Multi-million pound government funding has been secured by Thurrock Council for the regeneration of Grays town centre.
Over £10 million has been awarded to Thurrock from the Local Growth Fund for the Grays South Project, which will transform Grays town centre over the next decade with a new crossing of the rail line, public squares, retail, leisure facilities, residential and offices.
Working with Network Rail – the existing level crossing in High Street will be replaced with a high quality pedestrian crossing under the railway to provide easier access unhindered by gate closures and to remove the safety concerns associated with the level crossing.
The Grays South Project will support the wider programme for the town centre including improvements to Grays Beach, developing options for a new theatre, improving the road system and supporting the creation of more than 4,500 new homes and over 1,600 new jobs in the area.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: “Our plans to improve the borough for residents have received another stamp of approval from government. It will give our community a town centre they can be proud of and want to use regularly.
“I would like to thank the Government for this significant grant and our MP, Jackie Doyle-Price, for her assistance in securing this money to help further improve Thurrock.”
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Mark Coxshall, said: “It is clear projects such as these make Thurrock an even more attractive place to live and work. Companies look at Thurrock and can see the exciting opportunities available to them and want to be a part of it.
“The regeneration of Grays is a key part of our plans to improve Thurrock for generations to come – creating more jobs and homes.”
Steve Hooker, Network Rail’s area director for Anglia, said: “Today’s announcement of local growth fund money is a big boost for Grays and for the railway.
“We will continue working together with Thurrock council to ultimately close the level crossing and develop an alternative that enhances the local area and provides a safer way of crossing the railway.
“We are committed to making the railway safer and more reliable as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan.”
For more information on Thurrock plans for growth, please visit thurrock.gov.uk/growth
