Barking Riverside Limited, the master developer behind the Barking Riverside development in east London, has appointed civil engineering specialist, Mackley, to deliver major foreshore works along the River Thames.

 

The works will enhance one of the growing neighbourhood’s most notable and unique features – its 2km stretch of south-facing river frontage, improving resident and visitor access to the Thames. Once complete, the area will integrate a new riverside terrace to the east of the Barking Riverside Pier and improved pedestrian routes along the Thames. The designs also enhance habitats for local wildlife and provide new play spaces for residents and visitors.

 

The £12 million contract will see Mackley undertake a programme of flood defence and drainage works along 500 metres of Thames river frontage, supporting the long-term resilience of the site, unlocking further land for development and facilitating the delivery of more homes. Construction is expected to commence in February 2026 and will take approximately 14 months.

 

Barking Riverside is a major new urban development delivering up to 20,000 homes alongside new facilities, subject to planning consent. The new neighbourhood is being delivered by Barking Riverside Limited, a joint venture between L&Q and the Mayor of London.

 

The foreshore works are one of several major infrastructure projects on site being supported by funding from Homes England. The long-term partnership between Barking Riverside Limited and Homes England was named Public/Private Partnership of the Year at the Estates Gazette Awards 2025, recognising a collaboration that has released £124 million to unlock critical infrastructure and thousands of new homes.

 

Mackley’s works will raise the Thames flood defence crest from +7.1mOD to +8.2mOD in line with the Thames Estuary 2100 strategy, using a combination of regrading, reinforced concrete walls and localised sheet piling. Surface water is managed via swales, attenuation basins and storage tanks, with c.1,250m² of new intertidal habitat created. The design integrates utilities corridors, fire and maintenance access, and ecological mitigation to protect and recreate priority habitats while delivering resilient and accessible public realm designed in consultation with residents.

 

With a view to enhance this significant stretch of Thames grassland, Barking Riverside Limited has already completed an extensive programme of wildlife mitigation works in partnership with ecology agency Ramboll. These enabling works included a carefully sequenced reptile translocation programme, relocating species from the foreshore to prepared alternative habitats, enabling construction to proceed in line with environmental requirements while protecting the established ecology along the river’s edge. The programme of works will ultimately deepen the coastal grassland areas on the foreshore, extending existing habitats and creating improved conditions for nesting birds and other wildlife.

 

Leigh Johnson, Managing Director at Barking Riverside Limited, comments: “Barking Riverside’s foreshore is the largest habitat type of its kind along London’s River Thames, and we are immensely proud of this fantastic asset. These foreshore works are essential to safeguard the river’s edge and to unlock thousands of vitally needed homes, all whilst creating a distinctive sense of place for Barking Riverside with the Thames at its centre. Appointing Mackley – an experienced delivery partner – demonstrates BRL’s commitment to ensure this complex package is undertaken with sensitivity and care.”

 

Andrew Martin, Area Manager, Mackley, says: “Mackley are extremely excited to be appointed as the Design and Build contractor delivering the prestigious Barking Riverside Project. The project will provide an excellent green space amenity for generations of Barking Riverside residents, and we are looking forward to engaging with the local community throughout the scheme.”