A row has broken out over Bexley Council’s attendance at a “key” London-wide transport committee.

Labour councillors have blasted the Tory-run administration for failing to attend a single Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) meeting last year.

The Tories have since hit back, highlighting their successful efforts in securing funding for transport infrastructure in the borough.

It comes following a failed Labour attempt at a council meeting on May 29 to get a red councillor to sit on the TEC of London Councils.

The TEC makes joint decisions for the capital on transport matters as well as making suggestions to Sadiq Khan and Westminster.

Bexley’s Conservative representatives were absent from each of the four meetings held last year.

Opposition councillors say the authority has sacrificed its voice on important policies over electric car charging points, air quality, the freedom pass and dockless e-bikes.

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Councillor Stef Borella, shadow spokesman for transport said: “Over the last year, we have consistently seen Conservative councillors criticise the mayor of London and it has now transpired they have failed to attend the committee which agrees a London wide response to these policy areas for over a year.

“Our request for a Labour representative to take this place was rejected at annual council which shows Bexley Conservatives would prefer the borough not be represented at London-wide discussions, due to their continual non-attendance at this key meeting.”

Responding to the criticism, Peter Craske, the council’s cabinet member for places, said the administration had secured millions in investment through lobbying.

He said: “Bexley’s voice is heard loudly and clearly across London, across government, and beyond, through all our lobbying and campaigning on behalf of our residents.

“That’s how we’ve secured millions of pounds of investment for transport and traffic projects – including £1.6m recently secured for Erith, are launching a new bicycle hire scheme in the coming days, have secured support and funding for our campaign to extend Crossrail to Ebbsfleet, and are moving ahead with the introduction of new charging points for electric vehicles – a policy Labour councillors now oppose.

“It was how we secured a reduction of half in what Bexley contributes to the costs of the Freedom Pass, which is saving our residents millions of pounds a year.”

“While Labour like to run down our brilliant Bexley, our Conservative administration just gets on with running a successful council, working hard to make our borough even better.”

Labour councillors recently attempted to review a policy to introduce charging points over concerns that parking bays would be lost at busy Nuxley Road and Picardy Street.

Cllr Borella added: “While we support the introduction of electric vehicle  charging parking bays in Bexley to promote more environmentally friendly vehicles being used, they must be in the right location and take account of the needs of residents and businesses.”