Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport today visited the Calor Gas Centre at Coryton today to hear about transport issues and to review the huge amount of investment being made by both Government and Private business in the Thames Gateway.
 |
| L-R Stephen Metcalfe, Patrick McLoughlin, Calor site manager – Alan Harrison and Calor Finance Director – Adam Thompson |
During the visit Patrick McLoughlin said: “I was very impressed by the vision that Calor has, both for Thurrock as a location to do business and the future of the gas market.”
“I know how important infrastructure investment is in attracting and retaining companies and the jobs which they create. I am grateful to Stephen Metcalfe for inviting me to Calor today and he certainly made the case for Essex to get more investment. This is something that I am committed to but we can only invest in Thurrock if we have a strong economy. The Conservative Party is determined to continue investing here but all this would be put at risk by Ed Miliband and Labour being propped up by Alex Salmond and the SNP.”
Stephen said: “There is no doubt Thurrock is a great place to do business and to invest in. We have some great projects underway such as the London Gateway Port which could potential support 12,000 jobs locally. We are also seeing work start on the new Thames Enterprise Park on the former Coryton site.”
“However, for these investments to truly flourish, we need the infrastructure to support them. I am therefore pleased this government has invested millions of pounds locally in widening the A13, improving junction 30/31 of the M25, introducing Free Flow Tolling.”
Thames Enterprise Park is a hub of industrial and energy-related businesses, occupying one of the largest industrial sites in the northern Thames Gateway and complementing the neighboring Thames Oilport and London Gateway.
Stephen added: “The park could potentially be home to some really game-changing businesses such as the proposed GreenSky London project which would see household waste converted in to jet fuel and electricity.”
Patrick added: “GreenSky London is an exciting project that could transform fuel use in aviation and bring jobs to South Basildon & East Thurrock. It is an excellent example of UK innovation in green technology and the partnership between Solena Fuels and British Airways shows the potential for a high-tech sector to regenerate a former industrial heartland.”
Stephen finished by commenting: “I am grateful to Patrick for his visit today and for the infrastructure investment that have been made. If I am fortunate enough to be re-elected, I will push for further investment in the area, particularly in addressing the issue of Level Crossings in Thurrock and investment in the A127.”
