A major new package of investment in housing, jobs, infrastructure, community facilities and green spaces is set to rejuvenate areas of east London and transform the lives of people living there, announced Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint.

Improving the quality of life for residents and creating a sense of community is at the heart of a new £237million programme of measures to reinvigorate eight areas in the London Thames Gateway. Over the next three years, around 7,900 new jobs will be created and 8,200 new homes built by creating the right conditions for investment.

Spearheading this transformation is the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (LTGDC), which will drive forward the plan for regeneration in eight key areas; Canning Town, Lea River Park, Olympic Arc, Bromley-by-Bow, and the London Riverside areas of Barking Town, London Riverside Parklands, South Dagenham and Rainham Village.

Along with creating jobs, affordable family homes and parkland spaces, a programme of infrastructure improvements will be carried out to ensure communities that have, until now, been isolated are interlinked to each other through road improvements or installing pathways and bridges.

Housing and Planning Minister Caroline Flint said: “I am delighted to approve the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation’s action plan to create jobs and homes for thousands of East Enders.

We want to see real change in these parts of East London, which is why the Government is backing these plans with millions of pounds of investment.

Throughout the London Thames Gateway a lot has been achieved but now we need to see a gear change. Today’s plan is part of a comprehensive programme which will bring a real acceleration in momentum to maximise the opportunities the Gateway brings.”