The Brewery shopping center in Romford could be redeveloped to create a new station entrance and uncover the River Rom.
Big changes could happen to the town center. The plan dreams of uncovering the River Rom. Parts of the river are now hidden underground. One section flows under the Brewery shopping centre.
This shopping center will be redeveloped, and the masterplan includes this change. Shops would shift to new buildings near the river. The uncovered river would have Brewery Gardens on each side; it will be a park.
Havering Council wants a new station entrance. This entrance faces Exchange Street. It will sit at the park’s south end too. The plan aims to use the viaduct’s historic archway where goods trains once used. The new entrance could incorporate it.
The masterplan suggests more changes. They want to turn the ring road into a boulevard, including new crossings and plants. Parking would go away from Market Place. This change helps improve public spaces, allowing people to enjoy the area more.
The blueprint envisions a rapid transit system running north to south in town. Specific plan details remain unclear right now. They mention space for trams on Waterloo Road, showing a possible plan detail, though the plan is still in outline form.
Smaller blocks and new streets are included; they want a “finer urban grain.”This helps create a better town center feel. The council consulted on the draft plan last year, lasting six weeks for reviews, with few big changes afterward.
They added a goal after the public input, aiming for a “safe and inclusive” town center. Development should achieve that goal. The council scrutiny committee will discuss the plans.
That’s the next step slated for discussion, with the meeting next Thursday. Havering’s cabinet should adopt the plan very soon. Watch for this the following week for this important step in the adoption.