Erith is set for a major facelift after it was announced that Bexley Council is to be given nearly £1 million for a number of local regeneration projects in the area.

Coming from the Government's Getting Building Fund, the £900,000 will be used to fund schemes to improve Pier Road and the section of Erith High Street next to Riverside Gardens.

Bexley Council say it was working on both projects before the pandemic took hold, and both are part of the council's Erith Links programme to improve public spaces, highways and junctions in the town.

Councillor Louie French, Bexley's Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth said: "The success of our bid is great news for the town and the local economy.

"These schemes will improve the town as a place to live and do business, and deliver a boost just when it is needed."

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The Pier Road scheme will improve the main pedestrianised section of the road between Cross Street and Erith High Street, with work starting on the site next June or July (2021).

It will create a modern attractive, safe, pedestrian and cyclist-friendly high street, which will encourage people to spend more time in the town when it is completed in October or November.

The Erith High Street scheme will improve access to the soon to be renovated Riverside Gardens and riverside, making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Work is expected to start on site in September 2021 and should be complete by February 2022.

Government launched the Getting Building Fund in August and in London it has been distributed by the Greater London Authority.

It aims to support the delivery of shovel-ready infrastructure projects, create more local jobs, and support the green recovery across the UK.

Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: "High streets and town centres are vital to London's economy and communities - and have a crucial role to play in the capital's recovery from Covid-19.

"This project is a great example of rejuvenating a town centre and this funding will help make Erith town centre even more attractive to local people and visitors."