Thurrock in the Thames Gateway

Government Commitment

The Government has made a clear commitment to the future of the area.

  • In 1995 the Government recognised the Thames Gateway area as a national priority for regeneration and growth.
  • In 2003 the Government published the Sustainable Communities Plan – which identified the Thames Gateway as one of four growth areas in the south east.
  • In 2003 the Government set up the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation to bring new growth, jobs and homes to Thurrock. This reflected UK Government’s commitment to the area and to the Thames Gateway in general. The Development Corporation was tasked with delivering 18,500 homes and 26,000 jobs by 2021 and has £30 million of Government funding annually to help it achieve that goal.
  • In 2005 the London Thames Gateway Development Corporation was set up to regenerate the east London part of the gateway.
Key Projects in the Gateway

The Gateway is coming alive with a chain of new projects stretching along the Thames. These represent a huge opportunity for any business.

There are four key projects in The Gateway area that are particularly expected to drive economic growth:

  • Canary Wharf;
  • London Gateway (the major new port in Thurrock);
  • Stratford (being transformed for the 2012 Olympics) and;
  • Ebbsfleet (the new Channel Tunnel station and associated development).

Many more key projects are on the way including:

  • Transport projects like Ebbsfleet International station and Cross Rail that will transform connections in and out of London and Europe.
  • Riverside developments like Rochester Riverside or Gillingham Waterfront.
  • Town centre development in a range of towns such as Basildon and Southend, Grays and Purfleet.
  • Industrial and business park developments such as London Gateway.
  • Business and mixed use developments such as Greenwich Peninsula and Dagenham Dock.

The coming 2012 Olympics will transform East London and have a significant impact on the East of England beyond. New transport projects, major new facilities and sporting venues will reshape the area and generate a range of new opportunities.