LONDON THAMES GATEWAY vital to the future of the UK

LONDON THAMES GATEWAY VITAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE UK ECONOMY

The Thames Gateway London Partnership (TGLP) today called for “brave, long-term thinking” and warning all political parties that to ignore the east of London and the Thames Gateway area would be extremely damaging.

‘Return on Capital; a prospectus for the future of the London Thames Gateway’ calls for politicians from all parties to pledge their support for the ongoing redevelopment of the Gateway. Ahead of the General Election, the prospectus highlights how investment in the area is not only good for the economy of London and the South East, but also essential for the economic success of the whole country.

In the document, Lord Falconer, the independent Chair of the cross-party TGLP, claims that investment in the area has already “renewed and revitalised a major part of our capital city and generated increased wealth for the UK economy.”

Ten essential steps include:

Delivery of essential infrastructure:

1. Keep the existing commitment to build the eastern end of Crossrail to Abbey Wood and Shenfield
2. High speed 2 to route include London Stratford station
3. An agreed and funded package of river crossings

Realistic Funding support:

4. Higher student numbers in our local universities and colleges
5. A new methodology for calculating population data that determines local authority funding
6. Funding for growth areas taking into account the effects of significant population increase

The right governance:

7. Strong national leadership for the Thames Gateway project
8. The right mix of delivery bodies

Developing the right relationships

9. Collaborative decision making about future development
10. Freedom to deliver on TGLP placemaking principles.

ENDS

For further information please contact Leon Panitzke, TGLP Communications on:
020 7673 4734 (m) 0788 766 1891
leon@thames-gateway.org.uk

Councillor Conor McAuley, Newham Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and TGLP’s lead on Transport and Connectivity is also available for comment.

Notes to editors:

1. The Thames Gateway London Partnership (TGLP) is a cross-river, cross-party organisation, made up of the 11 local authorities and the eight universities in the Thames Gateway London area, Dartford Borough Council, the local Learning and Skills Council and NHS London. It is a strategic advocacy and lobbying organisation but not a delivery body. Representing the whole of the London Thames Gateway (LTG) area, it campaigns on behalf of its members to ensure the area is able to live up to its enormous potential and remains a key national and regional priority.

2. TGLP is a small effective organisation, co-ordinating the voice of the public bodies delivering the development and regeneration of the LTG. Its role is to establish and articulate members’ collective views. Where there is value in co-ordinating effort sub-regionally, it takes the lead, complementing the work of partners at local level. Its independent Chair is Lord Falconer of Thoroton.