Communities and Local Government
A selection of images representing communities.
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- Thames Gateway and the Olympics
- Thames Gateway: area and development overview
- Thames Gateway: North Kent
Thames Gateway: North Kent
Select one of the Kent local authorities for further information on development in these areas.
"Exciting waterside towns and cities with a world-class environment and a real civic pride that provides an international exemplar of urban renaissance."
The Thames Gateway in Kent covers broadly the area east of the M25, bounded to the north by the Thames River and to the south by the A2 and the Downs. The main concentrations of population are in Medway and in the towns of Dartford, Gravesham, and Sittingbourne. In 2005, approximately 560,000 people lived in the boroughs of North Kent.
The area has many outstanding assets - its heritage, countryside, town centres, riverside and people with a strong identity and pride in their communities. It also has tremendous potential - an excellent location on strategic transport routes, near major UK and European markets, large areas of brownfield land and rapidly developing infrastructure.
Each of the areas in Thames Gateway Kent is developing a distinctive role. Kent Thameside is set to become an international commercial centre with a major new business district being developed at Ebbsfleet Valley around the new international rail station. The development of Ebbsfleet Valley is the top priority for the sub-region and will complement the revitalisation of Dartford and Gravesham town centres. In Swale, logistics and science-based industries are emerging as key drivers of growth. The new Sheppey Crossing will unlock the full potential of Sheerness Port and the Isle of Sheppey. With its superb riverside developments, historical sites and new university campus, Medway is rapidly developing as a new city of learning, culture, tourism and enterprise and Thamesport on the Isle of Grain has the potential to develop further port and logistics employment.
Currently, nearly 100,000 people commute out of the area daily to work, mainly to London. Whilst this proximity to London is one of North Kent's main assets, regeneration of Thames Gateway Kent is creating strong employment-led growth and communities that are more self-reliant. Thus, delivery partners have set ambitious targets to build some 48,000 new homes and to enable the creation of 80,000 new jobs over a 20-year period.
Communities and Local Government is funding £230 million of projects in the North Kent area. Government investments span a range of projects - including brownfield remediation, land assembly, new transport infrastructure, environmental and cultural enhancements, town centre regeneration, and better education and skills facilities. Each of these will play a key part in transforming the opportunities and fabric of North Kent.
