Rail station revamp likely at last


HOPES of a major redevelopment centred on Maidstone East railway station are rising again.


There are definite signs that - after two aborted plans in recent years - a breakthrough is on the cards. Seven stations in the South East area, in- cludingMaidstone East, have been earmarked for potential redevelopment by Network Rail in conjunction with a property regeneration firm, Solum. The key is to identify an "anchor partner",


such as a retail giant, tounderpin the scheme's finances.


John Foster,Maidstone Council's economic development manager, said Solum Regenera- tion had been through a "beauty contest" process. "They have chosen who they want to work


with," he told this month's Maidstone Busi- ness Forum. Formed in July 2008, Solum is a partnership between Network Rail and Kier Property as a vehicle to regenerate South East stations. ASolum spokesman said: “We are currently appraising how the area around Maidstone East could be developed, bringing improve- ments to the station and other benefits to


Winners and run- ners-up with the Mayor, Cllr Brian Mortimer and


Sarah Hirsch from Kent Life.


the area. “We are still at a very early stage.We will be revealing more about this in the future, along with howwe intend to involve the local com- munity and local council in working up de- velopment plans.” Initially,Solum identified stations at Epsom, Enfield, Guildford, Maidstone East, Twicken- ham,Walthamstow andWembley - as part of a 10-year, £500m venture. "The Solum approach is to create value through mixed-use developments providing station and environmental improvements to the travelling public," added the spokesman.


5 and under Winner: Olivia Jones (5 ) from Gravesend


Runners up: EbenyWilliamson (5) Barm- ing; MadeleineWake (5) Maidstone 6-8 years Winner: CaitlinWindless (8) Maidstone


Runners up: Madeleine Fossett (7) Senacre Wood; Robert Roe (6) Ulcombe 9-11 years Winner: Sarah Seager (9) Sutton Valence


Runner up: Rhiannon Roe (10) Sutton Va- lence (Sister of Robert who is runner up in age 6-8); Bayleigh Pride (10)SenacreWood


In the picture with pantomime winners


TICKETS to Maidstone's Christmas pan- tomime and family fun day tickets were among the prizes won by youngsters who en- tered an art competition. During the summer and autumn, children


up to the age of 11 were asked to paint or draw their favourite pantomime character. A total


of 140 took part in the competition run by the Hazlitt Arts Centre andMaidstone Museum. The Mayor, Cllr Brian Mortimer, handed out


the prizes, including tickets for Aladdin and prizes donated by Kent Life and Leeds Castle. There were museum goodie bags for all win- ners and runners-up.


Make sure your roof’s safe for Santa!


ALL TYPES OF ROOFING DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL Sapphire’s gem of


a panto cast MAIDSTONE’S Christmas pan- tomime will star Elia Sapphire who left TV soap Emmerdale this summer. The 24-year-old is looking for-


ward to appearing as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin opposite for- mer Holby City and Hollyoaks star Jeremy Edwards. “I’ve always wanted to play Jasmine. I love the film,” she added. For tickets for Aladdin, which


runs at the Hazlitt Theatre from Saturday, December 3, to Sunday, January 15, call the box office on 01622 758611 or fol- low the online booking instruc- tions at www.hazlittartscentre. co.uk.


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