East London Transit

East London Transit (ELT) is a part-segregated bus rapid transit, operated as part of the London Buses network. It was opened in phases between 2010 and 2013. The scheme has been developed by Transport for London due to the existing and anticipated demand for public transport in East London caused by the Thames Gateway redevelopment. The scheme has been planned to allow for a possible future upgrade to tram operation. It connects National Rail and London Underground, London Overground stations in the London boroughs of Havering, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham with major population centres, such as the Barking Riverside, currently only served by bus routes. There are proposals for a variety of extensions. The first stage of the scheme opened on 20 February 2010.

Services

There are two routes. EL1 replaced the previous 369 bus service and operated 24 hours a day between Thames View Estate and Ilford. EL1 has been extended from Thames View Estate to Barking Riverside. EL2 operates over the whole length of the phase 1 route between Dagenham Dock and Ilford. Bus route 179 was withdrawn between Ilford and Barking and was diverted to terminate at Ilford (Hainault Street) bus terminus.

Dagenham Dock

Coordinates: 51°31′31″N 0°08′35″E / 51.525353°N 0.143144°E / 51.525353; 0.143144

Dagenham Dock is a place in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in London, England. It is located to the south of Dagenham and on the River Thames. It was once the site of a large coaling port and continues to be the location of a small terminal licensed to handle coal off-loading. Today the site is used for a number of river-related uses including a 25 acres (100,000 m²) TDG (now Norbert Dentressangle) depot with around 200 tanks for storage of petrol, distillates, aviation fuel, biofuels, tallow, ethanol, fertilisers, urea etc.

History

The dock was constructed at the site of Dagenham Breach, an area of flooded marsh caused by the breaching of the sea wall in 1707, and repeatedly flooded in the 18th Century. After a number of failed attempts, in 1865 Sir John Rennie built a jetty and a branch railway, but the company failed financially. The site was acquired and Dagenham Dock was constructed over 30 acres (120,000 m²) from 1887 by Samuel Williams.

Becontree Heath

Coordinates: 51°33′49″N 0°09′09″E / 51.563595°N 0.152614°E / 51.563595; 0.152614

Becontree Heath (also spelt Beacontree Heath) is an open space in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. The name has also been applied to the local area, in particular to the RM8 postal district.

History

Becontree Heath functioned as the ancient meeting place for Becontree hundred, which covered much of what is now East London. In 1465, the hundred lost territory in the east and the meeting place became located on its fringe. When it was still a rural parish, Becontree Heath was a hamlet in Dagenham.

Geography

It is the location, at the corner of Rainham Road North and Wood Lane of Barking and Dagenham Civic Centre, an imposing Grade II listed 1930s art deco building designed by Ernest Berry Webber and the former town hall of Dagenham Borough Council.

It is the location of the high density Becontree Heath Estate, built by Barking London Borough Council from 1966 to 1970.

It is the location of a London Buses bus station with services to Chigwell, Canning Town, Romford, Beckton, Dagenham, Rainham, Chadwell Heath and Gallows Corner. Crowlands Heath Golf Club and Becontree Heath Leisure Centre are located here.