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Thames Estuary masterplan to 'unleash growth for decades to come' unveiled

A new economic growth plan for the Thames Estuary is to be revealed today that will unlock regeneration and invigorate a 40 mile stretch from Canary Wharf to Southend and Thanet.

Experts drawn from business and government, led by Lord Heseltine, are to launch the ‘Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission’ at an event at the Queen Elizabeth II Park today, which will canvass business and other stakeholders before submitting plans ahead of the Autumn 2017 Budget.

Focusing around six key areas, the commission’s work is to revolve around fuelling investment and job creation through:

• Creating high productivity clusters
• Increasing connectivity
• Creating new homes and communities
• Securing investment
• Harnessing innovation in the built environment
• Putting it together: centres of excellence

Lord Heseltine, who has also led regeneration efforts at London Docklands and Liverpool city centre, believes the Thames Estuary has ‘incredible’ economic growth potential which the commission can help unlock.

He said: “This Commission presents a wonderful opportunity, not only to make the most of plans already afoot, but to look beyond that and forge ahead with a vision to unleash growth for decades to come.

“We have brought together world-leading industry experts and would urge others with an interest in the region and good ideas to now come forward and contribute.”

Over 3m people live along the stretch of the Thames and there are already a number of significant infrastructure and regeneration works planned or underway for the world-famous waterway.

These include the Tideway supersewer project, £300m development of the garden city in Ebbsfleet and the £1.5bn of private investment into London’s Gateway Port, amongst others.

Lord Heseltine’s growth commision is aiming to build upon and, where possible, further drive investment in the infrastructure and development works currently underway, working in tandem with the likes of Highways England and Transport for London.

One of the London boroughs who will fall within the scope of the work is Barking and Dagenham, and Council Leader Darren Rodwell has welcomed the launch of today’s commission and believes any benefits will be felt right across the country.

He commented: “I’m delighted to see new energy being injected into the regeneration of the Thames Estuary area. With the right interventions it can be a huge engine for growth and prosperity which would not only benefit local people, but could provide a huge boost to the UK economy.”

As part of today’s launch, businesses and other interested parties are being encouraged to submit ideas about how growth and investment can be encouraged in the area, and have until 9 September to express their views.

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