Havering Council has launched its vision for improving infrastructure in the borough and Thames Corridor. This was done at a Palace of Westminster reception sponsored by Jon Cruddas MP.

Those attending also heard from Paul Scully MP – Minister for London, the Rt Hon Ruth Kelly – Chair of Thames Freeport and Vera Kukic – Thames Estuary Growth Board.

Councillor Ray Morgon, the Leader of Havering Council, also spoke and set out the vision to those attending.

This includes:

• creating a North/South tram, light rail or other form of transport connecting Harold Wood via Romford, and Upminster to Rainham Beam Park C2C. This could further connect to DLR and the proposed Essex Kent Tram link.
• working with Digital Reef on building the new proposed East Havering Data Centre to create Havering’s own Silicon and Green Valley.
• delivering a new Beam Park Station and improved bus connectivity while unlocking housing and business growth as part of the Thames Freeport area and Beam Park housing zone.
• lobbying for enhanced utility and public transport infrastructure for the Riverside BID to help expand and create new employment and to provide opportunities to move away from reliance upon private cars for transport to and from work.
• building a new River Clipper station on the River Thames.
• unlocking a better Romford with a new Masterplan.
• improvements to Romford ring road (North Street roundabout)
• delivering additional housing and businesses at Harold Hill.
• creating an extension to the London Superloop to Havering

Havering Council says it will also have the wider benefit of Havering and its neighbours:

• pushing for an upgrade to Barking and West Ham stations to cope with more rail passengers at these strategically important interchanges
• maximising the potential of the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Thames Estuary Production Corridor
• working together across the region to create a strategic approach to infrastructure through the East London and Essex Masterplan
• working closely with GLA, Essex, Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham Councils to facilitate joint benefits from the Thames Freeport and London Riverside opportunity areas
• establishing a New Lower Thames Crossing junction, also helping to improve connectivity to the East Havering Data Centre, and the wider region including Kent
• capitalising on benefits and mitigate local negative impact of the Lower Thames Crossing

In order for this to happen it also sets out what needs to happen next, including calling for:

• Department for Transport to improve line speeds of C2C by digitalising line and reducing delays including level crossings.
• DfT and Network Rail to break the deadlock with C2C to Build Beam Park station
• Transport for London (TfL) to bring in new additional bus services connecting Havering to Rainham Beam Park, the BID area and Barking and Dagenham. And to stretch the Superloop to the borough.
• Work with the Port of London Authority, GLA and partners to utilise existing jetty infrastructure to provide a stop for the River Clipper plus new public transport services connecting to other transport nodes. TfL to support scoping of new North/South public transport connection.
• a wider strategic plan and Government cross party Commission to join the dots up on infrastructure for Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Thurrock, Southend and wider Essex.

The Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Ray Morgon, said: “I am really pleased to be able to set out this administration’s vision for Havering and the Thames corridor. We did this at an event to a number of key partners and stakeholders setting out what needs to happen to unlock investment and housing growth as well as allow residents to get around the borough for work, learning and leisure.

“For too long the Council has been inward focused. We now need to be ambitious to get the best for the borough. We also realise we can’t do this alone and need a wider strategic view across east London and Essex so we all benefit and work together to get the best outcomes.

“This is why we believe there needs to be a Government Commission to bring everyone together and have a wider view of what needs to be done. This includes the thorny issue of Beam Park station, improving rail links plus other issues such as being left out of the new Superloop.

“We have always been considered as an ‘outer outer London borough’ and this needs to change. It was very encouraging to hear from the stakeholders and partners at our event that they share the same ambition and to see that commitment to working together in a wider strategic approach, to get the best outcomes for all.”