Housing Minister, Caroline Flint has announced a £237m redevelopment programme for areas in the east end of London.

Eight areas of the London Thames Gateway have been targeted for regeneration; Canning Town, Lea River Park, Olympic Arc, Bromley-by-Bow, and the London Riverside areas of Barking Town, London Riverside Parklands, South Dagenham and Rainham Village. Investment will be focused on housing, jobs, infrastructure, community facilities and green spaces. This will take place in the next few years, creating around 7,900 new jobs and 8,200 new homes.

Emma Joy, communications manager for London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), told PIN: “The areas of investment were chosen as it was judged that this was where market forces (natural competition within an area that would stimulate growth) had been least successful. It was felt that a focused and time specific public intervention would be most effective”

The ethos behind the redevelopment, which is to be lead by LTGDC, is one of building a ‘sense of community’, not only within the areas but also between them. With this in mind improvements to systems of infrastructure will be a major part of the programme, with the installation of pathways and bridges along with continued improvements to the road networks connecting these communities.

Lorraine Baldry, LTGDC chairman, said “Regeneration of the Lower Lea Valley and London Riverside means more than just building houses. Our plan for the next three years is to drive forward schemes which will create a sense of place and belonging for local people and an environment that attracts new residents and businesses to settle.”