Features

We've had a look through some of the most extravagant and perhaps far-fetched plans for the Thames Gateway and examined their feasibility in an area that designers believe will change the face of redeveloping forever.

Chatham’s Cable Car

A £15 million cable car is planned for the Medway towns, linking Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham and Strood, creating a ‘Medway metropolitis’. Connecting the new cultural centre with the park and ride and retail facilities, it is intended to not only attract tourists but also to be a good and reliable form of transport for students and commuters. 

A New Thames Gateway Bridge

So much emphasis is put on the importance of transport and improved communications but is another bridge costing £435 million really needed? We investigate the plans for a new bridge crossing the Thames between Beckton and Thamesmead and see if it really will reduce traffic.

Man-made Islands

Sir Terry Farrell suggests solving the problem of flooding by developing a series of islands at the mouth of the Thames Estuary. He sees them as essential to the formation of his 'new kind of national park' in the Gateway, which he believes could become the world's first sustainable eco-region. However, will they work? 

Underground Energy

Following in the footsteps of Sweden and Holland, technical engineer Bill Holdsworth sees the Thames Gateway as the perfect place to create new forms of renewable energy sources. We investigate the prospect of 'Underground Thermal Energy Storage' where users get their energy from underground.