Poplar Dock facts for kids
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Poplar Dock is a small dock located in east London. It connects to the Blackwall Basin, which is part of the West India Docks. Even though it's connected to this system, Poplar Dock has never had a direct link to the River Thames.
Contents
History of Poplar Dock
Poplar Dock started out as a group of water reservoirs. These were built by the West India Dock Company and finished in 1828. Later, it was changed into a special dock for railways. This happened before London's enclosed dock systems were connected to the railway network.
Building the Railway Dock
The dock was built by a company called the East & West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway Company. This company later became known as the North London Railway Company. Poplar Dock was connected to the company's goods yard, which was located at Chalk Farm.
Staying Independent
Poplar Dock was unique because it remained outside the control of the Port of London Authority in 1909. Most other docks became part of this authority. Poplar Dock stayed owned by British Rail until it closed in 1981.
Early Uses of the Dock
Since Poplar Dock didn't have a direct connection to the River Thames, its operators needed permission from the West India Docks owners for certain uses. They had to make sure their activities didn't compete with the West India Docks' business. In its early years, Poplar Dock was mainly used to bring in coal from the Northeast of England.
Poplar Dock Today: A Modern Marina
Much of Poplar Dock still exists today. It serves as a place for boats to moor (tie up) and is connected to Blackwall Basin. Poplar Dock is now known as Poplar Dock Marina.
Opening of the Marina
The marina was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1999. Today, the marina has buildings overlooking it. To the south, you can see Landons Close, which is part of the Jamestown Harbour development. To the west, you can see Boardwalk Place.
See also
- Jamestown Harbour
