Great to meet with colleagues from the Netherlands Embassy - Defence Attaché Captain (N) Rick Ongering and Economic Attaché Mohamed El Yemlahi - to discuss shared military mobility challenges and the essential role of rail links in enabling rapid and efficient mobilisation to Eastern Europe. 

Just before Christmas, it was great to meet with Rail Minister Lord Hendy. 2025 had been a year of focused work to support the expansion of cross-Channel rail links, in which I have made the case for the role of Leyton’s Temple Mills depot in enabling growth.

Last week, I asked the Secretary of State for Transport about the opportunities created by Virgin Trains joining Eurostar at the Temple Mills depot in Leyton. The expansion and competition at Temple Mills is good news for jobs and investment locally, and a real chance to expand cross-Channel rail and hopefully lower costs for customers.

After working so much on cross-channel rail and Leyton’s Temple Mills depot this year, it was high time I actually visited! Grace Williams, leader of London Borough of Waltham Forest, joined me on a very in-depth and compelling visit to the depot.

Last week, I convened a meeting in Parliament to push forward the cross-Channel rail agenda and highlight the central role that our local Temple Mills rail depot plays. We were joined by five train companies, alongside London St Pancras Highspeed, Eurotunnel, and government officials.

It was excellent to meet with the TSSA Union this week and hear about pressing issues being faced by transport workers.

I had a fantastic time on Friday joining the Waltham Forest council for a Regeneration Tour in Leytonstone, visiting key sites where infrast

I joined Waltham Forest Councillors, Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance, and Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood for the announcement