Can you imagine a city the size of London without a proper sewage system? In the 19th century, London was a city grappling with its own waste. Standing right here, on the Greenway, you are looking at a testament to the ingenuity of Joseph Bazalgette. The Northern Outfall Sewer is a marvel of engineering, built to solve a major crisis in London’s history – the Great Stink of 1858. The stench of raw sewage filling the air, particularly around the Houses of Parliament, was unbearable. This sewer, designed by Bazalgette, was part of a network that redirected the city’s sewage away from the River Thames to a treatment plant. The Northern Outfall Sewer stretches four and a half miles from Wick Lane in East London to the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. The massive project involved constructing huge embankments and bridges to carry the sewer. You are standing on one of those embankments, now beautifully landscaped as a public footpath and cycleway. The Greenway doesn’t shy away from its past; the signage is made of old sewer pipes. In 1931, it even became a temporary home to a rather distinguished visitor – Mahatma Gandhi. He liked taking early morning walks along the embankment, appreciating the views and interacting with the locals. Today, the Northern Outfall Sewer plays an important role in London’s infrastructure, silently carrying away its waste. It is a testament to Bazalgette’s vision, engineering prowess, and the importance of clean water for a healthy city.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to