OPTIMISM and opportunity are not words that spring readily to mind when anyone attempts to make an evaluation of the future of Thurrock.

Its bungling, damned unitary council is burdened with more than a billon pounds of debt. Its overburdened roads are creaking at the seams. The number of people waiting with little or no hope of climbing a council-house waiting list runs into many thousands. And its planning process has been slammed by its own councillors as inept and is subject to an ongoing police investigation.

In short, it's hard not to describe the place as the archetypal 'rotten borough'.

There is, however, still a beacon of hope of an economic revival as the recently agreed Thames Freeport is starting to flex its potential and considerable muscle while its leaders get to grips with replacing a list of problems with a prospectus for growth.

Thurrock Nub News editor Neil Speight recently had the opportunity to sit down and discuss the challenges facing three of the leading lights of Freeport, former government minister Ruth Kelly who is its chair, and directors Alan Shaoul - chief financial officer at DP World in the UK – and Peter Ward - Commercial director and senior manager at the Port of Tilbury.

The premise of the Freeport speaks for itself. As does the scale of the project that encompasses much of the borough.

Confirming its launch in 2021 the government outlined exactly what its aspirations are, saying:

"The Freeport is an economic zone located in the Thames Estuary and UK's largest port – the Port of London.

"With 1,700 acres of development land, no location can match Thames Freeport for access to Europe's largest consumer market and its excellent connectivity to 18 million people.

"A partnership between Ford, Forth Ports Limited and DP World, Thames Freeport will see over £4.6 billion in new public and private investment, and the creation of over 21,000 new jobs and many more across supply chains. 

"Significant investment in training and skills will contribute to the 'levelling-up' of the communities and businesses in East London and South Essex."

It would be fair to say that the project remains something of a 'slow burner' and significant benefits rather than promises have still to materialise.

And that has led to some fears about what the Freeport is really about.

Is it a panacea to cure Thurrock's ills – with a brief to benefit the lives of residents – or is it simply a charter for big business to make more money off the backs of the borough's already beleaguered and battered communities?

At first sight it's difficult to see that the Freeport is the silver bullet solution or remedy for all the borough's difficulties.

But talking to the trio of top brass, there does appear to be a genuine empathy towards the problems of residents.

Yes, the Freeport is about growth, bolstering the economy and attracting business. But all three were quick to reject the suggestion that there are no legacy benefits for Thurrock and its people.

Ms Kelly certainly acknowledged the economic targets – but when asked: "What price will be paid by residents in Thurrock towns and villages adjacent to the borough's ports to achieve the maximum commercial gain from Freeport?" she was quick to refute the suggestion that it's growth at any price.

Ms Kelly, who has served in high office for Labour governments including roles as secretary of state for Transport, for Communities & Local Government and for Education as well as holding ministerial roles in the Treasury, was certainly clear about its objectives.

She told Nub News:

"Thames Freeport is a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to stimulate trade, drive innovation, support energy transition, and transform the lives of people in London and the boroughs to its east.

"We offer the infrastructure, investment and inspiration needed to transform supply chains, decarbonise operations and leave a lasting legacy for local communities."

"Thames Freeport prides itself on supporting the long-term growth of its partners' operations in Thurrock, which serve as an integral part of the local and national economy."

But she was equally adamant that people also play a part, saying: "It is our intention that any expansion to our business does not adversely impact the towns, villages and residents in Thurrock."

"We have a firm commitment to improving the lives of local residents – seen through our investment programmes in schools and local health organisations, provision of high quality jobs and funding of key community infrastructure projects."

And, with likely continued high and above standard increases in council tax set to repeatedly burden borough residents in coming years as the council tries to closes its anticipated multi million pound spending gaps, Ms Kelly says changes in legislation will mean that Thurrock will get to keep more of its business rates. And that obviously means if more businesses come to the Freeport area or existing ones expand, the borough's public purse will get a much-needed boost.

She says: "One of the incentives provided for the Freeport by the Government, is that a proportion of new Business Rates generated by businesses setting up in the designated tax site areas, can be retained in the area.

"Linking new business to the retention of local of tax will provide for a substantial local investment fund.

"It can be used for infrastructure projects, such as those that make it easier for people to get to work, and local facilities that, for example, improve training and skills and support regeneration of the area. This could amount to a multimillion-pound programme.

The Government has also made £25 million available to the Freeport in "seed capital" for local projects.

The trio acknowledge that Freeport will have a part to play in changing the borough's infrastructure and operational procedures.

For example Mr Shaoul says DP World has been liaising recently with councillors, residents and the local forum in East Tilbury to work out a better solution to the passage of containers along the local rail line.

East Tilbury has long been a focal point for complaints about the length of time each day that the crossing barriers at either end of the village, which effectively cut it off on its only two access points, are closed.

The increase in freight with the development of London Gateway port has already exacerbated that problem – and with a new berth due to be commissioned next year, and more to follow, it's a problem likely to get worse.

Changes have already been made to help ease the impact of rail freight at East Tilbury. More discussion is to follow and Freeport is looking at how it might help improve village infrastructure

Throw into that DP World's commitment to putting more freight on trains – and the pending development of more than 1,000 new homes in the village – and the region's blueprint shows that East Tilbury and surrounding villages are right at the epicentre of expansion.

Residents feel disenfranchised and alienated and that, says Mr Shaoul, can't be allowed to happen.

As requested by the Local Residents forum,  changes will be made in October to the scheduling for freight trains, which will reduce the impact on residents who are waiting for extended periods during peak hours. This is a move recently welcomed by local councillor Fraser Massey and the Welcom Forum. And more dialogue is planned.

Freeport's directors also recognise they have a role to play in infrastructure change for residents, which could include engagement in the process to deliver a long-awaited relief road and bridge for East Tilbury.

Mr Shaoul says:

"This is an area we have already worked on closely with residents, local MPs and councillors.

"More generally, we have been looking at policy solutions alongside local government to support the alleviation of potential transport issues."

Port of Tilbury has also made great strides in changing its transport mechanisms.

Mr Ward said:

"Over the past five years the Port has overhauled its rail offering, with the creation of a dedicated bulks terminal for moving recyclables and building material to London and beyond for projects like HS2, while also building two new terminals capable to supporting the longest container trains on the network.

"These measures combined have led to a tripling of getting HGVs off the roads. The Port of Tilbury is projecting rail freight growth to reach 30 trains per day by 2027, with rail-connected development land being progressed through the Thames Freeport too."

And there's a commitment from Freeport to engage in another long-awaited relief road, to take HGVs from the expanded Stanhope Industrial Park near Stanford to trunk roads without having to thunder through the town's tight and busy residential roads.

That is a project that will require a lead from Thurrock Council – but Ms Kelly, Mr Ward and particularly Mr Shaoul acknowledge Freeport has a role to play and DP World says it will work constructively with the council to find solutions that address residents' concerns around traffic from the industrial estate going through the town centre. 

Thurrock Council needs to take a lead but DP World says it will work constructively the authority to find solutions that address residents' concerns around traffic from Stanhope industrial estate going through the town centre.

Which highlights the vital link between Freeport and Thurrock Council.

It would not, on appraisal of the lack of a local plan and the absence of any definitive strategic plans for business, be unfair to say the council has been sat on its hands over recent years.

In 2012 it was given back widespread powers after the Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation was discarded by the government.

The council has failed in most of the objectives it has set since then!

Most spectacularly it has failed in every measurable statistic to effectively manage the A13 widening project. And the proposed regeneration of Stanford rail station remains a not very funny joke.

Both projects continue to make headlines - and exacerbate Thurrock's reputation as poor infrastructure managers.

Councillor Andrew Jefferies has had to admit to the many failures of Thurrock Council on infrastructure projects.

Only today, Nub News reported on council leader Cllr Andrew Jefferies' embarrassing admission to the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP).

And the outcome of the botched Stanford rail station is not just a blot on the local landscape - it's a cash carbuncle of crisis proportions

DP World London Gateway was closely involved with the preparatory work and funding of both projects. It was probably prudent not to ask Mr Shaoul about the council's management capabilities.

In 2020 there appeared to be a chink of light when the council's strategic lead for economic development, Stephen Taylor, produced a report for cabinet and the planning, transport and regeneration overview and scrutiny committee.

It would be fair to say while there were some councillors who offered the plan a cautious welcome, there was a more overwhelmingly lukewarm response from the majority.

And it would be fair to say that almost exactly two years on – not a lot has been progressed – though the world has changed considerably because of the Covid pandemic and the significant collapse in the economy.

What is relevant now is that Mr Taylor has just been appointed as the council's head of 'Thames Freeport Accountable Body Delivery' and he has been charged with co-ordinating and facilitating work to protect the Council and maximise the benefits from delivery of the Freeport.

The requirement for Freeport and the council to work together is clearly recognised by its leaders and in a joint statement, Ms Kelly, Mr Shaoul and Mr Ward said: "The Leader of Thurrock Council will have a seat on the Thames Freeport Governing Board.

"In addition, senior officers in the Council meet regularly with the Freeport executive team to work together on a range of issues including regeneration, skills and employment, transport and access to jobs in the ports and matters requiring planning consents.

"Furthermore, Thurrock Borough Council remains the accountable body for Thames Freeport.

"We are proud to partner with Thurrock Council, alongside the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and London Borough of Havering too. The authorities share our vision for turbo-charging a high-tech industrial base along the Thames Estuary, with new employment opportunities and investment in skills and life-long learning.

"Thurrock Borough Council will play a vital role in the development of the Thames Freeport, especially in terms of local regeneration, funding key infrastructure projects and providing local programmes that support residents and businesses alike."

The latter is a bold statement given Thurrock Council's parlous financial position.

Freeport does add: "We also partner with the Thames Estuary Growth Board which strives to make the most of the region's unique assets and unparalleled location to turn its potential into good, green growth for the local area and the national economy.

"Thames Freeport believes in the importance of working with local authorities to achieve the best results for everyone."

However, Thurrock Council does stand head and shoulders above the Freeport's local non business partners and concerns remain that Freeport is taking a more upbeat perception of its capabilities than it can deliver.

Thurrock Council's vault has been emptied by its leadership's incompetence.

The council is on a massive cost-cutting programme. All but statutory obligations will be pared right down – and even statutory services delivered to the lowest permissible standard.

There appears to be a real dichotomy in play. Freeport has a shopping list it is looking to Thurrock Council to deliver. The council is basing its very survival on reducing services and cutting functionality.

Nub News asked Freeport about the 21,000 jobs it talks of creating in the immediate region.

Mr Speight asked: "How many unemployed working age, working fit residents are there in Thurrock? It's my guess there will be a huge labour (and skillset) shortfall – how do you plan to bridge the gap?"

Freeport responded:

"It is correct to say that more than 21,000 new jobs are expected to be created across our sites, the majority in logistics and added value manufacturing. The ambition of Thames Freeport is to ensure that the majority of those jobs go to local people. Our strategy for achieving this is centred on:

• Re-designing job brokerage activity across the region – currently there are many agencies involved in trying to help place people into employment: we want to explore how we can make the system and process better for people looking for work

• Stronger engagement with communities – we have started a programme in Tilbury, which will use the local community hub to provide the residents of the town easy access to information about the ports, the jobs that are available and the support and training that is available.

• Ensuring that the providers of skills training are working more closely with businesses so that they have training courses ready to meet the needs of employers

"At Thames Freeport, we adhere to Thurrock Borough's Council 'live, work and play' approach to these issues.

"For the skillset shortfall, we have implemented cutting-edge skills development programmes, including degree apprenticeships, a Logistics Academy, and Institutes of Technology, giving residents the necessary tools to live and work in Thurrock.

"This has been done in tandem with STEM programmes implemented in local schools, with the aim that graduate students can develop the experience to confidently source skilled jobs in their home towns.

"We always strive to add economic and societal value to the local communities where we are present through access to jobs.

"Thurrock Council shares our vision for turbo-charging a high-tech industrial base along the Thames Estuary, which has led to new employment opportunities and continued investment in skills and life-long learning across the region." 

Thurrock Council may share the vision, it remains to be seen how much it can do to help bring it about.

In a later article we plan to share move of the conversations with directors about specific infrastructure issues and talk more about the training and education initiatives Freeport believes it can deliver. Some, indeed, are underway.

But to round off this first dialogue we asked a simple question.

In 25 years' time what will be the Freeport legacy for Thurrock?

And were told:

"The Thames Freeport's legacy will be focused on two key areas: commerce and community.

"The significant build-up of logistics, trade, transportation and warehousing businesses across the Lower Thames region and Thurrock has had an enormously positive impact on the area. Increased levels of investment, more funding for local councils and job creation have been consistently delivered as part of our long-term commitment to Thurrock.

"The growth of the Thames Freeport at Thurrock, will also be a boon for the borough's 170,000+ residents, who we've directly invested in through our education, youth, upskilling and local health initiatives.

"We strive to offer the infrastructure, investment and inspiration needed to transform supply chains, decarbonise operations and leave a lasting legacy for local communities. 

"We believe that this long-term commitment to improve the social and economic conditions in Thurrock is already being felt and will certainly be a core part of our legacy in the area in 25 years' time.

"We will continue to work in, for and alongside the residents of Thurrock to deliver the best possible result for the region."