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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 (MaidstoneCentral), 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 – as they do in London – 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 de- partment says it will consider “further trials where a dedi- cated need is identified”.


Bumper tea party as popular head retires A SURPRISE tea party filled with past pupils, governors and former members of staff was held to mark the retirement of East Farleigh Primary School’s popular head teacher Valerie Ellis. Mrs Ellis, who lives in Boughton Monchelsea, was head of


the school for more than 20 years and staff brought together colleagues old and new for the surprise party and end of term presentation. Chairman of governors Perry O’Callaghan paid tribute to


Mrs Ellis for all her hard work at the school, in Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh, and wished her a long, happy and healthy re- tirement. Mrs Ellis’ deputy, Paul Sapwell, is acting head teacher until a replacement head is appointed.


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.


Hire leisure centre


space for free SPORTING and cultural groups can apply for a let of Mote Hall at Maidstone Leisure Centre. Each year five free lets are available for events, as part of the contradeal with the on-site contractor Serco, to community organisations within the Maid- stone borough. The event must be sporting or cultural, be un- likely to proceed without a free let and be non-fundraising. Organisations wishing to


apply for a free let betweenApril 2012 and March 2013, should contact Amanda Scott on 01622 606247/amandascott@maid- stone.gov.uk. Final date for ap- plications is January 27.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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