A FURTHER £42.2 million of Government money has been awarded to the Rochester Riverside development.

Added to money already allocated to Rochester Riverside, the latest award brings the total funding so far for the development to just over £91 million.

That includes money from the Government, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and Medway Council.

Cllr Rodney Chambers, leader of Medway Council, said the council and SEEDA had put a strong case to Government for the additional funding.

Cllr Chambers said: "We have been able to demonstrate our commitment to regeneration in Medway, and our ability to deliver that commitment. Rochester Riverside is our regeneration flagship.

"I am looking forward to the day, which won’t be too far off, when we start digging for the first footings."

His sentiments were endorsed by Cllr Jane Chitty, portfolio holder for planning and economic development, who said Rochester Riverside would be another major step towards a new Medway, full of life, jobs and culture.

"This is a massive and exciting programme," said Cllr Chitty. "We now have a blank canvas on which to create a new vibrant community which people will feel justifiably proud of and one which will benefit all of Medway."

Jonathan Sadler, SEEDA project director at Chatham Maritime, said: "We have worked in partnership with Medway Council to bring forward this site for regeneration and to secure the additional funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

"There can be no doubt that the transformation of Rochester Riverside will now take place. We can expect to let the major engineering contract for the new river wall within the next few months to enable development to take place.

"The regeneration will provide a fantastic asset for Medway and enable the local community to access 1.5 miles of riverside previously denied to it."

What the front will provide:

Rochester Riverside is on the north-eastern boundary of historic Rochester.

It has a 1.5 mile-long frontage to the river and is enclosed on its western and southern boundaries by the London-Dover railway line.

It offers a unique opportunity to create a new community overlooking the river that will complement historic Rochester and open up the river frontage to the public.

It is expected to provide:

* up to 2,000 homes;
* offices;
* hotels/conference centre;
* primary school;
* local leisure/shopping;
* riverside walk;
* public open spaces;
* community facilities and health provision.