Locale: Beckton
An area of East London, lying within the London Borough of Newham.
Beckton was built up in the late 19th century to provide housing for people working at Beckton Gasworks. The gasworks closed in 1969, but the area is still expanding as part of the Thames Gateway developments. There is also a large sewage works.
Beckton is a quiet residential area with large shopping centres, one close to Beckton DLR station and one at Gallions Reach. The focal point is a large square with Asda on one side, Kingsford School on another and Beckton library and adult education centre (Beckton Globe) on the third. The only pub in Beckton is attached to the Asda precinct.
Although the town centre is situated near Beckton DLR station, the area of Beckton extends as far west as Prince Regent Lane. Other features of the area include the University of East London campus at Cyprus and Newham City Farm in West Beckton. In the 1980s, Beckton had a popular dry ski slope still known as the Beckton Alp(s), but this is now derelict.
Beckton is well-served by the DLR, with stations in Beckton, Gallions Reach, Cyprus and West Beckton. There are also buses to Stratford, East Ham and Barking.
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