Beckton: A green and diverse district of Newham

Beckton is an urban district located in East London. It is part of the borough of Newham. It has often received a bad reputation over the years, due to its reputation for anti-social behaviour and crime.

At one time it was reported that more than 60 per cent of the children living there grew up in poverty, while the locality itself has been rated the tenth most deprived. 

It used to be that Beckton was mentioned with a little bit of a grimace due to its poor reputation.

However, all of that is beginning to change. While it is true there are still some undesirable areas of the district, Beckton has flourished after years of regeneration and investment by the local authority.

It is a district that is still growing and is fast becoming popular among professionals and families on a range of different incomes.

History

The area  is named after Simon Adams Beck, the governor of the Gas Light and Coke Company.

It used to be an unpopulated marshland until major infrastructure was developed to support the ever-growing City of London.

In the 19th century, housing was created in Beckton for workers of the gas and sewage works.

At its peak, the area supplied gas to over four million people in London. It also produced manufacturing by-??products such as creosote, fertilisers, inks and dyes. It was not until the switch to natural gas in the 1960s that the works were scaled down.

Between 1981 and 1995 it was included as part of the London Docklands Development area, which brought a wave of new arrivals to the district and sparked the building of new homes.

Green spaces and attractions

Despite being a densely populated district, Beckton has a plethora of green landscapes and parks.

In fact, nearly ten per cent of the borough of Newham is comprised of green landscapes and more than 20 parks fall within its boundaries. This means there are plenty of spaces for outdoor activities and events.

One of the most prominent parks in Beckton is the District Park North, which is a grassland with scattered trees, areas of natural woodland, a lake with a large island, a children's playground, a basketball court, toilets and a car park.

It is also a surprisingly quiet area, adjacent to the River Thames with a number of nice places to go for a jog or a walk.

Diversity

Beckton is one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse boroughs in the UK and over the last decade or so it has experienced waves of immigration from Eastern Europe, Africa and other parts of the world.

All of this has helped to contribute to the cultural influences of the area and the local economy.

Amenities

One of the great things about living in the area is its close proximity to major shopping centres and out-of-town retail facilities.

Thanks to the excellent transport links, it is quick and easy to travel out to different parts of the city and explore the rest of London. In this area, property prices are affordable and there is a good choice of supermarkets.

It also offers good sports facilities and recreational centres.

Population

The area is predominantly home to young professionals, single people and students. However, over the years, it has become more and more of an attractive prospect to young families as well.

If you are young, have kids, or are working, then Beckton is the best place to be because of the accessibility of schools, transport, childcare facilities, and holiday activity. 

It is also very green and close to the countryside, so it represents a nice break away from the usual hustle and bustle of London.

There are many primary and secondary schools in the area, which gives parents a nice variety to choose from.

In addition, the University of East London Docklands Campus is situated in the Cyprus area of Beckton and has been there since 1999.

Published 18th July, 2014

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