News from your Member of Parliament
Jackie Doyle-Price MP
Fighting for Thurrock
Dear Resident,
I thought I should update you on a couple of issues that i have been campaigning on since the House of Commons returned after Christmas.
Dartford crossing
The bad weather over the Christmas period saw hellish traffic conditions during the periods when the QE2 bridge was closed due to high winds. On one occasion it took me 105 minutes to travel from Lakeside to my house in Purfleet, a distance of less than 2 miles. I shudder to think how much fuel was burned by the stationary traffic during these incidents. It illustrated perfectly just how much disruption is caused to our local road network when there is disruption at the Dartford crossing. As the disruption took place during the holiday season the impact on the strategic road network was less than it might have been.
The lack of resilience in the road network is something which needs to be addressed. I have therefore raised this with Ministers and asked the Prime Minister to ensure that dependence on the Dartford crossing is considered by COBRA. I have also made the point that we consider it unacceptable that the tolls continue to be collected at times of significant disruption.
Proposed new Lower Thames crossing
I managed to secure a Parliamentary debate on the proposals for a new Lower Thames crossing and to once again record our objection to the proposals under consideration and to invite the Government to look again at Options D and E, the proposed crossings at Canvey and Southend. I also invited the Government to consider the potential for car ferries at Tilbury. The Woolwich ferry takes some one million vehicles a year and ferries could offer some additional capacity at a lower cost than a new bridge or tunnel in Thurrock.
The traffic disruption over Christmas gave me some good evidence to use to argue against option A, a new crossing at Dartford to West Thurrock. The gridlock at the west part of the borough is becoming more and more common. In Purfleet we end up entirely cut off. I also pointed to Vopak and Cobelfret, important parts of the economic infrastructure which could have to close if this option is pursued.
I also explained that option C would simply put more traffic onto the M25 and the A13 and would cause more capacity issues. I made the case that making use of the A130 would improve connectivity with the M11, Stansted Airport and the larger Eastern region. You can see the debate here on my youtube channel at jackiethurrock, however I would be grateful if you could take a moment to compete my survey at www.telljackie.com as I would like to be able identify just how many people are opposed to these options, so that I can continue to persuade the Government to think again, Please forward this link (www.telljackie.com) to anyone else you think may be interested.
Welfare of horses on the Mardyke valley
I received a number of representations over Christmas regarding the welfare of the horses on the Mardyke Valley, given that the water levels were like to raise. I gave my support to local Cllr Lynn Carr and horse welfare organisations to get the animals sifted.
Having discussed this issue with the RSPCA, it appears that up and down the country there are 7000 horses at risk, with Thurrock being a particular hotspot. Many of these creatures will be sold for meat and it is likely that they will continue to end up in our burgers and lasagne.
To protect the integrity of the food chain, Equine passports were introduced. Each horse shoud have a valid passport with the Horses history,so that contaminated meat does not enter the food chain. The problem is that very few local authorities are enforcing them. Failure to show a valid passport will bring a £5000 fine. I believe that if they wee enforced more readily this would encourage more responsible horse ownership and reduce the mount of horsemeat entering the foodchain and I intend to lobby the Government to take steps to ensure that local authorities use their powers in this area. Again, I would welcome your views so if you could fill my survey at www.telljackie.com would be grateful, again do forward (www.telljackie.com) to anyone you feel may be interested.
Remember, do get in touch if I can be of assistance and you can get regular updates on what I have been up to by following me on Twitter at @jackiedp and by ‘liking’ my Facebook Page which I will be updated regularly with my activities and campaigns. My website is also a good port of call for up to date information on both my parliamentary and constituency based work.
Best Wishes,
Jackie Doyle-Price MP
Member of Parliament for Thurrock
www.facebook.com/jackiedp
https://twitter.com/JackieDP
www.youtube.com/jackiethurrock
Write: Jackie Doyle-Price MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
Tele: 01375 802029 or 0207 219 7171
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