Company
Erith Haulage formed
Tom Darsey founded Erith Haulage as commercial river work declined for Thames lightermen.
Our History
Built on experience. Driven by progress.
For more than half a century, Erith has grown from a small haulage business into a leading specialist contractor. Explore some of the people, projects, milestones and moments that shaped the Group.
82 milestones · 1967–2026
1967
People
Two employees and one lorry
The business began with Tom and Mrs Darsey and a single lorry.
Premises
From Swanton Road, Erith
The business initially operated from Tom Darsey’s home in Swanton Road, Erith.
Project
First contracts
The first contracts involved haulage of aggregates.
Premises
First business premises
The business leased Pheasant Garage, Belmont Road, Erith.
1969
Company
Erith Haulage Co. Ltd formed
Erith Haulage Co. Ltd was formed and registered at Companies House.
Capability
Aggregate supply service
The company began supplying aggregate to customers as well as hauling it.
1973
Company
Erith Demolition & Construction Co. formed
The demolition and construction business was established, expanding the Group into specialist demolition activities.
Growth
Haulage business acquired
A haulage business at Europa Trading Estate, Fraser Road, Erith was acquired.
Premises
Moved to Europa Trading Estate
The business moved to new premises at Europa Trading Estate, Fraser Road, Erith.
1975
Growth
Period of growth
Contract haulage expanded through the 1970s and the company invested in its own growing fleet.
Capability
Landfill site operations
Landfill operations commenced at Fishers Way, Belvedere.
1977
People
35 employees
The workforce reached 35 employees.
1979
Capability
Asbestos removal work commenced
Asbestos work expanded from minor residential jobs to occupied hospitals, offices and large industrial complexes.
Premises
First freehold site
A one-acre site in Manor Road, Erith was acquired and became known as Erith House.
1981
Premises
Riverside House acquired
Riverside House, Maypole Crescent, Darent Industrial Park was acquired and became the company headquarters.
1983
Capability
Asbestos Division formed
The business was formally awarded an asbestos removal licence.
Capability
Recycling operation commenced
Site-specific recycling operations commenced.
Premises
185 Manor Road purchased
Further premises were purchased at 185 Manor Road.
Growth
Further acquisition and diversification
An adjacent site and waste business were acquired, supporting waste transfer and recycling operations.
1985
Company
Erith Contractors Ltd
Erith Demolition and Construction Co. Ltd became Erith Contractors Ltd.
1987
Capability
Remediation operations commenced
The first land reclamation contract was undertaken for Circlehart Ltd at Purfleet, Essex.
Company
The Erith Group takes shape
Erith Holdings Ltd was formed and the companies became known collectively as The Erith Group.
People
90 employees
The workforce reached 90 employees.
1989
Project
First specialist remediation contract
A highly specialised remediation contract was undertaken at Edmonton.
1991
Project
Asbestos removal
A significant asbestos removal project was delivered at Thameside Hotel.
Capability
Waste handling and recycling
Waste handling and recycling works were undertaken at Thamesmead.
1993
Project
Excavation and earthworks
Pre-load earthworks for road construction were delivered at Thamesmead.
1995
Award
Considerate Contractor Award
The Prestons Road project received a Considerate Contractor Award from London Docklands Development Corporation.
Project
West Venture
Specialist demolition work included dismantling an oil rig.
Project
Hilton International Hotel
Specialist demolition works were undertaken at the Hilton International Hotel, Park Lane, London.
1997
Project
Project Atlantis term contracts
British Gas Properties awarded Erith specialist remediation term contracts for Project Atlantis.
Growth
First joint venture
Erith entered a joint venture to operate a landfill site at Dagenham, Essex.
Project
CMS Mills demolition
A land reclamation contract was undertaken at Purfleet, Essex.
People
172 employees
The workforce reached 172 employees.
Project
King’s Cross bridge demolition
A specialist bridge demolition project was completed at King’s Cross.
Project
Asbestos removal in Russia
Asbestos removal works were undertaken at a British American Tobacco manufacturing facility in Saratov, Russia.
Premises
Further land acquisition
11A Maypole Crescent was acquired opposite Riverside House to expand office, workshop and transfer-station facilities.
1999
Growth
Second joint venture
A joint venture was established to develop a brownfield site at Abbeywood, South East London.
Company
Sale of waste business
The waste business at Manor Road was sold via a management buy-out.
2007
Project
Olympic Park
Erith supported major works associated with the London Olympic Park.
Award
RoSPA Gold
Erith achieved RoSPA Gold recognition.
Premises
7 Queens Road acquired
The business expanded its property footprint with the acquisition of 7 Queens Road.
2008
Company
New corporate identity
A refreshed tagline and corporate identity were introduced.
2009
Award
Award-winning delivery
Erith received further industry recognition for project delivery.
2010
Project
Greenwich project
Major enabling and demolition works were undertaken in Greenwich.
People
200 employees
The workforce reached 200 employees.
Project
Lafarge Cement
A significant industrial project was delivered for Lafarge Cement.
2011
Growth
Expansion
The Group continued to expand its capability and operating footprint.
People
250 employees
The workforce reached 250 employees.
Project
Mardyke Farm
A major project milestone was delivered at Mardyke Farm.
2012
Project
Magnox framework
Erith was appointed to a long-term Magnox framework.
Project
Crossrail
Erith was awarded works on Crossrail.
Award
Specialists Awards winner
Erith received specialist industry award recognition.
Project
Horseferry Road
A major London project was delivered at Horseferry Road.
2013
Award
World Demolition Awards winner
Erith received recognition at the World Demolition Awards.
2014
Project
Oriana
A major project milestone was delivered at Oriana.
Project
London development campaign
Erith supported a major London development campaign.
Award
Leadership recognition
The business received industry leadership recognition.
People
315 employees
The workforce reached 315 employees.
2015
Training
Erith Training Services
Erith Training Services formed part of the Group’s growing capability.
Growth
Investment in plant
Further investment was made in the Group’s specialist plant capability.
Award
World Demolition Awards winner
Erith received further World Demolition Awards recognition.
2016
People
650 employees
The workforce reached 650 employees.
Project
Cruiserath, Dublin
A major project phase was delivered at Cruiserath in Dublin.
Award
CN100 recognition
Erith was recognised in Construction News’ CN100.
Innovation
Innovation
A high-visibility vehicle innovation featured in the timeline.
2017
Company
50 years of Erith
Erith marked its 50th anniversary.
Project
Cruiserath continues
Further project phases were delivered at Cruiserath, Dublin.
Award
Growth recognition
Erith received d&i 100 growth recognition.
Safety
Safety and wellbeing campaign
A Group safety/wellbeing campaign was launched.
Safety
Road Traffic Safety accreditation
Erith achieved BS ISO 39001:2012 Road Traffic Safety Management accreditation.
2018
Award
Demolition Specialist of the Year
Erith won the Construction News Specialists Awards Demolition Specialist of the Year.
2019
Award
World Demolition Award
Erith received the World Demolition Award and the Civils Demolition Award for Hanover Square.
2020
Award
Demolition Specialist of the Year
Erith again won Construction News Specialists Awards Demolition Specialist of the Year.
2021
Award
A standout awards year
World Demolition Awards, Construction News, British Demolition Awards and Considerate Constructors recognition highlighted a strong year.
2022
Award
Olympia wins World Demolition Award
The Olympia project won the World Demolition Awards Urban Demolition category.
2023
Project
Sizewell Turbine Hall
NRS awarded Erith the contract for hazard removal, de-plant and demolition of the Sizewell Turbine Hall complex.
2024
Award
National recognition across the Group
Erith collected ARCA, RoSPA, City of London, National Grid, Considerate Constructors and NFDC recognition.
Project
Ebbsfleet earthworks milestone
750,000 m³ of cut and fill was moved at Ebbsfleet during 2024, taking cumulative material moved there to five million m³.
2025
Project
Silvertown Tunnel
Erith’s haulage and logistics capability supported the new 1.4 km twin-bore road tunnel beneath the Thames.
2026
Growth
National infrastructure frameworks
The current portfolio includes Transport for London and Network Rail framework work alongside major national infrastructure delivery.