Delay Repay 15

It has been announced that train passengers travelling on Southeastern, who are delayed for more than 15 minutes, will now be entitled to compensation.  

The improved compensation scheme, Delay Repay 15, means that passengers who are faced with a delay of 15 minutes or more, can claim a refund for part of their ticket instead of after a 30 minute or more delay, which used to apply.

I am really pleased to see this scheme has finally come into force in Dartford.  Passengers throughout the constituency want a cost-effective train service they can rely on, so they can use the trains confidently and without fear of delay. 

We know that since the introduction of Oyster in Dartford in September 2015, the number of passengers using rail services to and from the station has increased significantly and I hope this latest change will encourage more people to use the rail services available.
 

School bus services

Many parents have contacted me about a reduction in school bus services by the bus company, 1st Bus Stop.  This has particularly affected those attending North Kent College and schools in Wilmington.  It has resulted in children not being collected from school because the bus is too full to pick them up and therefore not even stopping.  This has left some children stranded with no other way to get home.

I have been in contact with Kent County Council who subsidise bus usage by school children.  I have also taken this issue up with 1st Bus Stop, who contacted my office in response and were dismissive of the problem.

This situation cannot continue.  1st Bus Stop has the contract to run these buses and if this issue continues then it may become necessary for Kent County Council to look seriously at whether that contract can continue.
 

Lower Thames Crossing - ground investigations

Highways England has launched a programme of ground investigations along the route of the Lower Thames Crossing.  Tests will be carried out at over 700 locations, including over 400 boreholes, ground water sampling and monitoring, shallow trial pits and a wide range of unobtrusive geophysical surveys.  The information will give engineers a clear picture of the type of soils, rock and groundwater along the proposed 14.5 mile route and will aid in the design of bridges, viaducts, embankments and cuttings.  The studies are also vital for planning the construction of the tunnel under the Thames, which will be the world's third-largest bored road tunnel.

The video below explains what will be happening.

George Low

It has now been more than three years since Dartford resident, George Low, was murdered on the last day of his holiday in Cyprus. 

George, 22, was with his friend Ben Barker in Ayia Napa when the pair were stabbed in an unprovoked attack.  George was killed and Ben, who was seriously injured, survived the attack. 

In July I attended the inquest into George's death, which was held in Maidstone, where the Coroner read out evidence of events on the night and recorded that George had been killed unlawfully.

Since the events in August 2016, no one has faced justice for these crimes and although some progress has been made, the two suspects are thought to be living freely in Turkey.

More recently, I met with the Turkish Ambassador and the Turkish authorities who are working with Kent Police to try to find these two men.  

News from Westminster

Prorogation

The Prime Minister's decision to prorogue parliament has been declared unlawful by The Supreme Court.  This means Parliament has returned and will continue with its business. 

This controversial decision from The Supreme Court will have significant implications but should not, in itself, directly impact on us leaving the EU.

Brexit

Parliament has passed legislation aimed at stopping a No Deal Brexit and two attempts by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, to call a general election, were thwarted by the opposition parties.

Like two-thirds of people in Dartford, I voted to leave the European Union in the June 2016 referendum.  I want to see the UK leave the EU on 31st October, preferably with a deal.  However, if the EU refuses to change the deal currently on the table, then I believe leaving without a deal will be less damaging than continuing to delay Brexit.

I believe it is the responsibility of every Parliamentarian to implement the outcome of the referendum.  I resigned from Theresa May's Government because I couldn't vote in any other way than to implement Brexit.  I will continue to do all I can to deliver on the instruction we were given by the British people three years ago.

Brexit continues to dominate British politics but I hope we can soon move forward, away from this very divisive issue and get on with the job of running the country.

Dangerous Driving Debate

I took part in the above debate which arose from an e-petition calling for life sentences for causing death by dangerous driving.  

The petition was started by Mr and Mrs Youens whose daughter Violet-Grace, aged 4, was with her grandmother when a car doing 83 mph in a 30 mph zone mounted the pavement.  Violet died of her injuries.  The driver and his passenger did not even attempt to help but fled the scene.  The driver was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months.  Mr and Mrs Youens said the driver and his passenger will be out after serving less time than their daughter lived.

In October 2017, the Government announced it would increase the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life.  The Minister assured the debate it is the Government's settled intention to do this and is an issue of when.

During the debate I said I could not understand why, in the worse cases of death by dangerous driving, the Crown Prosecution Service does not bring a charge of manslaughter, thereby giving the Court the option of a life sentence for the worst types of offending.

Please click on the photo below if you would like to view the debate.