London Cable Car

Situated on the western edge of the Royal Victoria Dock, the London Cable Car is the first urban cable car in the UK. The London Cable Car runs from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks, passing over the River Thames and reaching a height of 90 m (300 ft). The cable car was opened in 2012, and the flight line stretches 1 km (0.62 miles), offering a unique and breathtaking perspective of the London skyline. The Royal Victoria Dock was opened in 1855 and at the time, was a marvel of Victorian engineering. It is the largest of three Royal docks that were developed upon the Plaistow Marshes, and it measures 4 km (2.5 miles) long and 13 m (42.7 ft) deep. It was once a bustling commercial waterway, that attracted trade and shipping from around the world. Another two Royal docks lie further east, and are named The Royal Albert and King George V docks. These docks were originally designed to accommodate tall sailing ships and the latest large stream ships. However, when modern container ships began to replace the stream power vessels late in the 20th century, the docks went into decline until they were finally closed in 1981. On the opposite side of the water is the Lord Mayor of London’s new City Hall office, previously known as the Crystal. This building was opened in 2012 and is now the headquarters of the Greater London Authority, replacing the older City Hall near Tower Bridge. The London docklands are constantly undergoing massive regeneration for both commercial and residential purposes, ensuring an ever changing and dramatic urban skyline.