Works set to transform Grays reached a significant milestone recently as the construction of a new Civic Centre extension started.

To capture the first of many transformational projects set to regenerate the town, a time-lapse camera has been installed.

The camera lets residents to watch real-time, minute-by-minute footage of the building work. 

This work kick-starts huge regeneration plans across the town. It will also mean the oldest part of the current Civic Offices can be used as land for building much-needed town centre homes on brownfield sites rather than using greenbelt land.

The extension will help the council reduce its carbon footprint, decrease building costs and providing a new multi-functional community space.

Mark Coxshall, Cabinet member for regeneration and strategic planning, said: "The Civic Centre extension leads the way for Thurrock's ambitious redevelopment plans to transform Grays stretching from the River Thames to the very heart of the town, creating a better place to live, work, play and learn. It will be fantastic to be able to watch and document the town’s transformation starting with the civic building."

In total, £200million in private and public investment has already been secured for the Grays town centre transformation. This includes an underpass at Grays Station, which has received £11million funding from the government through the Local Growth Fund.

Grays Town Board is also working on a bid to secure an additional £25million of funding as part of the governments £3.6billion Towns Fund.

Residents can view or comment on identified projects to date by going tograystownsfund.co.uk

For live footage see https://iris.time-lapse-systems.co.uk/viewer/thurrock-council-civic-centre-ju76/?embedded=true