Thurrock Area Assessment

Thurrock Area Assessment - About Thurrock

An Introduction to Thurrock

  1. Thurrock is a place of contrasts. Located on the north bank of the Thames in the South East of England, it has 4 main towns and 20 communities situated in a mix of greenbelt, semi-urban and heavy industrial environments.

  2. There are 150,700 people living in 63,500 homes. The population is expected to increase by 23% (some 34,000 people) by 2031 as a result of the planned 18,500 homes, improved health and inward migration. The population is not only growing but also changing in profile.

  3. Thurrock is an identified area for growth in the Thames Gateway. For Thurrock this means addressing the historical deficit in public infrastructure and services by seizing the opportunity presented by growth and regeneration. This is key to minimising the negative impact on social cohesion arising from the rapid pace of change.

  4. Thurrock owes much of its prosperity to its 29km of riverfront. For centuries Thurrock has been a strategic point for industry and trade. Today, the largest regeneration initiative in Europe is taking place at the east of the borough. Dubai Ports investment at London Gateway, a deep-water port, is expected to create an additional 12,000 jobs.

  5. Thurrock is well served by strategic communications - the M25, A13, Dartford river crossings, and direct links to London. There are plans to improve the strategic network "north-south" of the borough to enhance residents' ability to access facilities, services and potential new employment in the area.

  6. Thurrock is delivering an economic-led regeneration programme that will see the creation of an additional 26,000 jobs. Despite an increase in unemployment resulting from the recession, the number of residents in employment remains higher than national average.

  7. More than 12 large-scale capital projects, supported by considerable range of revenue programmes are planned to deliver economic growth in six priority areas. This is expected to diversify job opportunities for residents and increase average earnings.

  8. Royal Opera House is relocating its set-design and production facilities to Thurrock. The Production Park in Purfleet will include the development of a National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Industries, creation of community facilities through the restoration of a listed building complex, and floor space provision for additional business investment.

  9. Thurrock Learning Campus in Grays as well as a wide range of initiatives with local business and education providers have been introduced to encourage more adults and young people into higher and further education, a significant issue in Thurrock.

  10. The educational attainment gap between Thurrock's children and young people and national average is narrowing at all key stages. The number of young people in education, employment and training has been improving significantly each year.

  11. The current age structure is relatively young but the population will age significantly in the coming years with key care age groups (65+, 75+ and 85+) all growing substantially. Proportion of Thurrock's population living in disadvantage is quite low at 10%, however life expectancy of those residents is 8 years less than residents of more affluent areas.

  12. The health of residents generally compares to national trends. Thurrock's smoking cessation rates are the highest in the region and overall mortality rates and premature mortality from heart disease and stroke have improved.

Thurrock Area Assessment 2009 - full version (PDF 130.7kB)

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