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.
