What is the Thames Gateway?
Physically the Thames Gateway ranges from East London to the
coast of East of England and South East England. It incorporates
the counties of Essex and Kent, connected by the Dartford
tunnel and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. It includes a
large area of 'brownfield land' (former industrial) and
is therefore the site of one of the biggest proposed developments
in Europe. With the award of the 2012 Olympic Games to
London, East London is undergoing massive regeneration.
Tessa Jowell, Minister for London suggests that 'One of
our key legacy promises is to use the Games to enhance
and accelerate the physical, economic and social regeneration
of East London.' The Thames Gateway has been divided into
development zones, notably London, South East and East.
Each of these zones has its own development bodies, with
specific projects planned. The high speed rail link from
Central London to Ebbsfleet and contintental Europe is
now fully operational and Stratford City, near the Olympic
Games site, is already under construction. Environmental
concerns have been raised regarding the low marshland that
comprises much of the proposed development area.
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| THAMES GATEWAY FACTS |
| Thames Gateway area stretches 40 miles
(60km) from East London to the opening of the Thames Estuary. |
| London Gateway - a port and business
park at Shell Haven to be completed between 2008-11. |
| Ebbsfleet Valley - a new town with a
population of 40,000. |
| "Angel of the South" - a new sculpture
twice as high as the Angel of the North, budget £2 million
located at Ebbsfleet. |
| North Kent marshes - an environmentally
sensitive area and natural flood protection for London |
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Links below - maps from East
to West along the Thames
[Map below North Kent Marshes at Allhallows on Sea] |
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