Published: 2 July 2025
Marking important milestones in the regeneration of Erith!
The Council has been working with local people and partners to deliver some impressive improvements in Erith making the most of its riverside location.
On Monday 30 June the Leader of the Council, Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE was joined by the Cabinet Member for Place Shaping, Cllr Munur and the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Cllr Diment to officially mark the end of the major refurbishment of the Riverside Gardens and the completion of construction of a new community space at 68 Pier Road.
The transformed gardens will open in stages to the public this week, bringing residents and visitors closer to the River Thames with new seating, a playground and outdoor fitness zone, as well as a community gardening area located along a ‘Thames promenade route’ running the length of the gardens. Some minor finishing work including planting and the installation of a ramp will continue after the gardens are opened to the public.
The new community space named ‘68’ by the public, will be operated by charity GCDA and is due to open in late July. Featuring a kitchen, a hireable events area and meeting rooms plus a Changing Places toilet facility, there will also be an indoor courtyard that can be used for outdoor events and for local people to meet and relax in.
Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE said:
“We’ve transformed the Riverside Gardens to make the most of its riverside location and we’ve created a new community space at 68 Pier Road for local people. We know that Erith has a lot of potential and we want this to be a springboard that enables Erith to take advantage of lots of other opportunities in the future so that it thrives as a place to live and do business”.
Riverside Gardens and 68 Pier Road are a key part of the broader Erith Regeneration Programme, which also includes work on Walnut Tree Road for pedestrians and vehicles and further improvements in Erith High Street. All of the improvements are being delivered by the Greater Erith Regeneration programme at the London Borough of Bexley and are funded by the Council, the Mayor of London and UKSPF.
