After decades of neglect, Gravesend’s grandest landmark lies within weeks of a brighter future.

The clock tower has been standing in a sorry state off Harmer Street for years and has become a magnet for street drinkers.

Its stonework is crumbling and there is graffiti across the plinth, all of which blights a handsome landmark in the town centre and an important heritage icon.

In October last year the Messenger revealed the 126-year-old monument was set to get a spruce-up after Gravesham council made a bid for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Nothing has been heard from councillors since, but we can reveal that news of the funding will be announced by the end of the month.

Cllr John Burden, who applied for the cash when he was council leader, thousands of pounds has already been set aside for the work on the clock tower.

Funding

He said: “We’re committed to do the work. There is money in the fund for it.

“There is £40,000 allocated from the council and that goes with match-funding from Kent County Council members that has been put aside, so there should be about £50,000 to £60,000 in there.”

“What we’re looking to do is get £150,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and the decision from that should come in at the end of the month.

“There is money already in place and if they [council officers] try and deny that, I’ve got paperwork to show it’s clearly there.”

Work on the clock tower started in 1887 to mark the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. It cost £1,097 to build and work was finished by 1889.

If Gravesham council gets the news it is hoping for in two weeks’ time, a new lighting system would be installed to make the monument look more attractive.

As examples, the clock tower would be basked in red and green at Christmas, red and white during St George’s Day, and green on St Patrick’s Day.

The lights would illuminate the whole tower and council bosses hope the system will draw attention to the monument in a positive way.

Cllr Burden said: “It needs doing up and with proper scaffolding in place, the stone work is falling apart.

“It needs significant repairs and the clock face needs work.”