First-hand look at regeneration (From News Shopper)

First-hand look at regeneration

8:02am Saturday 23rd December 2006 in

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JUDITH Armitt, the woman with the role of delivering development and investment in the Thames Gateway has made her first visit to Bexley.

Ms Armitt, who was appointed chief executive of the Thames Gateway organisation in November, was greeted by Bexley Council leader and chairman of Invest Bexley, Councillor Ian Clement, who took her on a tour of Erith.

She was able to see the new developments, including the Riverside shopping centre, aimed at bringing people back into the town centre.

And she saw some of the pieces of striking public art in the town.

Ms Armitt was also shown the part of town christened Erith Western Gateway, which contains a number of major redevelopment sites.

It will be the focus for the further regeneration of the town.

The aim is to create a riverside "village" which could be used as a beacon development within the Thames Gateway.

One of the stops on her tour was the former Thames river police boathouse, off Erith High Street.

It has been converted to create offices for the regeneration delivery team and as a new home for Erith Rowing Club.

At the boathouse, she met members of the community and people involved with the town and its regeneration.

She also saw an exhibition on how public art can transform places and give them a sense of identity.

After the tour, Ms Armitt said: "We need this sense of ambition for our town centres.

"The boathouse is a great symbol of the regeneration of Erith and key to connecting the town to the riverside."

Despite recent comments by one of his cabinet, Councillor Katie Perrior, that Erith "feels like a dead town" even though millions of pounds have been poured into it, Cllr Clement described the improvements to Erith as "outstanding".

He said they were "fresh, innovative and of the highest quality".

Cllr Clement added: "It is important to celebrate success and to show the difference significant public sector investment has already made to the town. But there is a lot more to do.

"A wide range of challenges still exist, not only in Erith but across the borough."

He said: "We will continue to press for ongoing investment in new homes, jobs, transport infrastructure and environmental improvements."