The Greenwich Meridian

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After WW2, the Export Dock at the East India Docks was filled in and the Brunswick Wharf Power Station built. It ceased generating in 1984 and apart from the Switch House, was demolished in 1988–89. In 1987, the Richard Rogers Partnership drew up a masterplan for the area, which incorporated a ‘feature marking’ of the Meridian Line. This part of the site was later developed by Barratt Homes. The 1990s image set shows the model made by Acanthus LW Architects in which the proposed treatment of the Meridian Line can be clearly seen. In the event, the plans were altered, resulting in the marking that exists today. The first phase incorporating a short avenue of 30 trees ran south from Newport Avenue to the River Thames. Some of these subsequently died and were later replaced. The avenue ended with an area of circular paving containing a small compass pointer just short of the river. This was enhanced with a full compass rose in coloured paviers in 2008. The second phase dates from 2006 and extended the line northwards from Newport Avenue to Blackwall Way. It was further extended under the Docklands Light Railway in 2008. The line runs roughly two metres to the west of the Bradley Meridian. The majority of the bronze strip delineating the meridian between Newport Avenue and Blackwall Way was stolen in 2012.

In 2010, the Council proposed that the tree lined avenue should be given the name Prime Meridian Walk as the adjacent flats in Studley Court did not have an entrance onto a named road. Following a period of consultation, the walkway was renamed and a road sign erected.