Euro support for 20mph campaign
A MEMBER of the European parliament has backed the cam- paign for blanket 20mph zones outside schools in Maidstone. The “20's Plenty” campaign –
orchestrated by Harrietsham parish Cllr Janetta Sams and husband, borough Cllr Tom Sams – has the backing of a 1,000-name petition. Kent High- way Services says a blanket 20mph limit outside all schools would be inappropriate but local councillors have urged ac- tion before a child dies. MEP Keith Taylor, who covers south-east England and is the Green Party member responsi- ble for road safety issues on the European Parliament's Trans- port Committee, has sent a let- ter to Kent Chief Constable Ian
ment's advice on 20mph zone is also very clear. “I can't think of anything
more reasonable than reducing the speed limits around schools, yet there seems to be little enthusiasm to do this de- spite the overwhelming sup- port of local people.” Recently, Cllr Mrs Sams
spoke passionately on the issue to the Maidstone Joint Trans- portation Board. Cllr Sams said: "People don't
Keith Taylor MEP with Cllr Tom Sams, Janetta Sams, Lenham Parish Council chairman Nigel Godfreyand Stuart Jefferyfrom Maidstone Green Party, outside Lenham Primary School.
Learmonth calling for him to back the idea. He said: “Both Oxford and Portsmouth have shown that
Search for the Christ Child
TAKE the family along to search for the Christ Child in Detling on Christmas Eve. This village enactment starts at 3.30pm
in St Martin’s Church, from where the crowd makes its way up The Street to find where Jesus has been born. You can sing carols on the way, meet the shepherds and the angels who will guide you on your way to the stable where the baby will be found. Warm clothes are es- sential for the journey. There will be hot apple juice and mince
pies served at the village hall at the end of the search and a collection will be made for the Children’s Society. Info: Tikki Gulland on 01622 737471.
20mph residential streets re- duce the speed of traffic with- out the need for other traffic calming measures. The Govern-
Smart Lenham leads the way
LENHAM is to be used as a pilot area for the SmartWater security-marking project. PCSODave Rowley told the parish council that up to 25 homes would be able to mark their personal items for free. “After that, I’d like to do a leaflet drop, area by area, in Lenham. If we get a good response, I’d like to book the community hall and get representatives from police, NeighbourhoodWatch and SmartWater to explain how it works. “If we can get Neighbourhood Watch back up and run-
ning in Lenham, every household covered by the scheme could get a SmartWater kit for £15. “If we put up signs saying it is a SmartWater area, there
is a good chance that criminals will walk away because the system has a 100% conviction rate.”
want these crashes. People have said we don't want to be putting down flowers.We don't want flowers, then a 20 limit and a slow-down.We want the slow-down first.” Cllr Sams accepted there
would be a cost but added: "It's a small cost and a lot smaller than an injury and death." Cllr David Marchant
(Downswood) said: “I’m always concerned when we look at the so-called accident rate, ie the fatal accidents, and then con- sider some action. I don’t think we are being proactive. “I really do believe that 20
limits at many schools we are talking about could assist, and we get there before someone is fatally injured,” he added. A police spokesman said it
was the police’s duty to enforce speed limits but it does not set them.
Holden + Co Legal Aid Solicitors
Do you have a Legal Problem? Do you feel Lost or Helpless?
Do you feel that you are being treated unfairly?
Let us try to Help you We are Legal Aid Solicitors
You have legal rights – we can explain them to you
headgardeners traditional barber
Tracey and her team modern styling
with Tracey, Claire, Natalie, Jackie & Rachel Prices from
Boy’s(up to 12) - £6.50
Cut - £7.00 Hair Graffiti from £1 Oap - £5.00
01622 692227 Open Mon-fri 8am - 6pm Sat 7am - 4pm
Appointments not necessary but may be made 17 Union Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1EB
would like to wish all their clients a Merry Christmas!
Buying or selling a property? For a FREE quotation visit our website
www.holdenandco.co.uk
Contact us or call in today at your nearest office Holden & Co Solicitors
HastingsOffice Liberty Buildings
East Sussex TN34 1HT T: (01424) 722422 F: (01424) 720108
AshfordOffice MaidstoneOffice 3 Bank Street
The America Ground Ashford 32-33 Robertson St Hastings
Kent TN23 1BX
4 Clarendon Place King Street Maidstone
Kent ME14 1BQ
T: (01233) 663000 T: (01622) 757665 T: (01233) 663009 F: (01622) 757891
www.holdenandco.co.uk Support YOUR local paper—and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330 East 5
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64