RAINHAM JAIL JOB THREAT

Hornchurch and Rainham MP James Brokenshire has warned that possible plans for a prison at the Beam Reach Business Park in Rainham could threaten hundreds of new jobs for the local area.  Speaking on Friday night at a community meeting organised by the Adamsgate Action Group, the MP said that there was increasing interest in Beam Reach which could result in a welcome jobs boost for Rainham and this shouldn’t be put at risk by plans for a ‘Rainham Jail’.

The property industry magazine ‘Property Week’ has reported that the London Development Agency – the owners of the Beam Reach Business Park – were examining new development options for the land including for distribution use.  The report highlighted interest for distribution facilities which could create up to 500 new jobs.  In the last month the Ministry of Justice confirmed in a letter to James Brokenshire that Beam Reach was also on a shortlist of potential sites for a new prison in East London.

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

“At a time of economic downturn, we need to look at proposals which might create a significant number of new jobs for the local community.  My strong preference remains for skilled manufacturing employment at Beam Reach, but we have to look very seriously at development options which benefit the local economy. 

“What’s increasingly clear to me is that any plan for a prison at Beam Reach could put a big question mark over the effective development of the park to maximise the potential job opportunities.  A prison would discourage other potential businesses from coming forward. 

“I’ve written to the Ministry of Justice seeking confirmation of the factors they are using to assess the sites on their short-list.  I will be making clear that threatening wider economic development and job creation should be a material consideration.”

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