Thames Water helps Stratford’s The Greenway transformation

by Kay Atwal, Chief Reporter Saturday, September 8, 2012
10:00 AM

Walkers in The Greenway may have been forgiven for thinking they have walked onto a children’s play area but this colourful object is actually a water pump.

The water pump before its transformation

The bright and vibrant water pump, a relic of the industrial past, has been turned into a striking piece of art thanks to art collective Invisible Dust, with the help of Thames Water volunteers.

Formally used as a canvas for graffiti, the pump now stands proudly in the shadow of the Olympic Park. Mike Gunn, field services manager for Thames Water, said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of such a fantastic project. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the transformation and think that it is a great way to help the local community get involved in the renovation. The pump looks fantastic, it really brightens up the area.

“The transformation took place just in time for the Olympic Games, and makes a picturesque walk to the park for visitors, but more importantly, it also promises to be a pleasure for the residents of Newham for many years to come.”

Starting out as a neglected field, the area is now an important ecological corridor for people and wildlife, and a number of bird and bat boxes, restored wildflower meadows, insect loggeries and habitat hotels can be found.

The Greenway was given a make-over in a combined effort by Thames Water, the London 2012 Changing Places Programme, the Mayor of London’s Capital Clean-Up, London Wildlife Trust and art collective Invisible Dust.

The project is also part of Thames Water’s Ten for Ten initiative in which half of a £10 million fund will be endowed to a charitable trust to help disadvantaged customers in difficult circumstances and the other half spent on new community and educational activities.