My Photographs
In 1981, there were still a few timberyards working, and some were still
loading barges with sawn planks, but traffic on the navigation had virtually
ceased.
Close to the mouth of the river at Bow Creek sand and gravel was still being
unloaded, and there appeared to be some repair work on some small ships moored
there.
Most of the industries on the banks of the navigation were still working,
with a fair amount of noise, leaking steam from pipe-joints and occasionally
unpleasant smells and discharges into the river.
Other than me, there were relatively few people on the tow path along most
of its length. The occasional athlete in training had found a useful car-free
path; close to some urban centres the occasional dog was being walked. In
one or two places drinkers from nearby pubs spilled out over the path at lunchtimes
and early evenings, but there were long stretches where I met nobody.
Away from the main navigation on the side paths and by the river, many of
the paths were overgrown, impassable unless you were ready to hack through
the brambles and push aside the stinging nettles. A pair of secatuers became
an essential accessory, and the Manfrotto tripod I carried sometimes came
in useful to slash a path through the jungle.
more black and white pictures
Picture sections
1980s: b/w colour
1990s (to follow)
2000+ colour
Index by Location (to follow)
All photographs on this site are
© 1980-2010 Peter Marshall.
Pictures are available for commercial use - please email
me,
for terms.
Permission is normally granted for suitable non-commercial
use without cost - please email the above address. I also welcome comments
and questions about the work.
32c31: Clapton, 1982
32c42:
32c45
32d55: Ferry Lane Wharf, 1982
32f16: Stratford, 1982
32k46: Bronco Ltd, Atlas Works, Berkshire Road, Hackney Wick, 1982
32k53: Clapton Park Estate, 1982
32k64: Clapton, 1982
32u65: Lee Navigation, Clapton, Aug 1982
32u52: Lee Navigation, Clapton, Aug 1982
32u64: Lee Navigation, Clapton, Aug 1982
32v-14.jpg: Stratford
32v-22 Stratford
more pictures
All pictures © 1970-2005, Peter Marshall.
Contact Peter Marshall
for permission for use, high res files and fees.
The River Lea
London's Second River
The River Lea (or Lee) from source to mouth