Medway Labour & Co-op Councillors welcome further support from Medway Conservative councillors in the campaign to save Chatham Docks.
Cllr Simon Curry, Medway Labour & Co-op Communities, Regeneration and Environment Spokesperson said “Medway Labour have been putting the argument for around two years to defend the jobs at Chatham Docks – it’s right for our struggling local economy, right for the environment and right for Medway. Transporting goods by ship uses a lot less carbon than the already overcrowded road networks, helping to reduce congestion and air pollution for Medway residents. We must see this within the draft Local Plan.”
Cllr Naushabah Khan, Medway Labour & Co-op Housing Spokesperson commented that “It is good to welcome further support for defending Chatham Docks within the Local Plan. The existing local plan has been in place for nearly 20 years – to attempt to move forward with the minimum possible public consultation is simply unacceptable – Medway residents and businesses must have more than six weeks to comment on such a wide-ranging document.”
Cllr Teresa Murray, Medway Labour & Co-op Deputy Leader said “The Medway Labour & Co-op Group have brought a number of questions and motions to full council on this critical issue of saving 1400+ quality jobs in Medway by defending Chatham Docks. Alongside the Labour & Co-op Group this issue has the support of Labour Leader Keir Starmer, Kelly Tolhurst MP, Lib Dems, Greens and now backbench Conservatives. It seems the only people who are happy to see these jobs go are the shareholders of Peel and the Conservative Cabinet.”
Cllr Vince Maple, Medway Labour & Co-op Group Leader added “It is positive to hear that more councillors are joining the campaign to save Chatham Docks. If the recent press reporting is accurate this means the majority of Medway councillors now support the retention of Chatham Docks. It’s clear the Medway Conservatives are divided on this issue. I hope we see the Cabinet show leadership and urgently review Chatham Dock’s designation ahead of the draft local plan being debated on October 7th.”