The landscape architects Latz + Partner have been appointed to lead a team to design a section of the Lea River Park.

This is a major regeneration project to create a new continuous area of parkland and parks stretching from the River Thames through to the Olympic Park and beyond to the existing parkland to the north.

Their designs will start the process of turning the vision for the Lea River Park into a reality. The Lea River Park Design Framework's vision - drawn up by a team led by 5th Studio Architects - is for six new parks in the Lower Lea Valley, linked by continuous linear parkland called the Fatwalk.

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Latz + Partner were appointed by the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation with its partners the London Development Agency's Design for London, the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and the London Boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Newham through a competitive European Union procurement process.

The River Lea rises west of Luton and runs 68km through East London including the Olympic Park and finishing at the River Thames east of Canary Wharf. While the northern section is bustling with activity from park goers, cyclists, strollers, bird watchers and horse riders, the Lower Lea section is currently disjointed and underused.

Chief Executive of the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation Peter Andrews said: "Latz + Partners appointment brings us closer to the development of an exciting new addition to London's parkland and fills a gnawing gap in the provisions of high quality open space in east London. With the full support and active participation of our partners London can look forward to a strikingly original landscape that celebrates the history, heritage and natural attributes of the Lea Valley while acting as a vital spur to regeneration."

(CD/JM)