Extending the Crossrail to Ebbsfleet may have moved one step closer.

Secretary of State for international trade and president of the board of trade, MP Liam Fox met with Bexley councillors to discuss the need for the extension on January 18.

Council leader Teresa O’Neill said the Crossrail represented a big move for the area.

“Given the scale of investment in Crossrail to date, C2E represents a fairly modest investment that can release valuable housing land and connect growth areas along the Thames with fast, reliable metro-style services,” she said.

“It is inconceivable that Bexley and West Kent will not be served by Crossrail services in the way that Essex and Berkshire will be – particularly given the region’s critical role as the country’s gateway to Europe.”

The Crossrail wasn't all that was discussed however.

Councillors also brought up the subject of the proposal for a 'place and making institute' in south Thamesmead which is hoped would help tackle the south-east’s growing skills challenge.

Dr Fox said it was an informative meeting.

“I was very interested to hear about the work the council and its partners are doing to create new opportunities and improve the transport infrastructure in Bexley and north-west Kent," he said.

"The area’s unique position as our gateway to Europe makes it attractive to both national and international investors and means it is ideally placed to contribute to the country’s future economic growth.”

The council will be submitting its latest proposal for the C2E campaign to the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission in early March. It will then be developing an outline business case setting out how the project could be delivered with local government, central government and private sector contributions, for submission to Government departments later in the year.