Beckett: 'Thames Gateway to become a showcase for sustainable living'

The Thames Gateway is in a strong position to weather the current economic storm and grow in the long term, Thames Gateway Minister Margaret Beckett announced in a major speech today.

Backed up with £9.6 billion Government investment, the Thames Gateway is a prime example of how Government intervention and support is helping deal with the global economic pressures, the Minister said.

New projects are starting or progressing all the time and the long-term prospects for the Gateway remain strong across the region. For example, the Thames Gateway now has one of the largest single inward investment projects in the UK in the last two decades.

At the Thames Gateway Forum in East London, the Minister set out a raft of new measures to further boost the region, including transforming it into a world-leading eco-region that will make it a showcase for sustainable living.

A proposed "eco-quarter" is the centrepiece of a new 47-point strategy that will ensure economic development and regeneration creates a greener way of life for residents.

The strategy is being accompanied by up to £35m being awarded to create green and open spaces throughout the Gateway as part of the Parklands programme.

Education is also receiving a boost. Measures were announced to plug a skills shortage in the region through the new Thames Gateway Skills Framework. Currently only 20% of people in the Gateway have degree level qualifications or equivalent compared to nearly 30% in England.

The framework is a commitment from government departments and funding agencies, regional development agencies, universities and colleges to work together to equip local people with the skills needed to meet future employment needs.

Thames Gateway Minister Margaret Beckett said: "The financial downturn poses new challenges for towns and communities across the country. But I believe that we have sound reasons to remain optimistic for the Gateway's long-term prospects.

"Over the past year the first contracts have been awarded for the construction of the world's most advanced container port, London Gateway. New schools and campuses have opened across the region, including the Financial Skills academy at Tower Hamlets. Construction has begun on the Olympic stadium three months ahead of schedule.

"So now is not the time to give up on the Gateway or start watering down our ambitions. In fact, it is more relevant today than ever before.

"And today's eco-region strategy and Skills Plan are just two of the projects ensuring we remain on course to ensure the success of one of the most ambitious regeneration schemes in Europe."

Good progress has already been made since the launch of the Gateway Delivery plan last year and confidence in the region continues to grow:

• The first contracts have been awarded for the construction of the UK's most advanced container port, London Gateway. This is one of the biggest single inward investment projects in the UK in the last two decades.
• Canary Wharf is still planning to grow over the long term and investment bank J.P. Morgan announced last week a deal with Canary Wharf Group to start construction on a new Europe Headquarters.
• New schools and campuses have opened across the region, including the Financial Skills Academy at Tower Hamlets.
• Construction has begun on the Olympic stadium three months ahead of schedule

The Thames Gateway is a huge project with unique strengths derived from four economic drivers: Shellhaven, Ebbsfleet, Canary Wharf and Stratford City. In the coming year more progress will be seen.

Margaret Beckett will oversee the transition this week of the day to day management of the Gateway to the new delivery body the Homes and Communities Agency.

This means funding and expertise will then be in one place, making it easier for investors and local authorities to regenerate the region.

And transport links will keep on getting better, bringing jobs to people and vice versa. The DLR Woolwich extension will open in February. The renovation of Gillingham station will get under way. And fast domestic services will be running between Ebbsfleet and St Pancras this time next year.