Medway Council have started working on the refurbishment of Sun Pier at Chatham Waterfront this month, complementing recent improvements in the riverside area.

The refurbishment of Sun Pier includes the repainting of the existing railings/metal work, replacing damaged timber decking where necessary, providing a new lighting scheme to match the scheme in place on the redeveloped river walk and the renewal of the benches.

Contractors began work in mid-January and have been progressing well, refurbishing the pier one half at a time. Already major changes are visible, with new timber in place and the upgraded railings to be fitted soon. It is expected that they will complete this project in around five weeks. Access to the pier is unaffected and will not disrupt local businesses.

The works at Sun Pier are the latest improvements in the riverside quarter, following the completion of the new-look river walk in early July last year. The footpath on Medway Street that runs along Staples has also been improved, providing a clearer and more direct link between the riverside and the core town centre shopping area. The regeneration work in the area over the past year is aiming to bring the riverside area back to life, and provide a foundation for further proposed development in the future.

Regeneration bosses at Medway Council have been working with partners to bring forward a key project aiming to regenerate the town centre over the past year, and have now hit a major milestone in the scheme.

Medway Council have now launched the public consulation for the Chatham Placemaking Project - which will run from Friday 15 January to 5pm on Friday 5 February 2016. People will be able to share their feedback via an online survey and council staff will also be in the Pentagon Shopping Centre on Thursday 21 and Friday 22 January, 9.30am to 5pm.

The local authority has been awarded £4 million of government funding to help regenerate Chatham and make it a better place for residents, workers and visitors. The funding will mark the start of an exciting new project, which will create an easier journey for pedestrians and cyclists from Chatham railway station to the waterfront bus station and town centre. Improvements will also be made at New Cut Junction, St John's Square, Military Square (High Street intersection) and the civic space on Military Road. Work on the five areas is expected to commence in 2016 and be completed in 2018.

mhs homes has commenced construction work on the redevelopment of Cross Street in Chatham town centre.

The development involves the impending demolition of 11-31 Cross Street and Grievson House to make way for the construction of three four-storey and one five-storey residential buildings, providing a total of 50 new homes. The plans include associated parking spaces and landscaping. The scheme at Cross Street is expected to be completed by Winter 2017.

​This scheme is one of three sites which Heart of Medway is redeveloping as part of ambitious plans to regenerate the Brook area of Chatham. The other sites being redeveloped include Eldon Street, and the land of a former garage site off Upbury Way.

Heart of Medway are nearing completion of the Upbury Mews which will have eight new homes; five one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and three two bedroom houses for shared ownership. In Eldon Street, Heart of Medway are building 19 homes; eight two bedroom houses and 11 one and two bedroom apartments. The new homes at both these sites are due to be complete in March 2016.

For more information on the regeneration project Heart of Medway are undertaking, please visit this page on the mhs homes online website.