500 years - A brief History of the Royal Arsenal Woolwich, dockyard to the building of Thamesmead...

The Royal Arsenal Woolwich was a former British military establishment that was located in Woolwich, southeast London. It began in the 16th century and played a key role in supplying the British armed forces with weapons, ammunition, and other equipment for over 500 years. From Dockyard to building ships that defaulted the Spanish armada to proofing and manufacture.

The Arsenal was expanded and modernized over time, and at its peak, it covered an area of over 1,200 acres employing over 100,000 people, making it one of the largest industrial sites in the world and played a large role in the industrial revolution and many wars. During World War I and II, the Arsenal was a major manufacturing centre for weapons and munitions and was a main target of the German Luftwaffe bombers.

After the war, the Arsenal continued to be used for military purposes but gradually declined in importance as the British military's needs changed. In the 1960s, the government decided to close the Arsenal and redevelop the site for civilian use.

This led to the development of Thamesmead, a new town built on the banks of the River Thames. Construction began in the late 1960s, and the town was designed to provide affordable housing for London's growing population.

Thamesmead was a significant departure from traditional British urban planning, with its focus on high-density, modernist housing and pedestrian walkways. The new town was also intended to be a showcase for new ideas in urban design and planning.

However, the development of Thamesmead was not without its problems. The town was built on marshland, which made construction difficult, and its isolated location made it difficult to attract businesses and services.

Despite these challenges, Thamesmead continues to evolve and develop, and it remains an important part of the London landscape. The Royal Arsenal Woolwich, meanwhile, has been partially redeveloped for residential and commercial use, but much of the site remains derelict and undeveloped and is owned by Peabody who has a large riverfront plan for the future near the town centre.

Taken from the only copy from a poor quality video tape

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