KENT Police have been heavily criticised for their attitude to requests for 20mph speed limits near schools. Lenham is one of several communities
that has campaigned for such restrictions and has raised a 1,000-signature petition. But the police say they are not in favour of 20mph limits unless they are "self-enforc- ing" (see panel). Maidstone's Joint Transportation Board
(JTB) reacted angrily as members said it im- plied a lack of enthusiasm by the police for their legal duties. Cllr Dan Daley, a former mayor, said he
was concerned their apparent attitude was not to police a limit unless it was self-en- forcing. He said the highways authority has the power to impose speed limits. In the case of 20mph, it is a safety precaution around schools. He said there did not seem to be any problem with suchmeasures elsewhere in the country, for example, in Norfolk. "What is it about Kent Police?" he asked. Cllr Daley said, from time to time, officers
could "blitz" a 20mph zone. "They do it in other areas when it suits them. Why can't they do this? It's not on." Lib Dem colleague Malcolm Robertson
Anger as police snub 20mph limits ‘
THE official response from the police was as follows:
Kent Police will not support 20mph
speed limits unless the average speed of vehicles is 24mph or less. Supporting evi- dence is gained by collecting speed data over a 24-hour, 7-day period. Research has shown that signed-only 20mph limits, where natural traffic calming is absent, have little or no effect on traffic speeds.
said he did not support a limit outside every school but thought more sites should be looked at. Most drivers, he said, would adhere to 20mph limits near schools – and those who did not would at least drive at 30mph in a 20mph area rather than 40mph in a 30mph area. He also wondered about the possibil- ity of digital signs that would display limits at certain times of day only – the start and end of school. Cllr Colin Parr (Lib Dem) said he "objected totally" to the police's "blanket" statement and that every case should be treated on merit.
Lenham's county councillor Jenny Whit-
tle (Con) accused the police of "riding roughshod over public opinion" and called
The Transport Research Laboratory
found that signed-only 20mph limits achieved average speed reductions of about 1mph and did not significantly re- duce accidents. Kent Police will not support the introduc-
tion of 20mph zones without sufficient traf- fic calming measures being in place, and of appropriate design, that reduce the speed of most traffic to 20mph or less thereby making them self-enforcing.
on the JTB to "robustly challenge" their statement. She added that locals had vol- unteered to monitor speeds and work with the police. Cllr Bob Hinder (Con) said the message
’
the police were giving to the public - that they would do nothing if Joe Bloggs drove over a 20mph speed limit – worried him "immensely". Lib Dem Cllr Clive English was concerned
about future enforcement of all speed lim- its.
"If we don't address this issue I can see a slippery slope with the police washing their hands of the whole thing." Chairman Gary Cooke (Con) said he would arrange a meeting with the police to convey the JTB's strong feelings.
Open meeting
on diabetes THE Maidstone Voluntary Group of Diabetes UK is hold- ing its next open meeting on Wednesday, March 16 at 7.30pm. It is at the Robert Hardwick
Room in the Post Graduate Medical Centre, now incorpo- rated in the new Academic Centre at Maidstone Hospital. Guest speaker is Dr Dennis Barnes, clinical lead for dia- betes at the Kent & Sussex Hos- pital. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge. Enquiries to Derek Savage on
Friends celebrate 20 dedicated years
VOLUNTEERS past and present got together to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Friends of Blackthorn shop in Tonbridge Road, Maidstone. They included Brenda Smith who has been a
key member of the team since the first day and has supported Blackthorn for even longer than that.
The shop, which is run entirely by volunteers, Thieves target
children’s charity A COMBINED television and DVD player was stolen from the shop floor at The Children’s Trust’s shop in Gabriel’s Hill, Maidstone. The £140 black Technika TV and
DVD player was playing a series of short films about the national char- ity, showcasing its work with some of the UK’s most severely disabled children and young people. Police believe the TV was taken
some time between 3pm and 5pm on February 10, while staff were busy serving the last customers of the day. The thieves by-passed two mem-
bers of staff on the shop floor to snatch the items.
22 Town
has raised a total of £250,000 since it opened. David McGavin, founder of the Blackthorn
Trust, joined chief executive Jan Prior in thank- ing everyone for their amazing dedication. Guests enjoyed a glass of bubbly and cake made in the Blackthorn kitchen. The shop is always looking for volunteers. If you can help, contact Emma on 01622 722219.
Three-man mugging in Shepway
A50-YEAR-OLD man was set upon by a group of three men and robbed in Oxford Gardens, Shepway. The victim had his mobile phone, wallet and a quantity of
gold jewellery, including a neck chain and three rings, stolen. DC Gen Wood, from Mid Kent’s major enquiry team, said:
“The victim was punched and as a result was left with a lump to the left side of his head. “We believe the three men were possibly wearing balaclavas
and ran off in the direction of Oxford Road.” Info - 01795 419161.
THE HOMEBASE store atAylesford is expected to reopen in May – a year after being destroyed in a bank holiday weekend arson attack. A spokesman for the DIY retail chain said progress on the rebuilding project had been good and it was hoped that a specific launch date would be announced soon.
01622 763779, email: dereksav-
age@virginmedia.com.
Takeaway at 4am THE new takeaway planned for 27 Hart Street, Maidstone, has applied to stay open until 4am on Friday and Saturday nights and 1am on other days. Planning permission was granted in December for the takeaway to move into the cur- rent premises of The Good Life restaurant, but on condition that it trades only until 11pm.
£864,000 deal MAIDSTONE Council's former Park and Ride site at Armstrong Road has been bought by Gold- ing Homes – formerly Maid- stone Housing Trust – for £864,000. The social landlord already owns the council's old vehicle depot nearby.
New Homebase store set to rise from the ashes The shop was wrecked in a fire which burned
for 42 hours after being started in one of the aisles on May 1. The cost of the blaze was esti- mated at £8 million. Staff who have been working at other branches in the area since the attack will be re- turning to Aylesford when it reopens.
Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735
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