Thames Estuary and National Highways Parliamentary Reception

During April, I hosted and addressed the Thames Estuary and National Highways Parliamentary Reception in Westminster, on the subject of the Lower Thames Crossing.

Speakers on the day included Ministers Davison, Lopez and Holden, who showed their support for the Thames Estuary and highlighted how the Lower Thames Crossing aligns with the Government's ambition to drive significant and sustainable economic growth.

With over 150 attendees on the day, it was evident just how much support there is behind this vital infrastructure project and that industry is calling for it to be built as soon as possible.

I was also delighted to sign the pledge supporting the vision for growth in the Thames Estuary and critical infrastructure projects which support this agenda, including the Lower Thames Crossing.

A film was taken at the event and it can be viewed by clicking on the photo above.

Speaking at the event

Signing the pledge

Number of police officers protecting our streets at record high

The Government has delivered on its 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 additional police officers by March 2023. This brings the total number to nearly 150,000 officers, more than 3,500 higher than the previous peak in 2010.

In Kent, we now have 416 more police officers than in 2010, with the total number at 4,261, the highest number ever.

Debate on motorway litter

During a debate in Westminster Hall recently, on the subject of motorway litter, I called for more action to tackle the problem on Dartford's major roads, including the M25 and A2.  

I am, frankly, sick to death of driving down the A2 and seeing a sea of litter along the side, particularly at junctions. The Darenth interchange is in an appalling state.  

If you would like to see my contribution to the debate, please click on the photo above to play the video.

King's Coronation Portrait Competition 

At the end of April, I hosted the King's Coronation Portrait Competition opening ceremony at Bluewater.
 
The event marked the start of a two-week display of pictures of His Majesty King Charles III created by primary school children from around Dartford. 
 
Earlier in the year, I asked pupils from all primary schools in Dartford to create a picture of the King to mark his Coronation. Lots of schools entered and each one chose two winning entries to be displayed in May to coincide with the Coronation celebrations. 
 
During the ceremony, Dartford Mayor, Councillor Paul Cutler, presented certificates and goody bags to all the winners who were able to attend the event. 
 
It was great to see such a beautiful display created by the team at Bluewater and I was pleased so many of the winners were present.
 
The creative pictures of His Majesty are fantastic, and I would encourage everyone to visit Bluewater to see this display, which is located in the Lower Rose Gallery.  

More photos can be found below. 

Viewing the winning portraits with the Mayor of Dartford, Cllr Paul Cutler and Centre Director of Bluewater, James Waugh

Port of London visit

At the end of April, I visited the Port of London and took a boat trip along the Thames. 

To start with, we headed east to the site of where the Lower Thames Crossing is to be built, before turning and heading towards Dartford's Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. 

I was shown the Berth 4 development and the Tilbury Freeport development area as well as Tilbury 2. 
 
When you travel on the water, you really get to see how much the Thames is developed and all the businesses working on its shores. There are many warehouses and factories along the banks as well as aggregate and project cargo terminals. It was really interesting see all the riverside activity in Dartford as well as seeing the QEII Bridge from the river.
 
Much of the Port of London's work, including regularly scanning the riverbed and structures in and alongside the river, is vital. This 'unseen' work, which most people don't even know goes on, ensures the ships and boats using the river and the businesses based alongside the Thames, can go about their daily business.
 
Staff at the Port of London work tirelessly to ensure the Thames is used to its full potential and it was fascinating to get on the water and see this first-hand.

Elis

Also in April, I had the pleasure of visiting Elis UK Dartford and meeting the Regional Director, Jess Naidoo and Elis Dartford Plant General Manager, Brian Mullany (photo above).  Elis is a business which provides 'textile rental, laundry and maintenance services' and employs around 180 local people.

This business relocated to the purpose-built unit in Central Road in Dartford in October 2019 and specialises in cleaning laundry for the healthcare sector, including Darent Valley Hospital. The business also has units across the country which support the surgical, hospitality and industrial commercial service sectors.

Every week, this Dartford plant washes, dries, irons, folds and delivers around 870,000 items of linen to healthcare providers in the southeast.

Walking around this huge unit, it is remarkable to see the cleaning process in action in this state-of-the-art facility. The washing machines are the largest I have seen and it was fascinating to observe how the process works from start to finish. The typical turnaround for each unit is around 12 hours, with the site using just seven delivery vehicles to collect the items for cleaning and deliver them back to the healthcare providers for use.

During the pandemic, having only just opened in Dartford, staff at Elis worked tirelessly to provide clean linen for our hospitals, as well as ensuring there was enough clean linen for the Nightingale Hospitals if they were needed.

As one of the biggest industrial laundry companies in the world, Elis is an asset to Dartford and as the need for fresh laundry grows, it is great to hear that future investment in the company will mean a further 50 jobs at the Dartford site in the coming months.

It is always really good to visit the many varied businesses here in Dartford who are working hard to ensure the key services in this country run smoothly.

School visits

I visited two schools in the constituency in April, to meet the staff and pupils. The above photo is at Oakfield Primary Academy, where I met Headteacher, Mrs Kaur-Gill.
 
It is always good to talk to staff about the issues they are facing on a day-to-day basis and to look around schools and meet students.  It is also great to see students enthusiastically talking about what they are learning. 
 
At Joydens Wood Junior School (photo below), I got to visit every class and I was delighted to see the variety of topics being taught from Roald Dahl and Michael Morpurgo, to researching water towers and bunting for the King's Coronation. 
 
During this visit I also had the chance to answer questions about my job as the MP and I am always pleased to see so many young people have a real interest in the way our country is run.
 
All of our schools in Dartford have dedicated staff working tirelessly to ensure our children get the best possible education.
 
If you would like me to visit your school, please contact my office.
 

Meeting Interim Deputy Headteacher Mrs Hensher, Interim Headteacher Mr Redford and Nexus Education Schools Trust CEO, Paula Farrow OBE, at Joydens Wood Junior School.

Len Goodman

I met Len Goodman several times and had lengthy conversations with him during lockdown when he was understandably concerned when dance halls could reopen.  I always found him a thorough gentleman; the same off camera as on.

Like thousands of Dartfordians, I went to 'Goodmans' opposite the park, for nights out during the 1980s and he was such an integral part of our town.

It is sad that here in dartford, we have lost one of our most popular Dartfordians.

St George's Day parade

On a very wet St George's Day, I was pleased to join Dartford District Scouts and Dartford Division Girlguiding on their annual parade to celebrate England's patron saint.

It was great to see so many of our local young people attending.

Dartford District Scouts and Dartford Division Girlguiding, St George's Day parade

London Resort article

I was recently interviewed about the London Resort Theme Park proposal on the Swanscombe Peninsula, for an article in The Sun newspaper.  This followed the recent announcement that London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) is to enter a financial restructure through a Company Voluntary Administration.

Plans for the theme park were first unveiled in 2012 and in 2021 Natural England designated Swanscombe Marshes as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

To view the article, please click on the link below.