ECEC 2011, European Concurrent Engineering Conf., April 18-20, 2011, British Inst.of Technology & Ecommerce, London, UK, Venue



Conference Location

Stratford is a district in northeast London, England and part of the London Borough of Newham. It is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb following the introduction of the railway in 1839. As part of the growth of London in the late 19th century, Stratford significantly expanded and increased in population, becoming the centre of administration of the Borough of West Ham in 1886 and it has formed part of Greater London since 1965.

The more recent economic history is underpinned by a move away from railway works and heavy industry towards becoming a significant commercial and cultural centre. Stratford is adjacent to the London Olympic Park and is currently experiencing regeneration and expansion linked to the 2012 Summer Olympics.

History

The name is first recorded in 1067 as Strætforda and means 'ford on a Roman road'. It is formed from Old English 'stræt' and 'ford'. The crossing is that of the London to Colchester road over one of the many branches of the River Lea to the west of the settlement. The nearby settlement of Bow —over the River Lea and now in Tower Hamlets— was also known as Stratford and a variety of suffixes were used to distinguish the two. The settlement to the east of the Lea was also known as Estratford refererring to the location east of the other Stratford, Statford Hamme alluding to the location within the parish of West Ham, with Abbei Stratford and Stretford Langthorne both referring to the presence of Stratford Langthorne Abbey.

The introduction of the railway at Stratford in 1839 caused a focus of activity within the fast-expanding Stratford New Town. Stratford was one of three ancient wards in the large parish of West Ham, in the Becontree hundred of Essex. It came within the Metropolitan Police District in 1840. Despite forming part of the built up area of London the parish remained outside the statutory metropolitan area established in 1855 and the County of London established in 1889.

Instead, administrative reform was undertaken in the area in much the same way as a large provincial town. A local board was formed in 1856 under the Public Health Act 1848 and subsequently the parish was incorporated as a municipal borough in 1886. In 1889 the borough was large enough in terms of population to become a county borough and was outside the area of responsibility of Essex County Council. Stratford formed the centre of administration of the county borough and was the location of the town hall.

Parts of this text were copied from

Conference Venue

British Institute of Technology & E-commerce
Avicenna House
258-262 Romford Road
London E7 9HZ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (020) 8552 3071
Fax: +44 (020) 8552 3546

How to reach Stratford London and the conference venue

By Plane



When arriving by plane in the UK you are mostly destined to arrive in London either at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick or Luton Airport. From these airports you need to make your way by train or tube to St.Pancras Station from where you can take the tube, bus or taxi to London Stratford. If you decide, however, to come by plane the closest airport is London City Airport (IATA: LCY, ICAO: EGLC), which is a single-runway STOLport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, 6 NM (11 km; 6.9 mi) east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London.

By Train



When taking the train to the United Kingdom, you will be using the EUROSTAR service arriving at St.Pancras station. After clearing customs and passport control you leave the EUROSTAR part of the station and continue by tube via Russel Square, taxi or bus.
Using the National rail network service, the nearest rail station is at Forest Gate, which is within walking distance of BITE. When leaving the station entrance, turn right onto Woodgrange Road, continue to the junction with the Romford Road and then turn right. Avicenna House is about 100 metres on the opposite side of the road.
Stratford International station is a railway station located in Stratford in the London Borough of Newham in northeast London, United Kingdom. The station opened on 30 November 2009 for Southeastern services on High Speed 1,although the station building was completed in April 2006. It is located adjacent to the construction sites of both the London Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City, which currently prevents pedestrian access; during local redevelopment work a temporary bus service links Stratford International to nearby Stratford Regional. It is planned that early in 2011 an extension of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will connect the station directly to the London public transport network. it can now be reached by tube through St.Pancras station through Russell Square.

By Underground and DLR



The nearest underground station is at Stratford which is serviced by the Jubilee and Central lines as well as the DLR and the Overground. From Stratford station, take either the 25 or 86 bus as described below.
You can download the London underground Map from this link.(in pdf format)

By Bus

Routes 25 & 86 stop directly in front of the Institute. Travel in the Romford or Ilford direction and alight at the Woodgrange Road stop.

By Taxi

Avicenna House is near the junction of the A118 (Romford Road) and A114 (Woodgrange Road). It is 2 miles from the junction of the A118 and the A406.

By Car

Avicenna House is near the junction of the A118 (Romford Road) and A114 (Woodgrange Road). It is 2 miles from the junction of the A118 and the A406.

BEWARE

  • When you bring your PC or other equipment to the UK be aware that different plugs are needed. (see an overview of world plugs here)

  • That your VISA requirements are OK. See the Fees Page for more information.

Location Map

Click on the maps above for a more detailed view

View Larger Map

Useful links

Check back for further updates here: