On Friday, I was delighted to represent Medway’s MPs at the Kent and Medway Economic Partnership Infrastructure Summit, where I was joined by a number of Kent’s elected members, local authority leaders and businesses.
As an important regional economic community, we need to underline the strong partnership between us as MPs, local authorities and businesses, working together to make the Kent as strong as it can be. The purpose of this summit was to discuss how we can get a fairer share of investment in our roads and rail, along with the skills and training required to equip workforce of the future.
Improving these key areas of infrastructure, particularly in north Kent, has been a priority of mine since 2015. I have been pleased to work closely with our local authorities, Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission and businesses to improve Medway and north Kent’s economic prospect.
Yet, Kent as a whole is home to some of our nation’s most important pieces of infrastructure. We have major ports, key road and rail routes linking us with the continent, growing business and technology parks, energy production and excellent academic centres. While we can be proud of this, it is important we build momentum and increase investment or risk falling behind other parts of the country.
I am pleased to be part of a group which is looking out for our region’s economic interest and I remain dedicated towards helping improve Kent’s skills and infrastructure at all levels.