Northfleet has featured strongly in the history of making cement.

With plentiful supplies of raw materials and the River Thames transport network close by, it was the ideal area for production.

By the end of the 19th century, there were as many as 27 cement producers along the banks of the river Thames and Lower Medway Valley.

Due to the exhaustion of chalk reserves, the Lafarge Cement Works, in The Shore – the last remaining cement works in the South East – ceased clinker production last week.

Not all will be lost as the site will be redeveloped as an import terminal, continuing to supply the South East market with cement.

For a special report on the works click here >>>