Description: Surrey Docks is where the Thames embraces Bermondsey and Rotherhithe and for two centuries it was a thriving part of London. But when general cargo handling gave way to containers business moved downstream to Tilbury, and Surrey Docks were closed. Southwark Council acquired a lot of the land in 70s, prepared the site and started building, but in 1981 the government decided it would be better if a development corporation carried on with the work. The borough disputes this and the film looks at what Southwark has achieved in the area so far. Its plan is committed to local business and the 7,000 people that live in the area. Looking down from a plane Brian Redhead sees the 80 projects that are happening, including new housing in the north of the area. The new development for the Downtown council residents has low-rise houses with gardens. There will be a 17-acre public park – including football pitches and an athletics track - with the Russia Dock canal and Russia Dock Woodland opened up to run alongside it. The Lysander Estates scheme will include the fully-enclosed Lysander shopping centre, flats and houses. Dock basins will be used for craft coming out of the Thames. There will also be an Exhibition and Conference Centre linked to a hotel. Surrey Docks will be opened up for flats. Canada Dock will have an office campus, which will be in walking distance to the East London line. Quebec Dock will be home for Associated Newspapers. Altogether, the redevelopment of the Docks will provide more jobs than the Docks themselves did. If the council loses its bid to continue development it will work with the new development corporation and there is little the new corporation can do to change the form of development in the docks. John O’Grady, leader of the council, argues that if the government provides more money – little has been to the council for the development but a lot is being offered to the new corporation – they would be able to finish the job. If the Minister for Environment would spend time in the area he would see the progress made and it would reassure him of the ability of local government.