Thurrock Council unanimously approved planning permission in March to transform Grays Riverside, as part of a £9million investment in the area.
The proposed development will connect Grays Town Wharf with Tilbury Docks and potentially encompass the town centre, increasing its appeal and transport links along the River Thames.
The first phase of works will focus on revitalising the riverfront, opening the area up as a safer, more enjoyable space for the community with improved flood defences, and a new walkway with amphitheatre, landscaping and leisure spaces.
Beckett Rankine has been appointed as the Client Engineer to oversee the design and construction, following its involvement in the project since 2022.
The firm provided structural assessments of the existing river wall and assets to determine their condition, carried out feasibility studies, and produced detailed concept designs for the waterfront aspects of the proposed development.
Working closely with the architects, Beckett Rankine informed designs that included raising the river wall height to 7.5m, which improves the flood defences to meet Thames Estuary 2100 recommendations while integrating seamlessly with the new stepped amphitheatre.
The consultancy also provided a flood management plan and specification of works for the project’s maritime aspects, along with preparing and managing various statutory consents and licensing procedures, contractor tendering and onboarding, and providing client advice throughout.
Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2027, carried out by McLaughlin and Harvey and supervised by Beckett Rankine.
Principal Engineer and project manager, Graham Gathergood, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the Grays Riverside scheme given the green light. A lot has gone into designing a welcoming community space that also prioritises flood protection in the face of climate change. Beckett Rankine is proud to have supported a number of waterside development projects including Barking Riverside, improving quality and connectivity along the River Thames. We’re looking forward to seeing a refreshed Grays Riverside that benefits its local community similarly.”
Header image: Thurrock Council
