The Thames is a major resource but also a threat. Much of Thurrock lies in the floodplain and memories of the 1953 floods are still strong. 300 people died in East Anglia, vast numbers were left homeless and the oil refineries and storage depots flooded, are still strong.

The Environment Agency’s strategy has recently moved away from the flood defence – the building of barriers, sea walls and other physical defences – to flood management. This involves the identification of sacrificial open land that can be used to store and absorb floodwater, strategic reflooding of reclaimed land, good warning systems and a general premise against new building in flood-risk areas. The reason for this is that the likelihood of flooding is constantly increasing and flood defences will offer little protection in the future as water levels rise.

The river is a major source of economic strength to Thurrock through the Port, wharves and oil refineries along its edge. The residential areas have traditionally steered away from the marshy riverside areas and the floodplain is almost entirely occupied by industry.

The Thames is one of the cleanest urban rivers in the world. It is home to 118 species of fish and many important natural habitats are found on the intertidal foreshore including its mudflats, reedbeds, marshland and even the flood defences. To raise the profile of the Thames Estuary and to promote a shared approach to its management, a European initiative known as the Southern North Sea Regional Park is currently being proposed to cover parts of Holland, Belgium, northern France and Britain.

Despite the flood risk, freshwater shortages are a major problem. Essex is one of the driest parts of the UK and imports much of its water supply. Effective water conservation measures are much needed for the future.