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FOCUS on Bexley Regenerating ERITH
Alongside the Erith Town Partnership and other partners, Bexley is working hard to deliver a better town centre to cater to the current and future needs of the town’s residents.
In July, Erith Town Centre was one of 12 London high streets selected to receive £50,000 in funding through the High Street Place Labs (HSPL) initiative. Meanwhile, a bid has been made to the Greater London Authority’s Green Roots Fund to develop plans over the next two years to transform London’s longest pier into a greener, more inclusive, sustainable and communityfocused destination.
The HSPL funding will support the borough’s plans to develop a high street engagement strategy to drive further regeneration in Erith. The Council has appointed an engagement specialist to work closely with residents, businesses, and town centre users as part of a series of workshops over the coming months.
It is hoped this initiative will act as a catalyst for further investment, helping to transform Erith into a more vibrant and thriving town centre.
The funding for the HSPL initiative has been provided by the Mayor of London. The London Borough of Bexley has submitted a £300,000 bid to the Greater London Authority’s Green Roots Fund to develop plans to transform London’s longest pier into a greener, more inclusive, sustainable and communityfocused destination.
This exciting project already has the backing of 17 partner organisations, including the Environment Agency, Thames Estuary Partnership, the Port of London Authority, the RNLI and WM Morrisons supermarket.
It will deliver a new multi-layered vision for Erith Pier and its surroundings, aiming to restore and enhance shoreline habitats to boost river biodiversity.
It aims to create safer and more inclusive access for all, strengthen climate resilience through new tree and shrub planting and open up opportunities for education and research that deepen our understanding of the Thames’ unique ecology.
In doing so, we hope to create a cleaner and healthier river, increase interest in this important natural resource, deliver a high quality public area for everyone to enjoy and ensure the pier becomes a sustainable and well-run facility in partnership with the local community.
The Greater Erith regeneration programme is already delivering improved public spaces, such as Riverside Gardens, a new square at the pier entrance, improvements to Walnut Tree Road, and the opening of a new community space on Pier Road, named 68.
The improvement of the pier structure and associated habitats will be Bexley’s next step.
The pier has already seen various festivals on the site, proving popular among residents with events such as the Erith Pride parades.
Its location offers unrivalled opportunities for public access to the river and could become a fantastic destination for those looking to appreciate the Thames in all its glory.
Partners supporting the bid include: Environment Agency, Thames Estuary Partnership, Port of London Authority, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, WM Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Thames21, Orbit, London South East Colleges, The Exchange, GCDA, Erith Town Partnership, Peabody, London Borough of Bexley Public Health, Friends of Riverside Gardens, North West Kent Countryside Partnership, Cory Environmental Ltd. and Thamesmead’s Best Beaks.
A decision on the Green Roots Fund bid is expected in November 2025.
