Recent Government announcements are proof the economic importance of the Thames Estuary is back on its agenda alongside the Northern Powerhouse, Midlands Engine and the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
Renewed interest in Thames Estuary
The renewed interest in the Thames Estuary hasn’t gone unnoticed by the area’s business community. More than 300 business leaders, many from the built environment sector, attended the Thames Estuary Development Conference to get a better understanding of the economic plans for the area.
The conference, supported by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, Opportunity South Essex and Thames Gateway Kent Partnership, came soon after the response by Communities Secretary the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP to the Thames Estuary Growth Commission 2050’s vision for the area.
Government commitment
In the response the Minister put forward a number of new measures as part of wider Government support, including a commitment to give:
- £1 million to establish a new Thames Estuary Growth Board to drive the area’s economic growth
- £4.85 million to support local partners develop low-cost proposals for improving transport services between Abbey Wood and Ebbsfleet
- a Cabinet-level Ministerial Champion will be appointed to act as an advocate and critical friend for the region within government.
The Thames Estuary continues to be a vital economic corridor between London and communities in Kent and Essex, with its ports being a 24/7 gateway to other international economies.
The executive summary of the response states: “The Thames Estuary has a long history of previous efforts to drive economic growth and productivity. The Thames flows from one of the world’s greatest cities through world-class wetlands and ports, yet despite some serious effort it still does not fully deliver on its great potential.
James Brokenshire has described the Thames Estuary as being on a comparable scale to the Midlands Engine, Northern Powerhouse and Oxford-Cambridge Arc.
The need to improve the area’s connectivity to the rest of the UK and mainland Europe has also been recognised with the Government’s support for a new £6bn Lower Thames Crossing between Tilbury and Gravesend.
Creative and Digital
In recent years, industries along the estuary have come and gone. Today there’s an emerging creative and digitally-driven economy that is sitting alongside the area’s more traditional ones of manufacturing, distribution and logistics.
The opportunities presented by the creative industries was recently recognised by the Government when the Government announced support for a Digital Skills Partnership. A further £4.3m has been provided to develop the Thames Estuary Production Corridor putting the creative industries at the heart of the Estuary’s industrial strategy.
Back at the top table of Government Policy
Speaking at the conference, Adam Bryan, Chief Executive of the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “During the last few years the Government’s economic focus has been on how best to regenerate the Midlands and the North.
“There is now the recognition in Government that its aspirations for the Midlands and North will be delivered quicker with a stronger Thames Estuary economy. This has put the area back at the top table of Government policy on growth and SELEP will ensure the business voice continues to be heard.
“SELEP has invested 40 per cent of its financial throughput into the Thames Estuary and it is central to our priorities. It was clear at the conference that there is a will to working together and we have the components required to drive growth and take the Thames Estuary economy forwards.
“It is imperative we make the most of this opportunity, put the strongest possible case and ensure we capitalise on the economic momentum developed across the area.”
Role of innovation
The Government has a cknowledged the role that innovation will have in supporting the area’s growth and supported the creation of the North Kent Enterprise Zone, covering Ebbsfleet Garden City, Innovation Park Medway and Kent Medical Campus.
Matthew Norwell, Chief Executive of Thames Gateway Kent Partnership, added: “The agenda for the Thames Estuary is now no longer simply about being a place where thousands of new homes will be delivered.
“Today, the focus is on how to create a balanced economy, one built upon high quality jobs and much needed infrastructure, which in turn drives the demand for well-designed quality new homes, and helps to create sustainable, prosperous and thriving communities.”