I have written many times before in my newsletter about the need for better rail links in our area, and I have been campaigning hard for a fast line (Maidstone East/ London Bridge), calling at Otford and Swanley, since first being elected. People moved to Otford and Swanley upon the promise of this line from Government, and I have been determined that they would eventually obtain the service they deserved.
After our long fought campaign, I was thrilled to receive the news of an hourly service Monday to Saturday (with an additional train during the morning rush hour) from Maidstone East to Charing Cross from December. The service means that those travelling from Otford and Swanley can now access London Bridge, London Waterloo East and London Charing Cross faster and without the need to change. In addition to this, the timetable change will also mean morning commuters from Sevenoaks will benefit from additional rush hour services into London. A massive result, and one that will have a huge impact on local commuters. I am delighted.
My transport survey of Otford residents last year was clear that there was huge local support for this fast line amongst residents, and I am so pleased that Southeastern have now listened to our calls for action. The new timetable comes into effect from 11th December and is the result of our campaign. I would therefore like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to Sevenoaks District Council Leader Cllr Peter Fleming, Kent County Councillor for Otford (and KCC leader) Cllr Roger Gough and Sevenoaks Railway Travellers Association, who have all worked so hard with me to ensure local commuters are heard.
Nationally, there has been much unfolding in Westminster over the past few weeks. However, we now have a new Prime Minister whose top priority is addressing the economic and political challenges facing families across Sevenoaks and Swanley, including the rising cost of living, and strengthening the NHS. In the recent reshuffle I was honoured to have been appointed by HM The King as Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions. This is a vital department, whose work ensures the most vulnerable in our society are supported, and I look forward to working with the team to tackle the challenges which lie ahead. However, serving my constituents across Sevenoaks and Swanley will always be my priority and I will of course continue to work on your behalf to ensure your voices in Westminster are heard. If you need help or would like to discuss any issues you are currently facing, please email me at [email protected].
The success of the fast line campaign is proof that by working together we can – and will - achieve a real and meaningful change for residents.
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Below is a snapshot of what I have been working on. If there is anything, I can do to support you, please get in touch.
- As many of you will recall, in the summer I raised with the Chief Executive of the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, my concerns that the breast screening service in Swanley had been removed, with local women being asked to travel to Bluewater. It was unacceptable for such a lifesaving service to be moved in this way and I was determined that a suitable venue in Swanley must be found. Myself, the County, Town and District Councils, alongside local councillors worked with the Trust to find a location and I am delighted to confirm that the mobile breast screening facility is planned to return from 23rd November. The unit will be based in the Town Council’s car park outside the Alexandra Suite and the Civic Centre. My sincere thanks to the Town Council for making the space available.
- We are lucky to have many excellent local businesses in Sevenoaks, and earlier this month I had the pleasure of opening the Sevenoaks Business Show at the Bat & Ball Community Centre. This wonderful event, hosted by the Sevenoaks Town Team, provided an opportunity for local businesses and charities to showcase their work and it was great to meet so many of the exhibitors including, the Federation of Small Businesses; Specsavers, Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees, The Samaritans, and In Line International, a multi-faceted company which moved to Sevenoaks from London in 2020. My thanks go to the Sevenoaks Town Team for organising this fantastic, annual event, and if there are any businesses who would like to talk to me, please do get in touch at [email protected]
- Access to cash and wider banking services in Swanley is vital for business and the local community, and further to the fantastic news that Swanley has been select as one of 12 national “cash pilot” schemes, as well as my meeting on the pilot last month, the Cash Action Group (CAG) has now launched a survey so that the local community can have their say on the banking needs of Swanley. I would urge those who live in and around Swanley to complete this survey. The greater the participation, and the greater the obvious need for services, the better chance we have of improving the banking situation for local people. The closing date is 6th November. After this, CAG will assess the responses and I anticipate a further meeting will be held later in November to discuss the next steps.
- It was fantastic to welcome to Parliament the Sevenoaks Youth Council and I really enjoyed our Q&A. Since its conception in 2009 the Youth Council has become increasingly involved in setting up events for young people locally, as well as discussing important local issues. If you know someone who would like to get involved please visit: https://www.sevenoaksyouthcouncil.com/
- Prior to my appointment to the Department of Work and Pensions, I asked the former Chancellor of the Exchequer to look again at the level of support being made available to heating oil users to make sure they are getting the financial help they need. The package of measures which had been announced was welcome, but I know many of you, who aren’t connected to the main gas grid, are particularly concerned about the price of heating oil, which has more than doubled in the past year. I am pleased to hear this is being kept under review and I will continue to follow this very closely. I will keep you all updated.
- A support network is vital for young families, and alongside Swanley Mayor Lesley Dyball, I had the pleasure of meeting the amazing Debbie Bowler and Swanley project worker Kerry Ashdowne from the charity Home-Start UK, a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with bringing up young children, please consider contacting (or recommending) Home Start. To be considered for help, the family concerned must have at least one child 0-5 years, and support can cover a variety of circumstances such as: loneliness, isolation, children with special needs, depression, postnatal depression, self-esteem issues and domestic abuse.
- I was pleased to visit Sevenoaks Hospital, which is operated by the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT). I was kindly shown around by the wonderful Ian Philip, Chairman of the League of Friends of Sevenoaks Hospital; Grahame Hardy, the Dementia Lead for KCHFT; and other senior members of staff. Whilst we have excellent major hospitals just outside of our district, Sevenoaks Hospital plays a vital role in providing blood tests and pregnancy and maternal services. The hospital also has an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) and I heard first hand from Gemma Burgess the UTC Lead of the challenges they face with staffing. I will do all I can to support them with this.
- Not long after I first became MP, I visited Orchards Academy in Swanley and (as it was known then) West Kingsdown C of E Primary School. In both instances, I was shocked at the conditions of the schools and was determined that they receive the investment the pupils and teaching staff deserved. After raising both cases in Parliament, I am so pleased that we were successful in ensuring funding for both schools and it was great to visit West Kingsdown Primary (now known as St. Edmund’s Church of England Primary School) to see the improvements first hand. Accompanied by local councillor Lynda Harrison, I met the inspirational Headteacher Ben Hulme and was so pleased with the transformation. Large airy extended classrooms, the complete overhaul of the toilet facilities, replacement of leaky windows, redecoration, and new heaters. With a near £1m investment, and with still more to come, the children of West Kingsdown have a school that the community can be proud of.
- And finally, it was great to see so many members of Swanley Rugby Club supporting the Macmillan Coffee Morning. The rugby club carry out amazing work locally in supporting the community, and I am so very grateful for all that they do. If you, or someone you know if living with Cancer at the moment, and would welcome some advice, support or a listening ear, please do get in touch with the fantastic Macmillan Cancer Support team, who can be reached 7 days a week, 8am-8pm, on 0808 808 00 00.
