Royal Docks Waterways has published findings from its early-stage public engagement on the Vision for Royal Victoria Dock West. Nearly 400 local people took part across ten public sessions, sharing views and ideas that will feed directly into the next phase of the project.
Following the February announcement of the Vision to transform 12 hectares of water in East London into the capital’s largest floating destination, Royal Docks Waterways hosted ten public sessions in February and March, including drop-in events on the historic Thames sailing barge SB Will, moored in Royal Victoria Dock. The sessions generated 757 individual comments, which have been collated in an Early-Stage Engagement Report.
The engagement was designed to gather views, ideas, and priorities to help inform the development of each element of the Vision. Floating Wellness drew the most comments, with interest in open-water swimming, a floating lido, sauna and spa facilities, and in the continuation and expansion of well-loved existing activities, including wakeboarding and the Oiler Bar. The Royal Docks are already home to an established programme of controlled open-water swimming sessions and are among the largest expanses of enclosed water in London.
Alongside publishing the findings, Royal Docks Waterways has set out a series of commitments to keep local people involved as the project develops. A Local Steering Group made up of representative bodies will take part in design reviews through the feasibility and design phases. The organisation is also exploring a Community Review Panel – a paid role for residents to review proposals across the Royal Victoria area as they come forward – and has committed to a Community Chest, ringfencing a proportion of ongoing revenue for local investment in services, youth provision and future capital projects.
Procurement underway: next phase begins
The findings are also being used to shape the live procurement processes for both the Floating Wellness and Floating Residential projects, ensuring local priorities are built into the briefs from the outset rather than bolted on afterwards.
Shortlists have now been drawn up for both projects, with detailed proposals being invited from a small number of bidders in each case. For Floating Wellness, the aim is to appoint a preferred development partner in September 2026, to be in contract by the end of the year. The appointed partner will then take responsibility for design development, further public engagement, planning and delivery. For Floating Residential, a consultant team will be appointed in July 2026, to begin a nine-month feasibility study.
Scott Derben, Managing Director of Royal Docks Waterways, said: “We were really pleased that so many local people came along and took the time to share detailed views and ideas with us. People who love open water swimming, who watch the wakeboarding, or who have simply watched this part of East London change around them have a clear stake in what happens next, and we want their input to keep shaping the project as it develops. We have been clear from the start that this will be an open and transparent process, and we are now bringing in the right partners to take the next steps with us and with the community.”
A blueprint for London’s water future
Royal Victoria Dock West is well-placed to be among the first waterscapes in London to benefit from the Mayor of London’s forthcoming Clean and Healthy Waterways strategy, a ten-year plan to improve water quality, expand public access and restore London’s waterways as essential environmental assets. Following the Mayor’s recent signing of the Swimmable Cities Charter, the focus on open water swimming and wellness at Royal Victoria Dock West aligns with a broader shift in how London uses its water.
Biodiversity improvements, climate resilience and enhanced water quality are central to the Vision, with the Floating Park — the third component of the project — to be developed once the Wellness and Residential proposals have greater clarity.
