Visit to DP World

London Gateway: Container Port and Logistics Park

As Labour’s parliamentary candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock last week I was afforded the opportunity to visit and tour the facility prior to its opening later in the year.

The size and scale of the operation on the banks of the River Thames and within the constituency is huge and the responsibilities for all involved are many.

Over the coming months and years it is my intension to be working with all groups involved to make sure that the benefits of these investments in my prospective constituency are shared, and that the residents of South Basildon and East Thurrock are real beneficiaries. This is a huge undertaking as the operation at London Gateway has global reach and will need local, national and global input to address the issues.

Two of the main areas I discussed with staff were around transportation/infrastructure and employment.

There are a lot of roadworks being carried out at Sorrells, A13 and M25 roundabouts and DP World are laying their train track to link with the national rail network.

With the potential for a Lower Thames Crossing and an estuary airport in the mix alongside the increased traffic from DP World our constituency will be irreversibly affected so I look forward to an arranged meeting with shadow transport minister Maria Eagle in September where we can discuss the issues facing an incoming Labour government.

Of course public transportation too must play a huge part in alleviating the burden on our roads and I will champion the need for improved public transport services across the constituency.

I am also championing the employment of local people at DP World and although there are issues with the recruitment process, I was pleased to see the efforts being made in this area. Employment of women especially needs addressing so I hope to arrange for a further meeting at DP World with shadow ministers and union representatives.

I will be meeting soon with Unite to discuss union representation at the port and will be feeding back questions raised at the visit to members of the WELCOM forum in September who represent many constituents living in East Thurrock.

I would like to thank DP World London Gateway for the visit and their hospitality. I look forward to working closely with local residents’ groups and individuals, trade unions and the local business community to get the best for South Basildon and East Thurrock residents.