Thurnham Parish News


20mph plea for Pilgrims Way


FRESH moves are being made to turn Pilgrims Way into a 20mph traffic zone. Previous efforts by several parish councils to impose aspeed limit on the historic route were blocked by the then KCC cabinet member. But Thurnham's Cllr Richard Smith has put the


issue back in the spotlight. He told members he had been walking on Pilgrims Way recently and had seen lots of people with their children on bikes. He said the vast majority of drivers stop and


give way but "the odd cretin ruins it for everyone else". He said pressure should be applied for a


Meetings normally held on the third Monday of each month at the Marriott Tudor Park Hotel. Public welcome.


CHAIRMAN: Richard Morley CLERK: Sherrie Babington 01634 867173


20mph zone as PilgrimsWay is a recreation area. "You should not have to dive into the hedgerow because of some Jack the lad," he added. Cllr Richard Jacques said a similar attempt to introduce aspeed limit between Hollingbourne and the Cock Horse, Detling, had "hit the obstacle of absolute refusal" a few years ago. He agreed Thurnham should raise the issue again, jointly with the two neighbouring parishes. The aim would not be to ban drivers but to "stop the id- iots", he added. Local county councillor Jenny Whittle's support was to be enlisted as it is a Kent highways matter.


Chance of a roundabout Council takes positive step


over footpath maintenance


THE Localism Bill may result in parish councils such as Thurnham being asked to take on new responsibilities. The council agreed it could consider tak-


THE possibility of anew roundabout on the A249 to serve the County Showground is back on the agenda. Cllr Peter Waite reported that a recent A249 re-


view meeting heard that a Stockbury roundabout was out of the question for the foreseeable future – but the showground option “could surface”, he added. Cllr John Horne said there was a “reasonable chance”. With the planned redevelopment of the showground site, highways officers “seem more dis- posed towards it”. If the roundabout was eventually built, said Cllr


Waite, at least people from Scragged Oak Lane would be able to do a left turn “without having to go half way to Sittingbourne” and it would also serve White HorseWood. “But we would like to see some action,” he added.


ing responsibility for footpaths in future – as powers are devolved to local communi- ties. If so, Cllr John Horne said it should be


subject to a service level agreement so that parish councils get a definite say on the matter. Cllr Richard Smith raised the subject of


how Government cuts might affect foot- path maintenance. He said the physical and mental benefits


of walking were important. Meanwhile, Mike Perring, who champi-


ons local footpaths and bridleways, as well as being awarden at Thurnham’s St Mary's Church, has been given The Alfred Mynn award for services to the community. Cllr Peter Waite had seconded the nom- ination proposed by Anna Preece on be- half of the parish council.


Hole lot of praise


for pothole fillers THERE was praise all round after parish councillors agreed contrac- tors had done a good job in filling potholes in the area last year. Steadline of Detling was among


the firms taken on by Kent Highways Services to tackle the huge backlog of road patching needed after last winter's worst weather for nearly 30 years. The council expressed its thanks -


and also congratulated county coun- cillor Jenny Whittle for arranging to get salt supplies delivered to local communities during recent snow- falls. Cllr Chris Smith said Averenches


Road had been gritted, which had helped hundreds of people get in and out. Cllr Whittle will be asked to send congratulations to KHS for regularly updating bulletins on the state of the roads.


10 East


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