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Confusion over High Street signs


WORRIES about potential confusion over who can drive where in Maidstone's redesigned High Street have been raised with a government minister. The issue centres on signs that restrict access or af-


ford priority to certain vehicles. The problem is com- pounded by the Department for Transport's perceived reluctance to allow exceptions to its signage rules. Cllr Malcolm Robertson (Maidstone Central), who is


KCC's Lib Dem opposition highways spokesman, is concerned about the sign, proposed for both ends of the High Street, which is supposed to ban access to all vehicles other than buses and taxis (see image, above). He fears the one at the bottom end, for traffic coming off the gyratory system near Barclays bank, will causemost difficulties. Cllr Robertson (pictured left) believes there is


too much graphic and text information for mo- torists to absorb, resulting in cars being driven where they are not supposed to go. “I think the sign will be disregarded and cars


will come up the High Street willy-nilly. We want the Government to allow us to have signs –astheydoinLondon–which says‘No entry except for buses and taxis’. “Everyone understands the circular No Entry sign – red with with a white line across it. But


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the one planned for theHigh Street regeneration is not clear enough for the average motorist.” Cllr Robertson is co-signatory, with Kent’s highways cabinet member Bryan Sweetland, to a letter to transport minister Norman Baker, which says: “KCC fully supports the redesigned ‘No Entry’ exemption sign in the Government’s review of traffic signs, ‘Signing theWay’.


“Wewould like to see this new


sign implemented as soon as possible as the present sign is highly confusing and leads to significant abuse.”


The two councillors are urging


Mr Baker to extend London-spe- cific legislation to the county.


THE Department for Trans- port has allowed a trial in London of a new combined sign with the message “No entry except buses, taxis and cycles”.


Contraventions have dropped by 75% as a result of the sign change and the department says it will con- sider “further trials where a dedicated need is identified”.


Fears after caustic cleaner disappears OFFICERS are warning people to call Kent Police if they find eight bottles of a commercial cleaning agent, stolen from the doorstep of a house in Snodland. The eight white plastic bottles, taken from outside a house in Cooper Road, each contained five litres of a corrosive oven cleaner, and had the word ‘Brawn’ printed on the side. The caustic gel can burn and cause scarring if it is in contact with


skin. It is also dangerous if swallowed and could be particularly harmful to children. Anyone finding one or more of the bottles, which were in two cardboard boxes when they were stolen, should contact police im- mediately on the new non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, they can call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


Praise for prison MAIDSTONEPrison has been rated among Britain’s best. Inspectors awarded it the


top performance rating, level 4, achieved by just a quarter of prisons. Only four years ago, they criticised Maidstone for being overcrowded, dilapi- dated and unhygienic. Recognition by HMI of the


vast improvements was a great way for governor Andy Hudson to sign off. He started a new job at Rochester Young Offenders Institution recently. Andy Bell, from Dover's immigra- tion removal centre, has suc- ceeded him.


Take That tribute act ATAKE That tribute band is set to take parents and friends of a village school by storm at a fundraising night. Harrietsham primary school’s


PTFA has booked the band to appear at the village hall on Saturday, February 4. The PTFA has recently re- sourced an entire new school li- brary and paid for an external canopy to cover the reception class outdoor learning area. Funds raised from this latest


event will help to improve the playground. Tickets, priced £30 – to in-


clude a hot meal, are available from the school. Info – Susie Jack on 01622 859312 or 07812 555585.


Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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