Editing Thamesmead (section)

=== Problems with the Estate ===

==== Lack of Public Transport ====
Despite early proposals for the [[Jubilee Line Extension]] to go to Thamesmead,<ref name="michaelcollins.info"/> via the [[Isle of Dogs]] and the [[Royal Docks]], Thamesmead was not included and after reaching the [[Greenwich Peninsula]], the line heads north to [[Stratford, London|Stratford]] (via [[Canning Town]] and [[West Ham]]), despite Stratford also being on the major Central line tube link into London. The main reason cited for this decision was that many workers in [[Canary Wharf]] lived in Essex and could change from [[National Rail]] to the Jubilee line at Stratford and [[West Ham]].

Thamesmead is also cut-off from the north of the River Thames and is in the centre of the {{Convert|15|mi|km|adj=on}} gap between the [[Blackwall Tunnel]] and the [[Dartford Tunnel]]/[[QE2 Bridge]]. Various proposals have been made for a new river crossing, the closest of which was in the late 1980s, when there was a controversial proposal to alter the shape of London's South Circular inner orbital road to run through Oxleas Woods. Houses in [[Plumstead]] were compulsorily purchased but the plans fell through. Since then, Thamesmead has grown significantly, limiting the number of potential sites for a new river crossing.

==== Lack of Public Amenities ====
The most significant design failure was the almost complete lack of shopping facilities and banks: only a few "corner shops" were initially built at Tavy Bridge. From the start Thamesmead was cut-off from [[Abbey Wood]], the nearest town with shopping facilities, by a railway line; however a four-lane road bridge was built over the railway in the early 1970s. The area was then cut in two by the A2016, a new four-lane dual carriageway by-pass of the Woolwich to Erith section of the A206 (although this road only got as far as the industrial part of lower Belvedere: the extension to Erith was opened in 1999). Still, residential building continued, this time on the other side of the A2016, which cut this part of Thamesmead off from rail travel to central London.  Over time more facilities developed, with a Morrisons supermarket and retail park near Gallions Reach. Bus services were improved and residents can now easily reach Abbey Wood railway station.

'''Architectural Shortcomings'''

Thamesmead was designed around modern, futuristic ideas, and indeed, looked impressive at first from a distance. It  provided walkways between its blocks of homes and later between sections in North Thamesmead. However, the multi-levelled streets and bridges were confusing and crime-friendly.They were not considered safe places to walk. Moreover, pathways set out for people to walk on were put in without regard to how people would wish to get about, so some were ignored in favour of more direct routes over grassed areas.