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Thames Gateway Growth Can Add £12bn a Year to UK plc with Crossrail
28 November 2006
 Three Regional Development Agencies today announced that the Thames Gateway can add £12bn a year to the UK economy – so long as money is spent on vital transport links and particularly Crossrail.
The London Development Agency (LDA), East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and South-East of England Development Agency (SEEDA) set out the case for investment today in a joint Economic Statement for the Thames Gateway. This follows the strategic vision set out by Communities and Local Government in the Thames Gateway Interim Plan last week.
Whilst economic growth will be critical throughout the area – notably in the town centres, there are four areas that will hold the key to the area's success Canary Wharf, Stratford City, Ebbsfleet and the ports of Shellhaven. With the 2012 Games already set to provide a catalyst for Stratford and much of the Gateway, further investment will also be needed in:
- Crossrail (followed by an extension to Ebbsfleet)
- Transport connections to Shellhaven (including connections to the M25)
- Development of future strategic links, including a lower Thames crossing
London Development Agency Chief Executive Manny Lewis said:
"London's economy is an incredible success story, but we have to act now to let that growth continue. The Thames Gateway has the potential to grow – but this won't just happen by itself. Without Crossrail, transport capacity will begin to creak and in particular Canary Wharf's growth will hit a brick wall. We need the investment – and the certainty of that investment from government and private partners – as soon as possible."
The Economic Statement also sets out how the three Regional Development Agencies will work together to address other issues needs in the Thames Gateway, including skills shortages, high levels of worklessness and climate change.
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