This is the Northern Outfall Sewer Embankment (NOSE) AKA The Greenway and also partly Q22 of the Quietway cycle routes. Designed by Jospeh Bazalgette as part of the great Victorian sewerage solution this 7km route was covered over and opened as a walkway in the early 1990s as part of a green strategy. A great pedestrian and cycle route connecting Hackney Wick to Beckton and connecting with other off road local routes such as the River Lea, the Channelsea Path, the Long Wall Path and many other pathways around Beckton and the Thames.
It is open 24 hours a day and there is low level lighting along most of the Greenway and green corridors along the side that are a host to lots of interesting wildlife that you may see along the way. The Greenway is often busy with cyclists commuting and school run pedestrian traffic.
It is currently not recommended by the police that you use this area on your own in the evening whilst using your mobile phone due to a number of crimes in the area. Come with a friend or plan your trip for earlier in the day.
The sign here still points to Beckton Alps which is a toxic spoil heap from the Beckton Gas Works was used as a dry ski slope opened by Princess Diana in 1988 and in use until 2001. Sadly Newham did not produce any Olympic champions and the site is now abandoned and off limits to the public. It is now a nature reserve. There is also rumoured to be a railway locomotive buried in this heap of waste. The Alps were once a range of 'hills' but now only one Alp remains, the rest cleared for the redevelopment of Beckton.
This section of the Greenway is open 24/7 but unlit at night and quieter than other parts. Cache can be found at any time but you may prefer this one before it gets dark.