Ambitious plans to transform the Thames Estuary have been crafted on the river.
The Thames Estuary Growth Board, which will unlock substantial growth in the area, met on a Thames Clipper to begin detailed planning.
In March 2019, the Government backed a report by the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission and published a bold vision for growth in the Estuary - including transport enhancement, house building, business creation and environmental improvement.
The plan could create 1.3 million jobs, 1 million homes and contribute £190 billion to the national economy by 2050.
Since then, the Government has appointed Kate Willard as Thames Estuary Envoy and chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board. It will be made up of a diverse mix of public, private and third-sector leaders once finalised.
Political appointees from across the Estuary are on board from London, Essex, Kent and Medway, with the River Thames itself represented by the Port of London Authority.
The board met on the river to get a better understanding of its geography and discuss some of the challenges they face.
Kate said: “We are thrilled to get started on realising the huge potential of the Thames Estuary.
“It was hugely important we developed our thinking on the river itself. There are already plans in place for a whole raft of improvements across the Estuary and the Board is clear our role will be to add value to these initiatives without duplicating effort.
“We will develop and lead a portfolio of new initiatives and we will be bold and creative in our thinking to make amazing things happen across the Estuary for communities, businesses, investors and for UK plc.”
The Thames Estuary Growth Board will publish its Action Plan in May.
Find out more about the government’s ambitious vision and delivery plans for the Thames Estuary read our response (25 March 2019) to the Thames Estuary Growth Commission report.