Fighting hard for better transport

Louie French and Councillors at Albany Park Station

Whether it’s fighting Southeastern trains, TfL buses, or Labour’s anti-motorist policies, local people know that I am on their side in trying to improve our transport.

On Southeastern, I have successfully stood up for local commuters against the timetable changes introduced over a year ago. I was the first MP to raise this in the House of Commons and I met with Southeastern and the Department for Transport more than any other MP to emphasise the urgent need to reconsider the timetable changes and to ensure my constituents’ voice was heard. Following extensive lobbying and the results of my Southeastern survey, Southeastern made significant changes to their timetables. This includes the reinstatement of Charing Cross services on the Bexleyheath line, more peak-time services, more Abbey Wood services on the Sidcup line (more from December) and the doubling of trains serving Albany Park Station. Whilst I welcome that Southeastern listened to our calls for extra services and capacity, I recognise that further changes are still required to ensure the timetable delivers for the needs of Bexley passengers which I will continue to fight for.

I will also continue to lobby for more step-free access stations which follows the £6million we secured for an Access for All transformation for Bexley Station which includes the new footbridge, lifts, and CCTV.  

I also recognise the importance of our local bus network, particularly to connect communities within Old Bexley, Sidcup and Welling. I will continue to press Sadiq Khan to listen to local concerns about the Superloop not stopping between Sidcup and Bexleyheath, and also issues with the performance of other services across the constituency.

I will continue to oppose Labour’s anti-driver agenda including their price per miles plans, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, blanket 20 mph zones, and Blackwall Tunnel toll. Whilst the Conservatives are backing drivers by pledging to block road pricing, reversing ULEZ expansion in London and ruling out top-down blanket Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones, the Labour Party manifesto sets out their plans to increase the Mayor’s powers including over Transport which risks strengthening Sadiq Khan’s hammering of motorists in Bexley which is supported by the local Labour Party.

I have also recently secured £8.5million to help Bexley Council improve our roads and I will continue to stand up for drivers in Bexley.

News

Frustration over first weeks of new Southeastern timetable

Louie French has expressed his frustration over the levels of service experienced during the first weeks of Southeastern’s new timetable changes, which has coincided with significant disruption from industrial action, infrastructure faults and the snow.  

Louie continues to lead the fight against Southeastern timetable changes

Louie has continued to lead the fight against Southeastern timetable changes, including in his latest meeting with rail bosses last week where he called again for urgent concessions and reversals to many of the changes being made, alongside an urgent review of the latest passenger numbers at Alba

Louie’s November meeting with Southeastern

Louie French MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup met with Southeastern's Managing Director and his team again with cross-party/other South East London MPs to discuss the Southeastern timetable changes further and to continue to make representations against the changes on the Sidcup and Bexleyheath lines

Louie’s October meeting with Southeastern

Louie French MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup and Sir David Evennett MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford met with Southeastern Managing Director and his team to express their anger at the Southeastern timetable changes.

Louie continues to fight for Bexley commuters

At Transport Questions, Louie French asked for a meeting with the Rail Minister to discuss his concerns over the Southeastern December timetable changes and the lack of consultation.

You can watch Louie's question to the Rail Minister above or read below:

Louie French MP:

Louie’s September meeting with Southeastern

Following Southeastern’s announcement of timetable changes from 11th December, Louie was the first MP to meet with Southeastern to raise his significant concern over the changes and the impact they will have on his constituents.

Southeastern Timetable Changes Survey

Louie French, local MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup, recognises that many residents will be concerned over the timetable changes on local Southeastern services from December and is seeking the views of constituents to ensure they can be represented.