People and Places
There are many properties spread across the flood plain in numerous sparse settlements, villages and in the principal towns of Burnham-on-Crouch and South Woodham Ferrers on the River Crouch, and Rochford on the River Roach. The Ministry of Defence also owns a significant portion of the land and assets within the boundaries of the Shoeburyness Estate.

Land in the hinterland of the Roach and Crouch estuaries is predominantly arable farmland. Commerce and industry is focused on tourism but many of the settlements have also developed market towns and shopping centres.

The Roach and Crouch estuaries are a valuable resource for recreation in the area. Burnham and Crouch harbour has a national reputation as a leading sailing and power boating centre. Water-skiing, personal boating, angling, wildfowling, canoeing, walking and bird watching are just some of the recreational activities pursued in the Roach and Crouch estuary systems.