Thames Freeport has received the final seal of approval from the Government and is now poised to unlock huge opportunities for the borough and beyond.

This week Thames Freeport was given the go ahead to formally constitute its board and start operating fully, following the approval of the final business case by the UK government.

The freeport is one of the most exciting development projects in the UK. It is a partnership between the public and private sector led by the Port of Tilbury, DP World and Ford, which will create an economic zone boosting the country’s low-carbon economy, helping businesses to collaborate, innovate, and develop the technologies and supply chains that will underpin our journey to Net Zero.

It will see over 1,700 acres of land redeveloped, attract more than £4.6billion of public and private investment and put an extra £2.6billion a year into the UK economy, creating up to 21,000 new jobs as well as delivering significant investment in training and skills with world class opportunities for local people as it attracts cutting edge industry – a centre of innovation, decarbonised fuels, smart technology, and light freight on the river Thames -setting a standard for a green, net zero freeport of the future.

Thurrock Council will have a key democratic voice as a member of the Thames Freeport Governance Board, working alongside representatives from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and the London Borough of Havering as permanent members to help ensure residents’ voices are heard and they have full access to all the fantastic opportunities that Thames Freeport will deliver.