Walbrook Wharf facts for kids
Walbrook Wharf is a busy dock area in the Port of London, located right in the heart of the City of London, next to Cannon Street station. It's a very important place for moving goods and has a special "safeguarded wharf" status. This means the Mayor of London and the Port of London Authority (PLA) want to make sure it stays open and active for shipping.
What is Walbrook Wharf Used For?
Walbrook Wharf acts as a special station for waste. The City of London Corporation owns it, and a company called Cory Environmental runs it. Rubbish from central London is brought here and then loaded onto large boats called barges. These barges then carry the waste down the River Thames to the Belvedere Incinerator in the London Borough of Bexley. This incinerator burns the waste to create energy, which is a way to get rid of rubbish and make electricity at the same time!
History of Walbrook Wharf
Long ago, Walbrook Wharf was set up like a small harbor or "dock" where boats could pull in. However, over time, the way goods are moved changed. Now, many things are shipped in large containers. Because of this, the old dock area was filled in to make more space for loading and unloading these modern containers.
This area is also historically important because it's where an ancient stream, the Walbrook, used to flow into the River Thames. This specific spot was also known as Dowgate in the past.
Can You Walk Along Walbrook Wharf?
There is a riverside path that runs right along Walbrook Wharf. Most of the time, people can walk along this path and enjoy the views of the Thames. However, the path is closed to walkers only when waste is being transferred onto the barges. This is for safety reasons, to make sure everyone stays clear when the big loading operations are happening.
