Awareness campaign follows A-board battle


A FERVENT “street clutter” campaigner has been praised after advising highway chiefs on the controversial issue of A-frame advertising boards. Neville Butteriss, of Campbell Road,


Maidstone, has fought to rid the town’s streets of A-boards on behalf of visually im- paired, elderly and disabled people. He and his friend Pat Edwards collected


hundreds of signatures as part of their battle to get politicians to take notice. Now, KCC has agreed to run an aware-


ness campaign to edu- cate shopkeeepers about the dangers of A-boards for people like Mr Butteriss, who is registered blind. At the same time,


businesses would need to be told they could not continue with A-boards as the pave- ment was not wide enough, under the KCC rules.


Highways director John Burr described A- boards as a “Marmite issue”. He told a KCC scrutiny committee: “We


are trying to make the highway available to the public, but not to penalise busi- nesses.” Enforcement against obstructions could


KCC has decided against formally regu- lating businesses and has dropped plans to force owners to apply for licences to put ta- bles and chairs (£150) and A-boards (£65) outside their premises. Cllr Malcolm Robertson (Maidstone Cen-


HIGHWAYS director John Burr said KCC would not go straight into enforce- ment. First, they would speak to the shopkeeper, give him acopy of the guidelines and make sure he complies; if there were further problems, action would be taken, added Mr Burr.


be taken under the Highways Act 1980 but Mr Burr said: “One man’s obstruction is another man’s adver- tising.” He warned, how-


ever: “If we see an A- board that we consider to be an ob- struction we will deal


with it. We will serve a notice and remove it. Hopefully, that will be the exception rather than the rule. We want people to comply with the guidance.” Mr Burr said the highway is for “passing


tral) said he very much welcomed this new approach, rather than the previous bureau- cratic proposal. But he warned that a lot of


Good news for


grammar schools MAIDSTONE Grammar School is performing so well that it will not require routine full in- spections by Ofsted. The school, which was judged “outstanding” in Febru- ary 2008, has been notified by the education watchdog that an interim assessment indicated performance had been sus- tained. Unless Ofsted receives fur-


ther information that raises concerns, only annual assess- ments will be undertaken. Invicta Grammar School, which was rated “good” in No- vember 2007, has been notified, following an interim assess- ment, that Ofsted has deferred its next full inspection until at least the summer term of 2012.


and repassing, and not for advertising. “Technically, A-boards are not supposed to be on the public highway.”


Neville Butteriss and fellow campaigner Pat Edwards negotiating A-boards in Week Street.


Thank you, Neville MEMBERS of the highways scrutiny committee were “all very impressed” with Neville Butteriss when he addressed them last November. Cabinet member Bryan Sweetland said


so, as he welcomed Mr Butteriss to this month’s scrutiny committee at County Hall. Cllr Sweetland, who had recently had


two other meetings with Mr Butteriss, thanked him for his “valuable input”.


Stiff fines for train fare dodgers RAIL fare dodgers are being tar- geted by Southeastern trains.  Jack Underwood (18), of Upper Fant Road, Fant, pleaded guilty to travelling to Maidstone East station without a £4 ticket, and was given a fines and costs bill of £121.  Rotimi Carew (33), who lives in Allen Street, Maidstone, was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £452.20 for travelling without a £2.20 ticket to Bearsted station.  Connor Brosman (19), of Mar- ion Crescent, Shepway, was or- dered to pay a costs and fines


Flatconversion PERMISSIONhas been granted to convert ahouse into four flats at 48 Whitmore Street, Maidstone.


total of £114.80, after plead- ing guilty to travelling to Maid- stone Barracks station without paying for the £12.80 journey.  Graham Franklin (45), of Cas- tle Road, Allington, was given a fines and costs bill of £457.60 after travelling without a £7.60 ticket to Maidstone East station.  Sonni Histed (23) of Hedley Street, Maidstone, pleaded guilty to travelling without a £16.90 ticket to Maidstone East station and was ordered to pay fines and costs of £274.90.  Adam Lewis (18), of Beau- mont Road, Fant, was found not to have a £4.10 ticket for the journey to Maidstone Barracks station and received a fines and costs bill of £204.10.


Come to my House! YEAR 6 pupils atWest Borough School “grilled” Maidstone MP Helen Grant during their Enter- priseWeek. She said: “I was truly taken


aback with the quality of the pointed questions they asked. ”I extended an invitation to


visit me at Westminster, which I really hope they will accept.”


Catalytic targets CATALYTIC converters have been the target of thefts in Maidstone. They were stolen from a white Transit in a car park atWallis Place; from a Cit- roen Relay in College Road car park and from a minibus in the car park at Kent Probation Serv- ices HQ in College Road.


Micky is new Mote President A STALWART of local cricket, Micky Back, was elected president of The Mote CC at the annual meeting. Micky (pictured), a talented batsman and slow bowler, spent his early years withWest Farleigh CC before joining The Mote. He takes over from Roy Nicholls, who has moved from the area. All captains and senior officers were re-elected, including Ist


Chalet bungalow plan a “jarring note” to rhythm of cul-de-sac


New home refused atNorthdown Close MAIDSTONE Council’s planning committee refused an application for a new single-storey dwelling at Northdown Close, Maidstone. Cllr Tony Harwood said: “Northdown Close is almost unique in retaining houses that still compare with how the 1930s builder in- terpreted the modern style of the time. It would be retrograde and sad to put a jarring note to interrupt this rhythm. “It is a remarkable development and to plonk a chalet bungalow


there would be a very negative step, which would start to be the undoing of the architectural merit of Northdown Close.” The committee agreed, turning down the proposal due to its cramped appearance and being out-of-keeping with the two-storey detached and semi-detached homes in the cul de sac.


team captain Tom Harvey, who will lead the side’s Kent League Premier Division campaign. Dave Damen, captain of the fourth eleven, was chosen club- man of the year for his dedicated role with younger members.


A BABY had a lucky escape after a car mounted a pave- ment in Hollingworth Road, Park Wood. The vehicle hit a lamppost and then a mother with the baby in a pram. The woman received minor injuries to her back and was taken to Maidstone Hospital as a precaution.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


Baby escapes pavementscare Following the incident, a 38-


year-old man from Maidstone was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influ- ence and dangerous driving. Hewas taken to Maidstone Po- lice Station for questioning. Anyonewith information, con- tact – PC Jackson on 01622 604390.


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