North East London. It is an inner-city development situated 5 miles (8 km) north east of Charing Cross. It is not especially close to Hackney Central, the historic centre of Hackney Borough (something that often confuses visitors).
It is in the far east of the borough on the edge of the planned 2012 Olympic Park and near the boundary with the London Boroughs of Newham, Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets.
The Lee Navigation and the Hertford Union Canal come to a junction at Hackney Wick and it is at the southern tip of Hackney Marshes. The River Lee is nearby and it forms part of the Lower Lea Valley.
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[edit] History
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Wick was a thriving well-populated industrial zone, as the Hackney Wick First World War memorial in Victoria Park testifies (see picture right)—the lower part of the stele is densely inscribed on all four faces with the names of Wick men who died in that conflict.
The world's first true synthetic plastic, parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes, was manufactured here from 1866 to 1868, though sadly, Parkes' company failed due to high production costs - he was simply too far ahead of his time.
Prior to 'modern times', Hackney Wick was an area prone to periodic flooding. The construction of the canals and relief channels on the River Lee alleviated that and allowed the development of the area. In historic times, the marshes were used extensively for grazing, and there was limited occupation around the 'great house' at Hackney Wick. This area then, and the history of the marshes were a part of Lower Homerton.
Hackney Wick station was the scene of the first railway murder. The victim, Thomas Biggs of 5 Clapton Square, was returning from dining with his niece, in Peckham, in July 1864 and had the misfortune to meet his murderer on the train. Two clerks discovered a compartment sticky with blood at Hackney Wick, but Franz Muller had slipped away unnoticed to return to his lodgings at 16 Park Terrace. The body was discovered on the line between Bow and Hackney Wick, and a hat, belonging to Muller was discovered in the compartment. In the next few days, a Cheapside jeweller came forward with Biggs' missing watch and chain, and a description of Muller. The theft was to pay for Muller's emigration to America, and he departed soon after on the Victoria, but the police went to New York, by a faster boat, and were awaiting his arrival in New York. He was returned to England and hanged at Newgate Prison.[1]
[edit] Modern times
In recent post-industrial times, Hackney Wick has lost most of its industry and much of its population. Its greyhound stadium, well-known throughout the East End, has been long closed, even for car boot sales.
There are signs of revival, though. Not only should the area benefit from the future 2012 Olympics develpoment, but London's artistic community, increasingly forced out of the old warehousing and industrial zones to the south of Hackney borough and in Tower Hamlets by rising rents, are taking an interest in the more affordable industrial buildings out at the Wick. Odd as it may seem now, perhaps by 2012 it may already be regarded as the new Hoxton.
[edit] Future
The first stage in preparing the area for use as the 2012 Olympic Park will be the removal of the pylons that run from here to Canning Town.
Due its proximity to the Olympic Park, Hackney Wick is receiving (2006, onwards) community and public realm development grants. This should further contribute to improvements in the area.
Conversely, concerns have been raised over some of the local effects of the Olympic Park development, including the potential impact to the future of the century-old Manor Garden Allotments, which has inspired a vocal community campaign.
[edit] Reference
- ^ London Murders accessed 21 Jan 2007
[edit] Transport
[edit] Nearest places
[edit] Train stations
- Hackney Wick railway station
- Stratford International station (under construction) will be the main access point for the nearby 2012 Olympic Park
[edit] Bus
The area is also a local public transport hub with several bus routes, including the 388, terminating near to Hackney Wick railway station. Both the 30 bus, involved in the 7 July 2005 London bombings, and the 26 bus, involved in the 21 July 2005 London bombings were heading to Hackney Wick.
[edit] Road
Hackney Wick is connected to the National Road Network, with the A12 Eastway (completed late 1990s), and East Cross Route linking the area with the Blackwall Tunnel (1960s).
The area has one of the few River Lee crossing points, and this leads to severe congestion at times of the day. Parking is likely to become more restrictive, both during the construction phase, and during the Olympic games.
[edit] Walking and cycling
Hackney Wick is on the Capital Ring walking route, much of which is accessible to cyclists. The River Lee, and local canals, have a tow path which is accessible for both walking and cycling. The River Lee provides a continuous route to Hertfordshire for the particularly determined.
Some towpaths in the area may have restricted use during construction and the period of the Olympic games
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- History of Hackney Wick (at British History Online)
| Section 13: | Capital Ring Walking Route | Section 14: |
|---|---|---|
| Stoke Newington | Hackney Wick | Beckton |
