Confusion reigns over the delayed reopening of the vital Roach Point Bridge, linking Fish Island directly to the rest of Hackney Wick without the need for frustrating detours.

A post on the Omega Works Facebook Group this week quoted developer O’Shea as saying: "We understand the inconvenience it is causing with the bridge not being reopened.

Works to form new bridge approaches (North and South) are in progress and due to be completed this year. The Bridge is due to be adopted by London Borough of Tower Hamlets once completed. We are aiming for the Bridge to be reopened before Christmas. The delay is due to being significantly delayed earlier this year by Tower Hamlets Section 38 agreement."

Meanwhile, the Council seem equally to shift the responsibility back to those delivering the project. Tower Hamlets Councillor Abdi Mohamed wrote to one local saying “I completely understand and share your frustration - the ongoing delays and lack of clarity around the bridge reopening are unacceptable.

“To be clear, I’m not convinced or content with the current timeline or the reasons provided so far. That’s exactly why, as the three councillors for Bow East, we are pushing - and will continue to push - for proper accountability, transparency, and a clear explanation of what’s caused these repeated delays.”

The Wick reader Kate Stevens got in touch this week too, saying “I’ve lived in Hackney Wick since 2010 and was genuinely delighted when plans for the new bridge were announced — not only for the added convenience but also for the improved safety it promised our community.

“To now learn that the bridge’s completion has been delayed until 2026 is incredibly disappointing. Local businesses have already endured prolonged disruption, noise, and a significant loss of trade. Extending this timeline only deepens the strain on a community that has shown extraordinary patience.

“The authorities must honour their commitment and deliver this project before the end of 2025. Hackney Wick deserves better — we need this bridge completed without further delay.”

Interestingly, no party seems (yet) to be offering an actual apology, so while blame shifts and nothing materially happens, remember to support the local businesses, use The Wick’s comprehensive guide in support of all the places to Eat & Drink on Fish Island, and make the effort to pay a few of them a visit over this painfully extended period of semi-isolation.

🖼️ The latest artist in residence at Two More Years is Phulmaya Bhusal is an emerging artist whose work explores themes of family, childhood and identity through expressive colour and mark-making. Her practice is influenced by solo-travel, a cross-cultural upbringing, and everyday human connection. Runs to 11th Nov.

🪨 Felsenmeer is a multi-disciplinary new exhibition at Hypha Studios Sugar House Island that explores the landscape of a slate quarry in North Wales through sculpture, photography, performance and sound recordings. Runs to 15th Nov.

🛋️ The Giant London Flea, the capital’s largest indoor flea market, returns to the QEOP’s multi-storey car park on Sat 25th Oct with over 100 traders bringing vintage home decor and preloved bargains to spruce up your home sustainably.

👘 It’s also the Hackney Depot Flea Weekender this Sat 25th & Sun 26th Oct with stacks more unique vintage items to unearth, from furniture and homeware to art and fashion.

👩🏼‍🎨 Artist Isabela Córdoba Torres’ debut show in London, Sensory Activation, offers a compelling exploration of emotion, movement and abstraction through watercolour - a new body of work that blurs the boundaries between visual art and performance, on show at Unlock until 10th Nov.

🎞️ Colour Factory is screening five short films each exploring the theme of community and black love as part of the venue’s pioneering Creative Legacy Grant initiative on Thurs 23rd Oct. MakeRoom Presents: Made of Dreams also includes a Q&A with the film-makers and a DJ set afterwards.

📽️ The New Black Film Collective are back at Sugar House Island for another screening, this time featuring the cult classic Sinners, where two twin brothers return to their Mississippi hometown in order to leave behind troubled lives, only to find a greater evil waiting. Followed by a panel discussion, on Wed 29th Oct.

🌑 Immersive shipping container-based shows Darkfield are now on in the QEOP for a limited run, until 2nd Nov. They use striking sets, complete darkness, binaural sound and sensory effects to place audience members at the centre of intense, evolving narratives. Use the code WICK10 to get a special reader discount on ALL tickets (see below for their free masterclass too).

🎨 Head to 2 Gresham St in St Pauls for the latest Felsted Art show, featuring playfully abstract paintings by artist Clive Gray. The private view is tonight, Wed 22nd Oct and the show is on until 9th Jan.

🍺 Wick OGs Crate Brewery have just opened their second outpost at Wood Wharf, E14, with local favourite beers (plus the all new Plum and Berry seasonal sour) on the taps, a whole new wine list and the return of some historic pizzas (plus some newbies) coming out of the ovens.

🎸 Local rebel girl band Lazy Jane play in Tottenham on Wed 29th Oct for a Halloween-themed bash at The Post Bar.

🙆🏼 The spectacular new show Wayne McGregor: Infinate Bodies begins a season at Somerset House on 30th Oct running to 22nd Feb of interactive multi-sensory art, talks, special performances and more on the theme3 of the body, movement and cutting edge technologies.

🩻 Over in Barking, the new 4,500 capacity Eutopia Warehouse cultural/rave hub hosts a huge bash by promoters familiar to the Wick, Howl, bringing together 10 queer collectives for HOWLOWEEN XXL on Fri 31st Oct.

👻 Local purveyors of big beats for little feet, Wickidz, celebrate their first anniversary with a big bash at Nico’s Hackney Bridge on Sun 2nd Nov with resident DJ Rob Da Dad being joined by some spooky new friends, terrifying fancy dress, arts and crafts and devilishly good cocktails for the grown-ups.

🍔 Stratford Walk in the QEOP is going to be transformed this weekend, Sat 25th & Sun 26th Oct, as the Family Feast Street Food Market brings 20+ global street food stalls, two buzzing bars and a line-up of live acoustic music, plus half term family fun with face painting and craft stalls, too.

💔 There’s a celebration of the music and life of neo-soul and R&B pioneer, D’Angelo, following his untimely death earlier this month. Expect a night of his classic tunes from Brown Sugar to Voodoo and Black Messiah, with happy hour 4–6pm for you to raise a glass to one of the greats.

🎤 There’s an intimate night of spoken word and poetry as Hidden Literature presents a Black History Month Open Mic at Sugar House Island tomorrow, Thurs 23th Oct, for a chance to share your words and/or sit back and catch some of the capital’s finest poets and artist in full flow.

🍹 You’ll find £5 Aperol Spritzes every Friday right now at The Leyton Star, meanwhile the Oh My Dog! crew are settling in to providing epic Sunday lunches and roasts at Hackney Wick sister boozer The Lord Napier Star.

🧟 There’s a free Halloween Disco at Two More Years with the best disco tracks brought to you by Gerrado, Tisco Night écouteZ, Sound Called Challis and headliner Hot Cross Fun, on Sat 1st Nov.

👩🏼‍🎓 UAL are offering another chance to unlock your business potential with their next Help to Grow: Management Course - a 12-week leadership programme delivered by entrepreneurs and industry experts at the Fashion Business School, which aims to help participants build resilience, lead with confidence and grow a business strategically and sustainably. The next cohort you can join begins on 29th Oct.

🔉 Join a free interactive masterclass on Making Immersive Audio Experiences with the Darkfield creative team at the Good Growth Hub on Tues 28th Oct.

♻️ As part of Circular Economy Week, The Loop  is showcasing some of the businesses based at their hub at a special event on Fri 24th & Sat 25th Oct. Expect workshops, upcycling, repair, textile rescue, exchange and other circular economy principles from the likes of Yodomo, White Weft, Reuser, Studio TIP, Looply BMU, Are You Mad and more.

🆓 To celebrate over a decade at their workspace in Old Street, The Trampery is offering 25 entrepreneurs and creatives a free three month desk space through the Pioneers Pass programme. Apply by 26th Oct.

👋🏼 Hackney Wick Arts Club, the local artist and makers space, are currently looking for new members to join their community. Email [email protected] for more info.

🛥️ The award-winning 2 AA Rosette restaurant aboard a historic Dutch barge and towpath garden, Barge East, is seeking an experienced General Manager with strong kitchen operations knowledge. The ideal candidate will bring proven leadership in food-led or AA Rosette-standard venues, exceptional organisational and financial skills, and a genuine passion for hospitality, people, and produce. Full time, £52k–£60k + performance bonus. Find out more & apply [email protected] by 12th Nov.

Fancy learning how to be a Hackney Tour Guide? The Hackney Society’s guiding course will introduce you to the borough’s astonishing and often hidden history and provide you with the presentation techniques for effective and safe management of a tour group. Apply by 31st Oct for courses starting in Jan 2026.

☝🏼 The Olympic Park’s inclusive leadership platform, Elevate, is looking for 18-27-year-old residents of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets, and Waltham Forest to join the Elevate Board and play a role in empowering young people across East London to create positive change through lived experience, local influence, and equitable leadership. Apply by 27th Oct.

Currently up on our Instagram, behind the scenes at The Wick book layout and planning meeting. We’re get closer to production ahead of pre-Christmas delivery. Ideal for gifting to the Hackney Wick lover in your life - or a great gift to yourself too… thewickbook.com