Government commits to Thames Gateway regeneration
The coalition government has pledged to support the Thames Gateway regeneration project begun by Labour but the minister responsible for it will review how money is spent on the scheme.
Speaking at the annual Thames Gateway reception at the Houses of Parliament last night, Bob Neill said that the plan to build 160,000 homes in the 40-mile strip of land to the east of the capital was ‘a great and important initiative’.
However the MP for Bromley and Chislehurst in south east London added: ‘I want to take a look at how money has been spent in the past and at what we need to learn for the future.
‘We need to avoid such money as there is being spread too thinly. We need to take a look at simplifying the delivery mechanisms – it looks a bit like the wiring on an Exocet missile at the moment.’
An official for the Thames Gateway later added that any changes to the government spending programme in the region would be made as part of the spending review process in the autumn.
Mr Neill also called on local authorities in the Thames Gateway to take greater control of the development of the plans for the region.
‘It isn’t about central government diktat,’ he said. ‘We want to give back to the people of the Thames Gateway the chance to shape and steer their communities.’
The minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to continue with the £16 billion Crossrail project to build an east-west link across the capital.
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