News Archive

Shorne Woods Country Park has benefited from a 16.8km extension to its trail network and the park celebrated with a free Discovery Weekend of walks, rides and nature activities for all visitors.

Paul Williams, formerly Deputy Chief Executive, has extensive experience in the Thames Gateway and of partnership working across the public and private sectors. As Acting Chief Executive, Paul will work closely with the Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils, Kent County Council and other lead agencies in the delivery of Kent Thameside’s regeneration.

Government Minister Caroline Flint, Housing Minister for the Department for Communities and Local Government, has visited some of the Thames Gateway’s flagship regeneration sites as part of a tour of Kent Thameside and Medway.

Michael Ward, Chief Executive of the Kent Thameside Delivery Board, welcomed the minister to her first visit to Kent Thameside and the Thames Gateway since taking up her post in which she is expected to provide stronger and more visible leadership for housing in the area. On this tour, Ward, the Leaders of the both Dartford and Gravesham Borough Councils, and other key partners took the minister to view some of the key projects that stand to benefit from the area’s regeneration plans.

Five major artists – Daniel Buren, Richard Deacon, Christopher Le Brun, Mark Wallinger and Rachel Whiteread – are in contention to create the £2 million Ebbsfleet Landmark, the most significant public art commission since Antony Gormley’s ‘Angel of the North’ ten years ago.

In a move that will create many new job and training opportunities for local people, a branch of the Learning Shop has been launched at The Bridge development in Dartford. A partnership between Employ Kent Thameside, North West Kent College, Jobcentre Plus and Start International, the Learning Shop@The Bridge will help local people and companies benefit from the many new opportunities arising from the regeneration of the area.

Based at The Nucleus Innovation Centre, the Learning Shop@The Bridge can provide free recruitment services and help companies to identify funded training programmes. Similarly, it can provide training, mentoring and funding advice for local entrepreneurs or it can put them in touch with business advisers provided by Business Link.