Stop 2 - Waterworks River

Make sure your volume is on: "Waypoint 2 - Modern Park"

Show transcript

Chemical factories, heavy engineering, noxious products. The industrial part of Stratford’s history was not kind to the environment. When the site was surveyed in 2006 to begin planning the development they drilled over 3,000 test holes to collect soil samples. They found high levels of pollution and contamination – lead, arsenic, tar, cyanides, broken glass and general rubbish. The earth itself would have to be treated before construction could begin.

This was not unexpected – it was no secret that Stratford had been a dumping ground. The area just west of the London Aquatics Centre, near where the Lee and Stort cruisers were moored, was at one time called ‘fridge mountain’ as it held Europe’s largest collection of discarded fridges and freezers awaiting disposal.

The ground was sick – so they built two ‘Soil Hospitals’. Giant machines which could test tons of earth, treat it to neutralize or fix the harmful chemicals, and wash out other contaminants or debris, and leave behind healthy earth. Over 1.7 million cubic metres of soil was run through the treatment plant, setting new standards for successful soil recovery. By doing the soil cleaning on site rather than elsewhere the project’s carbon footprint was reduced as well.

To find the next waypoint, walk towards the London Stadium, but this time turn right before the bridge and go down the gentle slope towards City Mill River until you arrive at the orange climbing wall.