I was delighted to attend an event at Meath Gardens in Mile End yesterday, to celebrate the huge success of a new cycle route.
The route, which opened in October 2009, connects to the new Meath Bridge over Regent’s Canal. In a recent survey over a 4-day period, just under 6000 journeys were observed.
I was visiting to unveil a new piece of public artwork. The local community were asked to nominate three characters steeped in local history and their choices – Sylvia Pankhurst, Ledley King and a canal towpath horse – have been immortalised in steel sculptures.
It was a pleasure to meet Stepney-raised England footballer Ledley King, pictured above alongside his steel double, who joined me to unveil the exhibit.
I also spent some time in Victoria Park, opening the newly-refurbished Canal Gate and laying the final pavement slab of the Jubilee Greenway walk – which stretches links Victoria Park with the Olympic Park, with a number of historical attractions along the way. Part of our ambitious bid for the city status that will be awarded to one local authority to mark Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, the route’s definitely worth exploring.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman 