Underpass included in plans for Grays regeneration in bid for £25 million funding from the Town Centre Plan.

Grays in Essex is a step closer to securing up to £25 million of government funding towards regeneration, following last month’s planning application.

Thurrock Borough Council have been working on plans for a pedestrian walkway underneath the railway line. LRS provided Land Referencing Services for the project, and construction is set to begin this summer.

Grays is looking to secure up to £25million of government funding to accelerate the regeneration of the town. The Council plan on reconnecting the town with the river and improving the station gateway. This is in addition to creating a brand new beach destination and maritime activity centre.

Grays Towns Fund Board submitted the plans to transform the town into the leisure heart of Thurrock. These intend to make Grays a healthier and more attractive place to live, work, learn and play.

If funding is secured, the beach destination will open up the riverside, providing a new active space for local residents and visitors to enjoy.

A riverfront activity centre will provide activities such as canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. This will embrace the town’s maritime identity and celebrate its rich heritage.

Welcoming Space

Grays redevelopment means improvements to the station gateway will create a welcoming space, better placed to support the local economy.

The High Street underpass will be a new pedestrian walkway under the railway line, replacing the current rail bridge crossing. This will make it much easier for people to walk along the High Street between north and south.

There will also be major improvements on either side of the crossing, including town centre areas and the railway station.

Planned improvements include:

• New public squares to the north and south of the underpass, which will connect with the station to make the town more welcoming for people who arrive by train;


• New shops, cafés and restaurants around the public squares, which will make the area more attractive for residents, commuters, visitors and students.


South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP) has awarded £10.8million of Local Growth funding for the underpass and public squares.

“The Towns Fund project proposals will reconnect the town centre with its riverside heritage, enhance the riverside experience and create lasting social and economic impact for Grays, its residents, businesses and visitors.

“This plan will position Grays to fulfil its potential and become the desirable town centre destination that it deserves to be.”

Chair of Grays Towns Board and Director of Development at NewRiver REIT, Justin Thomas.