I am delighted that we have started the new year with many excellent campaign wins.
Firstly, from this Sunday (2nd February), contactless payments will finally be rolled out at Sevenoaks, Bat & Ball, Otford, Shoreham, Eynsford, and Dunton Green stations. This is a huge win for local commuters, and after years of campaigning, it’s fantastic to see this come to fruition. The new system will make travelling easier, given the convenience of switching between trains, buses, and the Tube—all with a tap of your card. It’s been a long journey to get here, and I’m thrilled that we’re finally going to see the results. However, I will not rest, as we really need TfL to resolve their technology so that those with railcards can link those to a nominated contactless card, to ensure everyone can benefit. I will keep pushing for this.
We’ve also had great news about the #477 bus service. The six-month trial extension of the route to Bluewater and Darent Valley Hospital has now been extended until the end of May, with additional buses added for the February half-term and Easter—fantastic for families looking to get out and about. The route was incredibly popular in the run-up to Christmas, which is really encouraging, but to secure the service permanently we need one final push. Residents in Crockenhill, Swanley, Hextable, and Wilmington—please do use the bus as much as possible between now and March, particularly for trips to Bluewater and the hospital. The final decision on making the extension permanent will be made in March, and every journey counts!
Finally, this week, the Chancellor announced that Government will work with the private sector to deliver the Lower Thames Crossing. This is welcome news, and I am so pleased that they have listened to the thousands of residents who signed my petition calling for the crossing to be built. However, it’s important to be clear: this is not a “green light” for the development. No approval has been granted, and there remain significant questions about how this critical project will proceed. I will follow up on these in the coming days. I and your local Conservative councillors remain committed to working with anyone who will help deliver the crossing that our community so desperately needs, so that local roads are not snarled up full of traffic. I will continue to scrutinise the Government’s approach and push for action so that the Lower Thames Crossing is delivered in a fair, timely, and effective way.
As always, if there’s anything I can do to support you or any issues you’d like to raise, don’t hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].
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Below is a snapshot of what we have been working on. If there is anything I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- As many of you will know, I have long been concerned about the use and presence of smartphones in schools. Last year, I spoke with local schools to understand their approach and conducted an online survey for parents - a huge thank you to all who participated. The results were striking: 65% of local parents believe their child spends too much time on social media, and 74% believe smartphones exacerbate bullying at school. The previous Conservative government issued guidance backing headteachers in restricting access to phones in schools. However, research shows that only 11% of schools are genuinely smartphone-free, and children at smartphone-free schools perform 1-2 grades higher at GCSE. That’s why, as Shadow Education Secretary, I have tabled an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill in Parliament to ban smartphones in schools for the under-16s. This is the right move for parents, teachers, and children, and I hope the Government will support it.
- It was great to recently visit Halstead Community Primary School. It was a pleasure to be shown around by the Head, Mrs Saheed, and meet the excellent teachers and children. The progress made by the school since becoming part of the Pioneer Academy is hugely encouraging, and the latest results show that 100% of the pupils achieved 'expected, or higher', in reading, writing, and maths. Thank you to Mrs Saheed for hosting me and to the wonderful team for all they do.
- I have also this month visited Orchards Academy, where I met the Head Mr Lazenby, and saw for myself the progress they are making with the school rebuild, following our successful campaign. They are certainly moving fast, and I am pleased to say they are on target for the new building to open for pupils from September 2025. I cannot wait to visit again once the works are complete and see how the pupils and teachers are benefiting.
- Following ongoing concerns in Brasted, Chevening, and Sundridge regarding roadworks on the A25, I recently organised a meeting with utility companies (Openreach, SGN, UK Power Networks, Thames Water), Kent County Council, and local parish councils. We discussed residents' frustrations and how to speed up works, improve coordination between utility companies, reduce unplanned emergency works where possible, and enhance communication with residents. I will be closely following up on these actions to ensure they are implemented. We must reduce the impact of roadworks across Sevenoaks and provide better information to residents.
- I have received many complaints lately about the reliability of Sevenoaks train services during the rush hour (with many Charing Cross bound trains terminating at London Bridge – which has happened to me twice this week!), as well as ongoing concerns about delays and overcrowding on the fast-line services through Otford and Swanley. I am therefore raising these issues with Southeastern urgently and will report back. If you have any further feedback to relay, please do get in touch at [email protected]. When it works well, Sevenoaks and Swanley have a brilliant train service, but it needs to be reliable and at the moment it isn’t acceptable.
- It was fantastic to visit The Nest, a family owned small business run by Hannah Sander and her mother Amanda Slade. Beautifully designed, the Nest not only provides health and beauty services but also coaching for adults and young people, as well as a free shared working space.. Whether you attend for yoga, pilates, an infrared sauna – or for beauty treatments and a coffee and cake, it is a wonderfully relaxing and welcoming environment.. Such local businesses are the life-blood of any community and supporting them is vital – so please do drop by if you are in the area.
- Following the removal of the temporary speed restriction on the A20 Eastbound near Sidcup at the end of last year, I have once again written—alongside Gareth Bacon MP for Orpington and Louie French MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup—to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. We have reiterated our serious concerns about the impact this restriction had on residents, many of whom received multiple fines on their daily commute. These penalties are deeply unfair, and we have again urged the Mayor to reconsider his position on this issue.
- And finally, I was delighted to visit the site of Swanley Rugby Club’s future home following the fantastic news that planning consent has been granted for new pitches and improved club facilities at the disused golf driving range behind The Olympic Centre. This £275,000 investment by Swanley Town Council will transform the site, providing a main rugby pitch, a training pitch, and upgraded changing and toilet facilities—benefiting both the rugby and bowls clubs. It will also free up a pitch at Swanley Recreation Ground, creating more football opportunities for local teams. I’ve supported the club throughout this journey and know how much this will mean to the players and the wider community. A huge thank you to Cllr Michael Horwood for his tireless work in overcoming challenges along the way—this is a fantastic win for sport in Swanley.
