A NEW parkland coastal path from Tilbury Fort to Shoeburyness is being promoted as a vision for the future by a partnership of councils that run along the Thames.

The Association of South Essex Local Authorities (ASELA) which includes Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock and Essex County Council is backing the bid for a new South Essex Estuary Park.

It will include a continuous and accessible coastal path stretching from Tilbury Fort to Shoeburyness.

The partnership says it will "mean every home will have easy access to high quality green space, creating new woodlands, restoring marshlands and a huge network of natural landscapes".

A statement adds: "The park will be a single, unified, regional parkland which will ensure that the natural wonders which abound throughout Essex are all connected as part of the same ecological community.

"This single park system will address the challenges of providing access to green spaces, improving health and well-being and air quality, mitigating the effects of climate change including flooding, boosting eco-tourism and green job creation, restoring biodiversity and helping the region achieve a net zero carbon footprint."

Thurrock Council leader Cllr Rob Gledhill is the chairman of ASELA and he said said: "This is a game changing project which understands that nature and the environment do not recognise local authority boundaries.

"The park vision takes advantage of joined up working to create a network of green spaces throughout South Essex which complement and support one another with improved connectivity and inclusive access.

"The local councils in South Essex have worked together to achieve this consent and now is the time to start to deliver it.

"The park will serve as a standard bearer for place-making ensuring that residents across South Essex have even better access to a diverse range of natural green or blue spaces and get the advantages of all the health and well-being benefits that creates.

"It will also provide carbon offsetting opportunities for local businesses right on their doorstop."