Bexley is in south-east London within the Thames Gateway. The borough covers 23 square miles, bordered by the Thames in the north, Bromley to the south, Greenwich to the west and Dartford to the east. It has more than 90 parks and woodland areas, making it one of the greenest boroughs in London. It is also recognised as one of the safest boroughs in London.
With river views, Bexley’s riverside stretches nine kilometres along the south bank of the Thames between Greenwich and Kent, it has one of the highest levels of available industrial land in London and a large local labour force. It is home to a significant logistics industry – hosting the likes of Tesco.com and Ocado - but also boasts a growing number of small and micro businesses. It’s a Borough that has a rich heritage, historic houses and landmarks and that is focussed on the future, enabling new development and nurturing innovation.
Bexley has excellent road and rail connections, with the new Elizabeth Line service running from Abbey Wood in the north of the Borough through central London to Heathrow and Reading, and there are ambitions to take the service to Ebbsfleet in Kent connecting Bexley, Dartford, Gravesham and coastal East Kent.
Population projections 2021 246,500
Population projections 2050 296,361
The north of the borough contains two Opportunity Areas at Bexley Riverside (including Greater Erith) and Thamesmead & Abbey Wood and one Housing Zone
Around 9% of the borough is either designated employment land or town centre
18 % of the borough is Green Belt
Bexley has five large town centres, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Erith, Sidcup and Welling.
In the north of the borough is the Engine House Bexley which provides over 4600 sq. metres of co-working, office and workshop space – aimed at early stage and growing businesses
The borough is served by three rail lines providing Southeastern services into central London and out into Kent. It is also served by Thameslink via the North Kent Line whilst the Elizabeth Line terminates at Abbey Wood and is one of the busiest Crossrail stations in outer London. Example journey times from Abbey Wood Elizabeth Line station: To Canary Wharf – 11 mins; Liverpool Street – 18 mins; Paddington – 29 mins.
North Bexley has one of the largest areas of industrial land in the capital and a significant river frontage with a number of safeguarded wharves and the longest publicly accessible pier in London at Erith.
“Bexley is a thriving borough that has the best of both worlds – close to the centre of London but it is still a green, safe and friendly place to be.
With our riverside locations, strong community spirit and parks and woodland areas, the Borough is a popular place to put down roots and for new businesses to flourish. We have always been a Borough envied for our schools and are recognised as one of the safest and greenest places in London with huge potential for growth.
Our mission is to make Bexley even better.
We are ambitious for our borough – we want to secure investment so that current and future generations continue to live and work in a prosperous place.
New housing developments are sweeping away old housing estates and replacing them with good quality, modern homes. Commercial investment in our towns and employment areas is creating new jobs and improved local facilities.
The arrival of the Elizabeth line in the north of the Borough opens more exciting opportunities, but our ambitions for Bexley go further, and as a leading member of the Thames Estuary Growth Board, we are lobbying for the service to be extended to Ebbsfleet in Kent connecting Bexley, Dartford, Gravesham and coastal East Kent.
We continue to invest in our borough’s future and would welcome conversations with investors who share our vision for growth in our unique corner of London.”
The principles of the growth Strategy have been carried through to the Bexley Local Plan which sets out how good growth will be delivered to 2036.