Footpath 47 is a public footway in Barking & Dagenham, running east–west along the Thames and north up to the Gores Brook. The path is valued for its unpaved, estuarine solitude—a rare open stretch beside the Thames river.Amid concerns over transparency and growing distrust, locals are left questioning whether current development plans serve the community’s well being or primarily benefit private interests. Residents protest to protect Barking Riverside’s Natural Footpath from getting concretized.
Ripple Nature Reserve
A design which has been completed by Arkwood which has been completed for a new Ripple Nature Design as a result of campaigning and shared partnership working.
The Ripple Effect has been campaigning alongside the Friends of the Ripple Nature Reserve (RNR) and RNR Committee. Some of our members have attended a number of consultations with the landscape architects, Arkwood and attended some of the steering groups meetings with stakeholders National Grid, UK Power Networks, LBBD Parks Team, BRL and other notable organisations.
A small win with the Friends of Nature Reserve has been that the newly made cycle pathway connecting Thames View to Barking Riverside station has been diverted to the perimeter of the Nature Reserve. Whilst BRL and other stakeholders considered the idea to increase connectivity to Riverside Station from the older parts of the BRL Estate and Thames View- The Ripple Effect Group felt as though this level of concrete would significantly damage the ecology. We want this to remain as a protected Site of Metropolitan Importance.
As long as the nature reserve remains closed out out the public use, it becomes a dumping ground for fly tipping. We need this to end- the council and residents cannot keep putting time and resource into clearing the adverse affects of flytipping.
The Design Proposals for the Ripple Nature Reserve goes to cabinet in October, where LBBD may agree towards re-opening the reserve. The Ripple Effect thinks this is taking far too long, as after 8 long years, the reserve remains closed to the general public. We do not want to wait to have it open. We feel residents can manage the Giant Hogsweed and Japanese Knotweed with signage which is done in other part of the borough and London.We want a resident group to manage the reserve, and we believe community activation and ownership will ensure the reserve remains open and a place to visit for generation to come.