Original post:
The Capital Ring follows the Greenway for 5km (3 miles). From October 2025 until autumn 2028, the Greenway will be closed between Channelsea Path/ Manor Road and Upper Road as Thames Water are carrying out vital repairs to the Northern Outfall Sewer (NOS). The NOS runs from Wick Lane in Bow to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works and serves over five million people.
We were first alerted to the longterm closures affecting the Greenway by the London blogger Diamond Geezer. His blog post includes a useful summary map with dates.
This page on the Thames Water web site explains the reasons for the closures and describes detours for pedestrians and cyclists - but these are not ideal for walkers along the Capital Ring, so please consider our suggestions.
Capital Ring Volunteers suggest one of the following two routes for the 3 year closure between Channelsea Bridge and Upper Road. The two options are also described on the map below.
Option 1, 1.2 miles
Leave the Greenway by the steps or ramp on the left, to arrive at the pelican crossing on Abbey Road, where you cross. Turn right. Pass Abbey Road DLR on the left. Continue over the long bridge to the lights. Cross back over Abbey Road, then cross Leywick Street on left into Mitre Road. Follow to the lights at Manor Road.
Cross and turn left briefly, before turning right into Stephen’s Road, which you follow to the end. Turn right into Plaistow Road. Walk along Plaistow Road, passing shops and cafés. After Plaistow Station (café with toilet and supermarket,) take the next right into Upper Road and walk along it until you reach the Greenway, where you turn left to rejoin it.
Option 2, 1.7 miles
Leave the Greenway by the steps or ramp on the left, to arrive at the pelican crossing on Abbey Road, where you cross. Turn right. Pass Abbey Road DLR on the left. Continue over the long bridge to the lights. Cross back over Abbey Road, Turn right down Leywick Street, then first right Pond Road. Follow round to the left. Go through a pedestrianised area and carefully cross to turn right down Manor Road. After passing under two large bridges, and one pedestrian bridge, turn left at West Ham Station.
Here there are shops and a café, (Monday to Saturday till 3 pm, no toilet.) Walk down Memorial Ave. Turn right down Celandine Way. Enter West Ham Memorial Park on your left. Take the first tarmac path on the right, to pass to the right of two small mounds. Pass the children’s climbing area. Turn right to exit the Park into Ronald Ave. Turn left into Gainsborough Road. This becomes Grange Rd. Continue to junction, where you turn left, (still Grange Road.) Pass the entrance to East London Crematorium and Cemetery on your left
Follow the road to the end, where it bends to the left and becomes Upper Road. Pass the Cemetery on your left to rejoin the Greenway on the right.
