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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Farleigh bridge problems Dear Sir – Iwould like to bring your attention to the problems with the bridge at East Far- leigh. There is a very restricted view of on- coming traffic, which often results in one line of traffic having to reverse off the bridge. I have spoken to a local councillor, who


said the problem wasn’t too bad, but I suggest it is. Coming down from the Bull pub, you need to wait at the last entrance on the left, and thenmake a mad dash, hoping there are no cars coming from the blind corner on the other side. While waiting there, a large tree obscures


the view of traffic coming down the hill. This tree is situated alongside the signal box. If the owner could be persuaded to let it be cut back, the view of the hill would be opened and from our side we could judge when it is safe to enter the bridge. Another problem is oversized traffic trying


to cross the bridge. Recently, our residents’ association organised a trip out. They hired a coach from out of our area, andwewaited for it at the appointed time. He arrived 90 min- utes late, having tried to use the bridge and getting stuck. When I spoke to him of the no- tice about heavy traffic, he said he had not seen it. This is something else I spoke to our coun-


cillor about – the notice is at the junction of Tonbridge Road, and is situated on the right hand side. I feel it should be on the less ob- scure left side, as during the summer it is half hidden by a bush. Of course, the offending tree is free of


leaves in winter, giving the view I would like to see all year round.


Jack Hickey,Hartridge Farm, East Farleigh


Food market is way forward Dear Sir – I am mildly irritated at Rob Tay- lor’s unimaginative claim that yet another su- permarket is needed. We do not need another one, as we already have Morrisons (usually very well stocked when I visit), Tesco, Aldi, Lidl, Sainbury’s and many, many conven-


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or e-mail: info@downsmail.co.uk


ience stores and Co-ops. My suggestion is this; have a food market


area set up undercover. It can be used at weekends for a sheltered farmers’ market, giving the opportunity to purchase quality products, and then one, two or three times a week a foodmarket, covering all budgets, but mainly concentrating on products such as fresh food. Once a week, hold a night market – I’ve vis-


ited a wonderful one in the south of France. It had lots of stalls from local people, selling their produce such as cheese,wine of course, meat, and there were many stalls selling freshly prepared food; hog roasts, seafood, crepes, strawberries andmore. There were some interesting escargot stalls,


but let’s keep it relevant and local! There were also a few trinket and jewellery stalls. The place was buzzing with people and it was a community event. Let’s get a bit more of a healthy choice on


offer inMaidstone. Let’s educate our children on how to shop and eat healthily, instead of another supermarket selling Pot Noodles, readymeals and cheap alcohol. Consider the area - low income tends to re-


sult in a poor diet, so let’s approach this from a different angle and see if we can provide some balance against the 24-hour McDonald’s and KFC on the Sutton Road. I amno “EarthMother” or such like; I take advantage of the deals in the supermarkets which I visit every week to provide for my family of five. I am on a limited budget and constantly


aim to buy healthywhen I can. But I’m bored by the fact that all supermarkets are practi- cally the same and I want some healthy and creative choices.


SusanWilliams, by email


Poor choice of town shops Dear Sir –What has happened toMaidstone in the last few years? There are no decent shops in town; all mobile phone shops, restaurants, jewellers, discount shops, and all


‘Dangerous’ blocks to be removed


MAIDSTONE Council is to re- move the controversial granite blocks in the High Street bus stops and taxi bays, following a repeated number of falls. The blocks, installed as part of a


£2.7m revamp of the town centre, are to be replaced with black tar- mac, so that pedestrians canmore easily differentiate between the pavement and the road. Temporary yellow lines were painted along the kerb edges after the council received several com- plaints of accidents – including from one of its own members. Those lines have now faded and been replacedwith black painted lines. Maidstone Council cabinet member CllrMalcolm Greer, said: “Despite all the consultations and safety audits people have said that they have fallen, which is distressing for all concerned.” Cllr Greer saidhe hoped the tar-


mac surface would create the maximum possible distinction between the height of the car- riageway and the pavement. He said the additional cost


32 Town


would be money well spent as, while the main aim was to avoid unnecessary falls, it would also reduce the need for, and cost of, cleaning the engine oil stains off the paving slabs. He said the granite blocks would not go to waste, as they would be used for work on the second phase of the High Street – the lower end –which is likely to start early next year. The council is about to go out


to tender for this work after mak- ing anadditional £1.lm savings in this year’s budget. The council is also putting together a tender document for the marketing of Ju- bilee Square.


VolunteersWeek THE annual showcase of Maid- stone’s voluntary sector will be taking place in The Mall in the week commencing October 22. The event, sponsored by Gold- ing Homes, is a chance for local charities to demonstrate the range of their work and appeal for more willing hands to help.


Makeover for college campus WORKis nowwell underway on the£25mmakeover of theMidKent Col- lege Maidstone Campus, whichwill bring the siteuptothe high standard of its Medway counterpart. Due for completion in December 2013, the makeover includes refur- bishment of the former University for the Creative Arts premises. Acting principal, Sue McLeod, said: “The Learning and Skills Council


has assessed our financial strength as ‘outstanding’, which is why we have been able to invest so significantly in both our campuses. “Our financial management and governance has also received the


highest rating possible. Thismeansthat students can be confident of re- ceiving the best education in top quality premises.”


Teenager’s purse stolen by robber ATEENAGERwas robbed of her purse containing £100 as she walked fromMaidstone town centre shortly before 3am on August 25. The 19-year-old victim, from Staplehurst, was walking down Col-


lege Walk, between Priory Road and College Road, when the sus- pect is reported to have approached her from behind and stole her purse. He is described as white, 5ft 7in tall, wearing a black T-shirt, jeans and had a deep voice and a local accent. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Con Nicola Mullins on 01622 604336 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.


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


for the young. It is supposed to be the county town, but I would say this is Canterbury. J Abnett, Culpeper Close, Hollingbourne


Bus pass hike unreasonable Dear Sir – My son has attended the Ayles- ford School Sports College from the age of 11, using the Freedom bus pass, which cost me £100 per year. I have accepted this cost with no com- plaints, but now I have been informed that when he enters the sixth form this term, the cost will rise to a phenomenal £520 per year, because he reaches the age of 16. As a sixth former, he will attend the sports college for, at most, four days aweek. How can anyone justify a rise of such mag- nitude, when he will be using this service less? Nothing has changed – hewill be using the same bus and route, so what is the justi- fication for such a rise,when he will only be using this service for another two years? I emailed the transport department at


Kent County Council in July, to find out why this has increased, but have not yet re- ceived a reply. I thought the councils and Governments were pushing for more use of public transport to make this a greener way of travelling? If this is the cost of a bus pass for students, he will now have to travel to and from college by car. Mrs P May,Willowmead, Leybourne


Blue badge frustrations Dear Sir – I can only think that John Fun- nell (Mail, August) has not tried to renew his blue badge recently. As a holder of a blue badge, when it came


up for renewal I followed the directions carefully, allowing six weeks. However, when I telephoned for the renewal form I was told it would take eight weeks. I re- turned the form by first class post on June 1. My new badge arrived yesterday, August 20, 11 weeks and three days later. P.W. Saward, by email


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