London 2012 inspires ‘Water City’

The 'Water City' initiative aims to use the 2012 Games as a catalyst to bring the rivers and waterways of east London back to life.

Today's announcements follow the launch last week of the Lower Lea Valley Regeneration Strategy.

The River Lea runs from Hertfordshire to the River Thames, but for many years has been left derelict in an industrial area.

In 2012 and beyond the river will be at the centre of a new Olympic Park twice the size of Hyde Park.

Andrew Mawson, one of the leaders of the Water City initiative, said at today's launch:

"Our vision is to capture the entrepreneurial energy of east London's remarkable communities and enable them to co-create Water City and, in the process, transform the opportunities of east Londoners forever."

22 May 2006