Transport, health and Rufus

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Gareth Johnson
MP for Dartford

Reporting back from Dartford and Westminster - now reaching over 5,000 people in the local area.

September 2023

"Welcome to my latest bulletin. People were generally in favour of the new style of bulletin and for now we are going to keep the new format. I hope you enjoy reading what I have been doing recently in Dartford and Westminster."

New Dart Charge provider

As you know, National Highways changed over to a new Dart Charge provider in the summer and despite meeting with them beforehand to raise concerns, I was assured by them their IT systems could cope. This was clearly not the case.

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Lower Thames Crossing community video newsletter

To read the latest edition of the community video newsletter, please click below.

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Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets

After joining the Prime Minister at Dartford and Crayford Sea Cadets at the end of July, it was great to visit them again in August to meet a visitor from Hiroshima, Yuiha Mitsui.

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Funding increase for Darent Valley Hospital

I am delighted the Government has announced £6 million in funding for new wards at Darent Valley Hospital and Medway Maritime Hospital this winter. This refurbishment at DVH will create 15 additional beds across three new wards.

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Visit to Darent Valley Hospital

I was very pleased to meet with Jonathan Wade, Chief Executive Officer of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, along with senior members of his team and the Member of Parliament for Sevenoaks, Laura Trott, at Darent Valley Hospital.

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Expansion of ULEZ

The ULEZ scheme expanded across the whole of Greater London on 29th August and it was a moment I had hoped would not come. ULEZ is now impacting one in seven drivers and financially penalising hard-working families with a £12.50 daily charge and up to £4,500 a year per vehicle for Dartfordians just driving up the road.

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Amazon reaches 10th year anniversary of providing apprenticeships in the UK

This year marks Amazon’s 10th year providing apprenticeships in the UK and I was delighted to attend the celebration event held at their fulfilment centre in Dartford.

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Convicts should be forced to face their victims at sentencing hearings

Following the conviction and sentencing of child serial killer, Lucy Letby, I renewed my call for new legislation to enable judges to force convicts to face their victims at sentencing hearings.

I called for a change in the law to compel convicted criminals to attend sentencing hearings nine years ago when Colin Ash-Smith was sentenced for the brutal killing of 16-year-old Claire Tiltman in Greenhithe. He also refused to appear in the dock to hear the victim impact statements of the families and the Judge's sentencing. It is an act of complete cowardice and a final insult to the families of the victims.

To read the article that appeared in 2014, please click here: Kent online article

I raised this issue again in Justice Questions:

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Property Management fees

I recently visited Bexley Park, where management fees are a major issue for those who live there. I am currently running a survey on people's experiences of Management Companies. Please click below to access the link.

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Visit to CAS Community Solutions

I visited CAS Community solutions in Swanscombe to meet founder and director, Sue Hart and volunteer project facilitator Dee Butler.

This community hub offers a wide variety of groups and services to people throughout the community.

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Visit to Dartford's Gurdwara

I also had the pleasure of visiting Dartford's Gurdwara. This Sikh temple, which opened in Highfield Road in 1978, is a great asset to our community.

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Launch of the Ebbsfleet Business Forum

I was delighted to attend the launch of the Ebbsfleet Business Forum.

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Introducing Rufus

I am delighted to introduce my rescue dog Rufus who you may well see featuring on my leaflets and campaigns.

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