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About Thurrock

Situated within the Thames Gateway in South Essex, just to the East of London, the Borough of Thurrock covers an area of 64 square miles with over 18 miles of riverside stretching along the Thames Estuary.

With a population of 143,000, Thurrock is characterised by sub-urban development South of the A13 with more scattered rural communities in the North of the Borough.

The area is home to Lakeside Shopping Centre and several important industrial sites including Coryton Oil Refinery and the Port of Tilbury. Thurrock is also strategically positioned on several key transport corridors including:

• The M25 London Orbital Motorway
• The Dartford Crossing
• The high speed rail link leading to the Channel Tunnel
• Rail connections directly to London and the wider South-East region
• The Port of Tilbury

Thurrock has the potential to significantly enhance its role as an important centre for international trade and enterprise. There are also extensive brownfield sites along Thurrock's riverfront which provide some of the greatest residential, commercial and industrial development opportunities in the country.

However, Thurrock has a wide range of complex land-use and land assembly problems that currently constrain housing and economic growth. The area's economic base is characterised by the logistics and distribution centres, resulting in a narrowly based and relatively low value economy and some of Thurrock's communities experience the most acute levels of multiple deprivation in South Essex, together with associated social problems. The Thurrock Thames Gateway DC Baseline Study provides further information on the current social, economic, environmental and physical characteristics of Thurrock.

With the opportunity and need for social and economic regeneration established, the role of the Corporation is clear.

The Corporation has produced a little Blue Book with facts about Thurrock, its history, life and people. If you would like a hard copy please contact us.

For further information about Thurrock please visit the Thurrock Council website at www.thurrock.gov.uk.