Ten ways to travel at Royal Arsenal

Driven by the need to travel to the heart of London, purchasers are snapping up apartments at Royal Arsenal – Berkeley Homes (Urban Living)’s flagship development in Woolwich, SE18. Royal Arsenal enjoys numerous transport links, with services set to improve immeasurably.

The new DLR station is due to open in 2009 and a proposed Crossrail station is planned for the site. In fact there are 10 different ways to travel to and from Woolwich – proving that Royal Arsenal is one of the best-connected property development in South East London.

Mainline trains from Woolwich Arsenal

Woolwich Arsenal over ground train station is approximately 300 metres from the development and offers regular train services to London Bridge in as little as 18 minutes, continuing on to Waterloo East, Charing Cross or Canon Street.

Thames Clippers fast ferry service

Royal Arsenal also boasts a more refreshing way to travel to London destinations in the shape of the Thames Clippers fast ferry service. A fleet of luxury commuter boats pick up from Royal Arsenal Pier seven days a week.** There are opportunities to disembark at a variety of piers, including QE2 for the O2 Arena and North Greenwich tube station, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge, London Bridge, Bankside and Blackfriars. Royal Arsenal pier also benefits from an evening service to and from the O2 Arena.

As of 12th November 2007, four new luxury 220 seat vessels were added to the Clipper fleet, increasing the peak time capacity and flexibility of the service. Additionally, if commuters need any more persuading to take to the water, the onboard cafes and bars have been revamped, ensuring passengers can grab a much needed morning coffee or a wind-down glass of wine on a Friday evening.

City Airport

This thriving airport is located on the opposite side of the Thames to Royal Arsenal, and can be easily reached by road, DLR or the Woolwich Ferry. In addition to its popular European destinations, flights now operate to America, with British Airways running its first all-business class service from City Airport. Flights will operate twice a day to New York’s JFK Airport.

Streetcar car club

Royal Arsenal is pleased to be hosting Streetcar – an innovative car club where residents and the wider Woolwich community can hire one of two cars based at the development. The aim is to make people think more diligently about car ownership and usage. Car users at Royal Arsenal can easily access the A2 and South Circular (A205).

Buses

Woolwich is served by numerous bus routes with destination all over London and North Kent, including Bluewater shopping centre and North Greenwich for the O” Arena and the Jubilee Line. Local residents will also get a boost in the shape of the Greenwich Waterfront Transit (GWT). This is a modern bus transit service serving Greenwich, Woolwich, Thamesmead and Abbey Wood.

The buses will link with its counterpart on the opposite side of the Thames, the East London Transit, allowing travellers to reach Ilford, Barking and Dagenham Dock. Buses are also expected to run every 6 minutes to North Greenwich.

Cycle paths

Woolwich is part of the London Cycle Network and the National Cycle Route passes in front of nearby Royal Arsenal Gardens. A large swathe of the riverside path is open to cyclists, with a cycle path running from the riverside part of Royal Arsenal, through the development and out to Plumstead Road. There will be a number of secure cycle bays within the car parking area of The Armouries.

Woolwich Ferry

Residents at Royal Arsenal can take a short walk to the Woolwich Ferry. The ferry is a free service operating between Woolwich and North Woolwich, linking the north and south circular roads across the Thames. The ferry carries vehicle, cycle and foot passengers, and is a boon for those using the ExCel exhibition venue.

By foot

Royal Arsenal and Woolwich are both highly accessible on foot. The Woolwich Foot Tunnel, with its entrance near the ferry, runs under the Thames to North Woolwich. A pedestrian crossing linking the Royal Arsenal to the town centre is right outside the entrance to Royal Arsenal. There is also a Riverside Walk through Woolwich, which takes in the glorious views of the River Thames.

DLR extension - Woolwich’s station due to open in early 2009

The arrival of the DLR is set to revolutionise travel from Woolwich. The station, located next door to the existing over ground station, is scheduled to open in early 2009, with a rapid service connecting Woolwich to stations including London City Airport, Canary Wharf and Bank. London City Airport will be just 5 minutes away, making travel to Europe and beyond faster and more accessible than ever before. Canary Wharf will be reachable in 20 minutes, while travelling by DLR to Bank station will take 27 minutes. With the Olympics in mind, Woolwich to Stratford will take 20 minutes, with an interchange at Canning Town Jubilee Line.*

Crossrail

Crossrail is a major investment in London’s railway network. The new service will run through London West to East from Maidenhead and Heathrow via Paddington, Liverpool Street and Stratford to Shenfield, and via Whitechapel to Isle of Dogs (Canary Wharf), Woolwich and ending at Abbey Wood. Woolwich’s proposed Crossrail station will be located on the Royal Arsenal development. It is hoped 24 trains an hour will run in both directions, with a capacity for 1,500 travellers at any one time.

Royal Arsenal resident, Werner Hefer, was impressed with Woolwich’s transport credentials: “The transport links at Royal Arsenal are excellent. The future DLR link goes to London City airport, which is especially convenient when we have friends and family visiting from overseas. Also, it takes me only 20 minutes by train to reach my office in the centre of London.”

Werner and his wife Sone are ‘try before you buy’ Royal Arsenal residents, having rented on the development before purchasing: “Soon after we started renting at Royal Arsenal, we fell in love with the whole development. It provides a really nice lifestyle – the apartments are excellent quality and have top of the range fixtures and fittings. We think Woolwich is really an up-and-coming area, so we decided to stay here long-term.”

For more information, visit Royal-arsenal.co.uk.

* All times are approximate, Transport for London
** For a Thames Clipper fast ferry timetable, visit Thamesclippers.com/commuters