Rt Hon David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, and Cllr Gareth Bacon AM, met with Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport on Tuesday afternoon (24 October) to discuss the new rail franchise for South East London and Kent.

A full and frank discussion took place with the Secretary of State and his officials around the terms of the new franchise offer, which is about to be put out to tender.

After the meeting, Mr Evennett commented: “the Secretary of State understood the needs of our area and the rail travelling public, and is determined that South East London and Kent will have a better service under the new franchise. He confirmed that trains from our stations in Bexley will continue to go to Charing Cross, despite rumours to the contrary, and that there will also be longer trains and a more frequent service into London throughout the day”.