A detailed vision to make London’s Thames estuary a hub for transport and trade is to be released next month by architects Foster + Partners and infrastructure consultants Halcrow. The two companies have collaborated on this proposal, which would bring together rail freight connections between the UK’s main sea ports, create a 150 million passenger airport to replace Heathrow, build a tidal energy barrage and put a new flood protection barrier in place.

The Thames Hub is a long-term vision, which would span the next 50 years, reaching completion around 2060. Halcrow group board director, David Kerr said:

The Thames Hub would provide a major economic boost for Kent and Essex, with the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs over a number of years and provide noise and air pollution relief for London’s population. The proposals would make a significant contribution to the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions. If the UK is to remain globally competitive, these proposals need to be seriously considered.

Foster + Partners

Halcrow