Medway Loses City Status Bid

Medway has missed out in its bid to be awarded city status to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

It was one of 25 towns vying for the honour as part of a competition launched by the Government in December 2010. The awards, made by the Queen on the advice of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, have gone to Chelmsford in Essex, St Asaph in Wales and Perth in Scotland.

Mr Clegg said the decision to award a new city in England, Scotland and Wales, and a lord mayoralty in Northern Ireland, reflected the significance of every part of the United Kingdom in diamond jubilee year.

He said: "Across the United Kingdom, I have been moved by the pride and passion which people have shown in putting their nominations forward The standard of application was very high, and those who missed out should not be downhearted."

The competition was the third time the Medway towns had put in a joint bid for city status, with previous attempts in 2000 and 2002.

Medway Council leader Rodney Chambers was magnaminous in defeat, saying the the bid showed the area has come a long way since the 1980s. "I would like to congratulate the three towns that have today gained city status.

"While we were, of course, hoping Medway would gain city status, we believe the bid created a huge amount of national publicity and this has helped raise our profile and show people how much this area has to offer.''

"The Medway of today is a thriving area, with a large population and regeneration continuing apace. We know Medway's journey continues, but it is definitely heading in the right direction.''