PROPOSAL for a unique regeneration scheme for historic Tilbury Riverside are just a few weeks away from a final funding decision from Heritage Lottery.
The £2.4m scheme has already secured 50% of the total funding required for the scheme through a generous donation from Port of Tilbury London Ltd, and now needs a positive decision on November 20th from Heritage Lottery’s East of England Board.
Earlier this year consultants KDC London launched exciting ideas to restore the historic Grade II* listed railway station, which has stood derelict since its closure by British Rail over twenty years ago.
Plans were unveiled to create a living monument to the arrival and departure of many thousands of passengers to and from the port, including the arrival of the Empire Windrush in 1948, the departure of the “£10 Poms” over the 1940s, 50s & 60s and many others who came through Tilbury in its glamorous heyday.
The Big Ocean Project focuses on the restoring Tilbury Riverside railway station, jetty and floating landing stage, built by Sir Edwin Cooper for the Port of London Authority in 1924. The plans include a history trail for visitors to explore and celebrate the extraordinary story of the area’s heritage.
In the run up to the funding decision in November, the newly formed charity Big Ocean Heritage Trust is asking local residents and supporters for their vital support by liking and sharing its Facebook and Twitter pages at www.facebook.com/bigoceanproject and www.twitter.com/bigoceanproject
Perry Glading, Chairman of Big Ocean Heritage Trust and Chief Operating Officer for Forth Ports PLC said: ‘It’s with tremendous pride that we’ve been able to launch this bold scheme for historic Tilbury Riverside – we look forward to a positive funding decision from Heritage Lottery in order that we can deliver this innovative idea for the local area’
David Kampfner of KDC London, the consultants working on the scheme, said: “We’re very excited to be working on this ambitious plan for Thurrock: we want to celebrate the legacy of Tilbury Riverside over the 20th Century – we hope that with local support we’ll be able to save these beautiful listed buildings and tell their stories of the many thousands who came through the landing stage and railway station to begin new lives both here and abroad.”
