A series of printed guides that capture an eclectic and multi-layered perspective of the Lower Lea Valley through the eyes of local teenagers

The Leaway is a new project that provides a continuous walking and cycling route connecting the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to the Royal Docks and the River Thames. Parts of the River Lea have been made fully accessible to the public for the first time.

At this time of dramatic change for east London, Create worked with artists and people living locally to understand the important contribution the River Lea and its landmarks have made to the lives of Londoners.

Teenagers from the Lower Lea Valley and artists Leigh Clarke, Dash N’ Dem and Gayle Chong Kwan made alternative guides to the Leaway. Part artwork, part trail and part map, each captures an eclectic and multi-layered perspective of the Lower Lea Valley and the new Lea River Park route through the eyes of young people.

There are three guides in the series: Dirt, Nature & Food and Trade & Industry. The printed guides are available to pick up for free from dispensers installed at various locations (Cody Dock, Olympic Park: Aquatics Centre and Trinity Buoy Wharf) along the Lea River Park walkway.

Dash N’ Dem worked with young people from Spotlight Arts Youth Space to produce the Odd Guide about trade and industry along the River Lea. Reflecting on the huge importance of the area in the social history of Britain and changing workplace conditions.

The Odd Guides were also part of the 'Lea River Park: a new landscape for London' exhibition at New London Architecture (NLA) from Thursday 6 April – Thursday 27 April 2017: http://newlondonarchitecture.org/whats-on/exhibitions/2017/lea-river-park-a-new-landscape-for-london

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/20270