Route from Stratford Station to Canary Wharf...

pburton

I'm changing jobs in October and I'm going to miss my rural commute! I'm looking for a reasonably stress-free route from Stratford Station to Canary Wharf. Plan is to train down from Suffolk with a folder... The TfL cycle route maps don't offer any obvious solutions - just wondered if any one has any local knowledge of a route that's reliable? Any help greatly appreciated!

ScumOfTheRoad

I was going to suggest the TfL cycle map, but you've had a look.

Looking at the map myself, there doesn't seem to be much hope of a quiet route between Stratford Station and Abbey Lane where the Greenway crosses the A118.
I would take the A118 to the point where the path marked Three Mills Wall river ends.
Take that route down past Three Mills and continue along the spit of land which contains the locks and has a concrete staircase. At that point you are at the floating bridge which cuts under the A12 and leads you onto the Limehouse Cut towpath.
Leave the towpath at Chrisp Street and follow down to Poplar High Street and across Aspen Way. There is a footbridge at the DLR if I'm not wrong, and then you are at Canary Wharf.
Alternatively, but longer, stay on the Limehouse Cut to Limehouse Basin and come in that way.

Would be wary on any towpath after dark though.

pburton

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated. Why wary of towpaths after dark? Collision/falling in risk - or something more sinister?

ScumOfTheRoad

Errr... the Poplar/Limehouse area is classic East End London.

I can't say that I have heard of specific incidents on the towpaths to be honest, but it pays to be aware of what's round about you.

pburton

Thanks - and apologies. In retrospect, a bit of a naive question from a London-born lad!

Clever Pun

pburton wrote:

Thanks for the advice - much appreciated. Why wary of towpaths after dark? Collision/falling in risk - or something more sinister?

I only ever saw rats on it... but you'd need good lights as it gets a bit spooky