Regeneration bosses at Medway Council have confirmed that refurbishment works are due to take place at Sun Pier, following the recent improvements in the waterfront area. The proposed refurbishment of Sun Pier will include repainting the existing railings/metal work, replacing any timber where necessary, providing a new lighting scheme to match the scheme in place on the redeveloped river walk and the renewal of the benches. Media Source: Flickriver In early May, work began on carrying out public realm works in the waterfront area of Chatham town centre, with significant improvements to the river walk, Medway Street and surrounding areas. These works took place to improve the connectivity between the town centre and riverside, as well as integrating the two areas once again since the removal of the 'harsh' ring-road layout. The pier refurbishment works have been additonally funded and will begin later this year with an estimated completion by Spring 2016.
Chatham Regeneration Manager, Sunny Ee, said: "Although these are fairly simple steps, we're hoping that this will provide a significant improvement and, as the river walk has done, encourage positive interaction with the river." You can find out more about recent and upcoming developments planned for the waterfront by having a look at our dedicated information page. A plot of land that was once an eyesore at the heart of Chatham town centre is to be transformed into a vibrant town centre mix-use development. The land at 389-393 Chatham High Street was once home to two buildings with small shops, however these units were demolished when the former ABC Cinema was pulled down to make way for the Imperial Gate development. After years of planning applications to transform the site, work has now finally begun to construct an exciting new development in a prime town centre location. The heavy duty machinery has now moved in, with the overgrown vegetation removed, the abandoned building demolished and work progressing well on further clearing the site in preparation for construction of the building. Media Source: Google Street View The mix-use development will consist of a part six and part seven storey building comprising 11 x one bedroom and 13 x 2 bedroom apartments above ground floor commercial floorspace. Over the past couple of years, the site was earmarked as an 'eyesore' by many local residents with the abandoned building illustrating a negative impression for the Eastern-end of the High Street and the overgrown vegetation uncontrolably growing. The site was sold earlier this year in May at the Clive Emson auction event.
Local residents will be able to share their ideas and discuss local issues in the Luton Arches area, with the upcoming Arches Local Open Day. Arches Local will be hosting an open day on December 8, 2015, from 3pm - 9pm at the Magpie Community Centre & Cafe. The Open Day will give you the opportunity to discuss any ideas or concerns you may wish to share in-person with the Arches Local team, as well as reviewing their plans for the area whilst enjoying a cup of tea and a slice of cake at the newly-opened cafe.
Have you been wondering what the white and green muck on the walls of the Luton Arches viaduct is and how it is there? The existing metal guttering across the rail bridge has been deteriorating over the past decade or more, rusting and spillages of dirty substances leaking from the damaged sections that have never been repaired, creating this uninviting appearance of the viaducts. However, we contacted Network Rail recently informing them of this issue and they have given us an update that they will be sending their structural team to carry out repairs before the end of this year. The replacement of the guttering at the Luton Arches is a step further towards regenerating the area, part of Arches Local's vision to make the Victorian structures of the Luton Arches a historical focal point for Chatham town centre and Luton. The uninviting appearance of the Luton Arches viaduct. (Media Source: Google Street View) The guttering replacement works will be taking place between November 9 - 14, 2015, with lane closures implemented from 8pm to 5am allowing Network Rail's structural team to carry out the repairs. The traffic management will not be in force out of these overnight working hours. The director of Future Chatham said, "The repairs of the guttering at the Luton Arches that Network Rail will be carrying out are a step further to improving the appearance of the rail bridges. The white and green muck on the viaduct walls are indeed an eyesore, and we are glad that we have contacted Network Rail to bring their attention to this issue. These guttering replacement works are just the start of a long-term regeneration in the area that Arches Local and ourselves will be driving to achieve." The 'white muck' creating an uninviting feeling to the Luton Arches area. (Media Source: Google Street View) In the long-term vision of the area, Arches Local, Medway Council and Network Rail will be working together in the near future to regenerate the area around the Luton Arches. The aim is to create a more inviting place to visit and travel through, with investment in the public realm and improving the traffic flow to relieve the problems motorists face day-to-day.
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August 2023
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