Essex Thames Gateway (ETG) comprises the Essex part of the Thames Gateway Growth Area, a regional and national priority for urban regeneration under the Sustainable Communities Plan which extends into London and the South East (Kent Thames Gateway).

Essex Thames Gateway is the largest corridor of urban development in the East of England. It broadly encompasses the areas south of the A13 in Thurrock and the A127 in Basildon, together with the whole of the Boroughs of Castle Point and Southend-on-Sea and London Southend Airport in Rochford District.