I am the chairman of the LDDC (London Docklands Development Corporation). In the 1980's we were present with this huge space of derelict land - the London docklands. My job is to do with the planning and redevelopment of the docklands and over these years LDDC have been responsible for such things as the light railway and the canary wharf, isle of dog's. The LDDC have reclaimed over 728 hectares of derelict land, planted over 160,000 trees, open up 130 hectares of open space and opened 17 conservation parks and area's. The improved transport in the area means that central London can now be reached in only 10 minuets, the docklands light railway carries over 320,000 passengers a week over its 29km of track. The railway now connects with Bank and Monument underground stations, eastwards to Bekton and southwards to Lewisham.The city airport built at the royal docks handled over half a million passengers in 1998; this also shows how much the transport has been improved by us in the London docklands area. There have been another 135km of new roads built in the area as well as a new link to the M11. Estimates have shown that employment and businesses in the area have both doubled between 1981 and 1996. Employment has risen from 27,000 to 69,975 and business from 1000 to 2400. There have been lots of new high tech firms and businesses move into the area such as the ITV studios and the Guardian and Telegraph newspaper studios. The London docklands is now a magnificent site with its huge 245-metre tower on canary wharf.Over all the new London docklands is a projection of what London really be and a demonstration of what we can achieve at LDDC. ...
