£1bn goes on Medway 'renaissance'

Brownfield sites along the River Medway are to be developed

The investment of more than £1bn over the next 20 years into Medway has led to consultation so "people can put their stamp" on what happens.

It is hoped regeneration of the towns of Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Strood will turn Medway into "a premier European city", the council has said.

Council officers will be in Chatham town centre from Tuesday to Thursday to talk to residents.

And exhibitions are being staged from 20 March in the other three towns.

In a statement, the council said: "The people of Medway will be asked to help shape the city's bright, new future."

'Critical stage'

The authority said Medway was the "single biggest section of the Thames Gateway" - which has been named as a key growth area by the government.

A spokesman said: "At this critical stage in Medway's regeneration story, the council is staging a series of key public consultation events so that local people can put their stamp on the Medway of 2016 and beyond."

A 10-year Medway Renaissance Regeneration Framework includes the building of 8,000 homes and the creation of 10,000 jobs with the development of 11km of ex-industrial land along the river, he said.

Medway's regeneration programme has been backed with £97m from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the council added.