The Thames Gateway Regeneration Project - Thomson Snell and ...

What are your initial views about the Thames GatewayRegeneration Project?Despite the reported lack of detailed knowledge of theregeneration project, 50% of those interviewed felt positivelyabout the project and could see the huge potential andopportunities it would bring. There was recognition that it was anambitious long term project and that this would ensureimprovements were sustainable. Some acknowledged that thearea was desperately in need of development and drew parallelswith the stunning results achieved at Canary Wharf. Somecommented on the visible improvements that were alreadyevident and the increased confidence amongst the public.“The Government must encourage businesses into the area. Itis a sensible area to be improving in view of proximity toFrance and the continent” Insurance“A project designed to pump considerable Governmentfunding into the area to improve standards and facilities bothsocially and economically. The Thames needs to be broughtback to life as does this region and the Government fundingput in place is designed to ensure that happens” Childcare“It comes out in the press in a haphazard way, e.g. 50,000new homes along the river. I spent a lot of time working atCanary Wharf and if we could do something similar I think itwill be successful. The area has a lot of wasted space andgeneral depression after the dockyard. Providing all theinfrastructure preparatory work is done then I am positive”Travel“Disappointed that Manston is not the third airport as thiswould have been very good for Kent and very few houseswould be affected. Otherwise the project is very good forKent, for the economy and for the UK as a whole”Insurance“It is a major project. Employment and housing will increaseand create wealth. It has a positive spin and everybody istalking about it. People are talking about communities andnot just bricks and mortar” Property development“It would be great if in fact it actually happens” AutomotiveOthers were concerned about the infrastructure deficiencies andthe slow progress and some saw an inherent conflict betweenthe needs of housing and industry or the impact on local peopleand local businesses. There was a minority who were cynical andsceptical and more than a few who felt that the project neededto be “more joined up” – particularly with regards to theinterdependencies between increased housing and greaterdemand for local services and the impact on business.“A lot of talk. Moving away from the traditional manufacturingindustries – square pegs in round holes” Manufacturing“A little sceptical. From an industrial sense, it all appears to beabout building a lot of houses and improving the quality of lifebut what are all these people going to do for work apart frombuilding, plumbing etc? What is going to be manufacturedhere? Major industry appears to be leaving these shoresanyway and so what will all these extra new people do otherthan possibly commute to London?” Manufacturing“Not quite joined up the dots, good idea but too manyquangos and consultants and not confident that they willpromote local suppliers” ConstructionThe major concern here is that half of the respondents hadneutral or negative attitudes towards the project which againsuggests that greater effort should be made to communicate theaims and progress of the project and to involve more of thebusiness community (and the local people) in the project.8