REDEVELOPMENT of the former Coryton Refinery is progressing with another 34 previously used oil storage tanks now being taken down as part of the site clearance and preparation work required for development of the planned Thames Enterprise Park.

Previously there had been more than 200 tanks on-site during the refinery's peak in the 1970s and 80s.

Across the site, above-ground structures have been decommissioned, cleaned, and then demolished or removed in phases.

Work by specialist contractor DSM started earlier this month and will continue until Autumn 2024.  They will take down the empty and clean oil tanks.

Specialised tools will cut the steel tanks into 'plates' which are then weighed and transported to Ward, an approved scrap metal merchant within ten miles of the site to reduce emissions. The metal is recycled and repurposed for future use. 

Thames Enterprise Park, which has been identified as one of Thurrock Council's identified 'Growth Hubs', is projected to transform the 412-acre brownfield site on the Thames Estuary into a strategic employment and infrastructure centre, creating up to 5,500 new jobs.

Rupert Wood, Head of Strategic Land at ALMCOR, on behalf of Thames Enterprise Park, a joint Venture between ALMCOR and Greenergy, said: "Deconstruction of the former oil storage facilities is an important step in realising the size and scale of the opportunity at Thames Enterprise Park. This is one of the biggest regeneration projects in the South East – converting over 400 acres of brownfield land into a new economic asset and employment hub for Thurrock.

"When complete, Thames Enterprise Park will provide 5,500 new jobs in growth industries within one of Thurrock's six growth hubs. More than £1 billion of private sector capital will be invested, resulting in more than £350 million per year delivered back into the local economy. That's £3.5 billion of economic impact over the first 10 years of operation here in Thurrock."