The Royal Docks comprise three docks in east London - the Royal Albert Dock the Royal Victoria Dock and the King George V Dock built between 1880 and 1921 on riverside marshes in the London borough of Newham. The three docks collectively formed the largest enclosed docks in the world with a water area of nearly 250 acres (1 km²) and an overall estate of 1100 acres (4 km²). Constructed to provide berths for large vessels that could not be accommodated further upriver. The Royal Docks were finally closed for shipping in 1981. The closure brought hardship to Silvertown and the local area. The London Development Corporation was placed in charge of the area with responsibility of bring about regeneration. City Airport was constructed in 1986, the runway sited on cleared what were grain warehouses and cranes. With numerous dockside residential and office developments under construction the future looks brighter. more history...