Barking mad and up the Creek

A friend proposed that we go exploring around the Roding Valley in East London. He was brought up near Ilford so was keen to find out how the area has changed over the years. We cycling flaneurs originally planned our excursion for yesterday (Monday), but given the poor forecast, delayed until today. We got a bright morning, but it was cold, with a bitter North wind, with snow and sleet showers in the afternoon.

As usual, we met up at Waterloo station, and made our way via Southwark Bridge to the DLR station at Tower Gateway: this was much assisted by the newly opened sections of Cycle Superhighway 3, along which we sped past queuing traffic: brilliant.

We took the DLR to Beckton station (the DLR takes bikes outside rush hours). A map of our subsequent ride is here. From the station we followed the cycle path beside the A1020, then went down Eric Clarke Lane (this is 'no entry, except for buses': we took this to mean 'and bikes'). We found a very good path between the massive sewage works and the Cinema complex which led in turn to a track down Barking Creek to the Barrier: an impressive sluice gate hanging like a guillotine blade over the junction with the Thames. It appears the owners of the sewage works have been investing in improved access for the public: as well as the access paths, areas adjacent to the works have been converted to nature reserves.

After taking in the unusual views over the Thames towards Shooters Hill, we retraced our steps (wheel rotations?) until, just behind the Cinema, we branched off on a path beside the river and under the A13 flyover to reach a viewing area for the Barking Barrage. This was built in the 1990s, and comprises a weir to pen in the tidal waters, and adjacent gates to let boats in and out at high tide. The aim is to provide an attractive waterside as a centrepiece for the regeneration of this area of Barking.

We explored upstream from the Barrage: on the western bank, there is an access road away from the river, but the riverside itself is closed except to houseboat permit holders, so we crossed the Barrage and went up Abbey Road, passing Barking Abbey, before returning across Highbridge and the Mill Pool. Another riverside path took us through the Sainsbury's car park to a footbridge back onto the Eastern side.

From here we headed through the backstreets to Ilford: we diverted to see the town hall, but unfortunately it was clad in scaffolding, We stopped for a warming all-day breakfast in the cafe in Valentines Park, which was good timing as we were able to shelter from the first sleet of the afternoon. We had planned a more extensive exploration, but decided to cut it short given the inclement weather, so we hurried over to Wanstead Park before dropping down to Manor Park station, for a train back to Liverpool Street.