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 advertis- ing boards. Neville Butteriss, of Campbell Road, Maid-


stone, has fought to rid the town’s streets ofA- boards on behalf of visually impaired, 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, KCC has decided against


formally regulating businesses and has dropped plans to force owners to apply for li- cences to put tables and chairs (£150) and A- boards (£65) outside their premises. Cllr MalcolmRobertson (Maidstone Central) said he very much welcomed this new ap-


proach, rather than the previous bureaucratic proposal. But he warned that a lot of busi- nesses would need to be told they could not continue with A-boards as the pavement 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


HIGHWAYS director John Burr said KCC would not go straight into en- forcement. First, they would speak to the shopkeeper, give him a copy of the guidelines andmakesure he complies; if there were further problems, action would be taken, added Mr Burr.


trying to make the highway available to the public, but not to penalise businesses.” Enforcement against ob-


structions could be taken under the Highways Act 1980 but Mr Burr said: “One man’s obstruction is anotherman’s advertising.” He warned, however: “If


we see an A-board that we consider to be an obstruc-


tionwewilldeal with it.Wewill serve a notice and remove it. Hopefully, that will be the ex- ception rather than the rule. We want people to comply with the guidance.”MrBurr said the highway is for “passing and repassing, and not for advertising. “Technically, A-boards are not meant to be on a public highway.”


Good rating for pre-school


ST Thomas More Pre-school in West Malling has been given a good Ofsted rating. The pre-school, which operates from The Priest’s House, The Hermitage, More Park, “promotes the unique needs of each child and supports their welfare and learning”, according to re- porting inspector Beryl Witheridge. She added: “Children ex-


for your diary


THE SALVATION ARMY 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED


Maidstone Salvation Army invite you to join us & celebrate the visit of


Amsterdam Staff Band


on Friday 3rd June 2011 at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 available in advance.


To order tickets, please send cheques made payable to


The Salvation Army, 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED, enclosing a SAE. For further information or to purchase tickets directly, please contact the Community Office on Tel: 01622 681808.


THE SALVATION ARMY 74-80 Union Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1ED The Salvation Army, Maidstone invite you to a


SUMMER SPECTACULAR concert at The Friars, Aylesford (ME20 7BX)


on Saturday 18th June 2011 at 7pm.


The concert will feature Norwich Citadel Band & Maidstone Songster Brigade (choir). Bring your own deckchair & picnic and enjoy a musical evening in beautiful surroundings.


Free Admission. (A collection will be taken during the concert) For further information, please contact the Church Office on 01622 681808. 16 Malling


48 High Street, West Malling, Kent ME19 6QR Tel: (01732) 840463


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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”.


plore within safe boundaries and enjoy being with staff and each other.” The pre-school, which opened in 1990 and caters for a maximum


of 26 children at any one time, was given an outstanding rating for its engagement with parents and carers. However, Ms Witheridge criticised the establishment for not al-


ways completing the register accurately and not practising the fire drill often enough to ensure children all children know what to do.


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