It was great news that the Thames Gateway Bridge inquiry held another evening session in Bexley, allowing local people to listen to all the arguments surrounding the bridge.

For those of us who oppose the bridge, it gave us the chance to express our opposition directly to the person leading the inquiry.

Many people attended and many opponents of the bridge were able to put their case.

It fell to Bexley Conservatives to argue the case against the bridge, and we were happy to do so.

Our local MP, David Evennett, spoke first and several other Conservative councillors and candidates also had the opportunity to express our opposition to the bridge.

We have great fears over the impact the bridge will have on the health of local people. Six Labour councillors, including the deputy leader Donna Briant, also claim to agree with us, and are opposed to the bridge.

Yet, none of them were there on the night to speak up for their local constituents.

The Lib Dems were just as bad - they were represented by an MP from Richmond - and she was over an hour late getting to the meeting.

It lays out for everyone to see that when it is crunch time, it is the Conservatives in Bexley who were there to speak out on behalf of local people. Labour and the Lib Dems were nowhere to be seen, missing in action perhaps?

Cllr Donna Briant had the opportunity to tell the inspector what she always tells council meetings - that she is opposed to the bridge but she failed to turn up let alone give evidence.

Bexley Conservatives are opposed to this bridge and if elected to run the council in May, we will make Bexley Council's policy reflect the views of local people, not the Labour Party.

Cllr Ian Clement, leader, Bexley Council Conservative Group