What is the Thames Gateway?
Physically the Thames Gateway ranges from East London to the coast of East of England and South East England. It incorporates the counties of Essex and Kent, connected by the Dartford tunnel and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge. It includes a large area of ‘brownfield land’ (former industrial) and is therefore the site of one of the biggest proposed developments in Europe. With the award of the 2012 Olympic Games to London, East London is undergoing massive regeneration. Tessa Jowell, Minister for London suggests that ‘One of our key legacy promises is to use the Games to enhance and accelerate the physical, economic and social regeneration of East London.’ The Thames Gateway has been divided into development zones, notably London, South East and East. Each of these zones has its own development bodies, with specific projects planned. The high speed rail link from Central London to Ebbsfleet and contintental Europe is now fully operational and Stratford City, near the Olympic Games site,
