Defenders of the Canary Wharf tower point out that it has added a welcome focal point to scores of London's views.

ECONOMIST: Cityscapes

The London Marathon route, which is lined by hundreds of thousands of spectators every year, starts in Blackheath and finishes near Buckingham Palace, passing some of the capital's most recognisable landmarks including Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and Big Ben.

BBC: London Marathon runners

Board a Thames Clipper ferry at the iconic London Eye Ferris wheel to sail alongside the South Bank, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, and the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf.

BBC: Following the Thames: A source-to-mouth guide

Tower Hamlets is home to London's second financial centre, Canary Wharf, which paid for half the council's bid.

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The course, which starts in southeast London, wends through the Canary Wharf business district and passes by some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Westminster, before finishing near Buckingham Palace.

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The 26.2 mile course, which starts in southeast London, wends through the Canary Wharf business district and passes by some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge and Westminster, before finishing near Buckingham Palace.

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