LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


How to solve limes issue? Dear Sir – I would like to clarify some is- sues regarding my application to fell the lime trees in Lenham Square. My proposal is not just about felling the


lime trees, it includes the replacement of the trees with new lime trees within root barriers. Imake this application reluctantly because I do, of course, enjoy the trees, es- pecially as they provide dappled shade and enhance the conservation area. Also, it will take several years for the new trees to be- come established. The existing lime trees were planted ap- proximately 25 years ago to replace thema- ture limes that had grown too large. They were negligently planted too close to the buildings along the side of the square know as “The Limes”, without regard to the po- tential damage they would cause. The technology was available to contain


the roots, and the mechanics of soil and roots was understood, but ignored. The problem is exasperated by impervi-


ous surfacing of the square, causing the roots to hunt water from the gardens to the rear of the buildings. I have been in communication with the council since 2004 to limit the spread of the lime trees. Their tree specialist recom- mended retro-fitting root barriers, but this was not done. Pollardingwas suggested, but this was only carried out once, five years ago, and raised local objection. Now, the trees are too large to retro-fit barri-


ers, and the council has failed to maintain a regime of annual pollarding, allowing the trees to increase in size by some 30 per cent. Pol- larding does not solve the problem anyway – it slows the ingress, but does not stop it. The correct solution to this problem is to re-plant the limes properly, in root barriers, to rectify the irresponsible planting some 25 years ago. Also, Tarmac should be removed around


the trees to create a pervious surface for rain watering. Although having a cost implica- tion now, it will probably be less expensive overall. I was, of course, aware of this prior to the purchase of the hotel. However, taking up the challenge of restoring the Lime Tree Hotel includes finding a long-term solution to this root damage. Legally, under the law of tort, the council


is liable for damage caused by its trees’ tres- passing roots. The size and quality of the foundations is immaterial. Maidstone Borough Council has placed a temporary tree preservation order on the trees for six months from July 31 this year. Should this order become permanent or should the trees be replaced? The medieval square and its listed build-


ings areyourheritageasmuchasmine– what should be done? P D King, Sandway, Lenham


Roadworks not co-ordinated Dear Sir – Yet again, the residents of Bearsted are having to suffer the conse- quences of road closures. The building of the new Kent Institute Hospital at Newn- ham Court has meant that Ware Street was closed from August 13 from New Cut Road to Hockers Lane. The notices advising local folk of this stated there would be delays for three weeks, but made no mention of the road being closed completely. The closure only came to light in a letter displayed in the window of Taylor’s Newsagents in Bearsted Green. I now see, in a small notice on one parish council board (outside the doctor’s surgery near the junc-


34 East


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tion of Yeoman Lane and Ashford Road) that BT wants to close this same road again on October 21. Am I alone in feeling that (a) our local council is completely inept at keeping resi- dents advised of such closures – I thought it was a legal obligation, and (b) they are also inept at insisting companies co-ordinate theirworkswhen road closures are needed? I thought this was a legal obligation too. The result is a huge increase in traffic


using the A20 Ashford Road, rendering it al- most impossible to join the road from any side streets, delaying bus services and forc- ing emergency vehicles to have to weave be- tween traffic on both sides of the road with their blue lights flashing. All this for a private company and, to add


insult to injury, the council officials are still trying to get us to agree to amajor construc- tion project at Junction 8 of the M20. I can only assume none of them live in the area. Jeanne Gibson, Birling Avenue, Bearsted


Blue Badge frustrations Dear Sir – I can only think that John Fun- nell (Mail, September) 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


We are solving problems Dear Sir – Jeanne Gibson’s letter in the Au- gust edition of the Downs Mail supports claims that the majority of parish council- lors are Conservatives and that the parish council is not “non-political”. Both claims are completely wrong. Only


four councillors are members of the Con- servative Party. All the others have no de- clared political affiliations. There are no party politics at Bearsted Parish Council – all councillors speak and vote as they wish, in the best interests of local residents. Mrs Gibson is also wrong when she claims “protocols only apply when it suits some councillors but can be set aside when inconvenient”. This is not true. By law, the parish council must follow statutory proce- dures and these must be applied to every- thing that it does. On several occasions over the past year,


the parish council has ignored these proce- dures and created problems for itself. One example is the damning report by the Stan- dards Committee of Maidstone Borough Council, which highlighted serious failings in theway the parish council was being run and which censured a former chairman for bringing the parish council into disrepute. The parish council’s failings are being ad- dressed by the present council, with the as- sistance of professional advice from officers of the borough council. Richard Ash, chairman of Bearsted Parish Council


Get off the fence Dear Sir – I was recently delighted to re- ceive a leaflet through my door from the Bearsted and Thurnham Society, urging res- idents to “act now” in the fight against the proposed development of junction 8 of the M20.


Once again, in the absence of any political leadership it is this voluntary, non-political organisation that is leading the fight against


this new threat that we all thought had been defeated. As a Bearsted resident of over 20 years, I remain unclear where our political repre- sentatives stand on this issue, even though the residents have made it clear what they will and will not tolerate. I hereby invite the councillors and all


other paid representatives to contact your publication and make their position clear. Either (a) they are totally opposed to any de- velopment at junction 8 or (b) they are non- committal, or refuse to comment. Any borough councillor, county councillor or in- deed our member of parliament, who fails to contact your newspaper could reasonably be put into the (b) category. At the end of this process, the people of Bearsted would have a clear picture of who they should vote for at future elections. I just wonder if those who are paid to repre- sent us will now get off the fence before the bulldozers arrive to knock it down. Steve Gibson, Birling Avenue, Bearsted


Sports shop link Dear Sir – Following the article about the closure of Hubble and Freeman, may I just put straight the lengthy history of this fam- ily business, because in the article there was no mention of David Reader. David Reader, my husband and grandson


of JC Hubble, was an owner and partner in the business from 1960 to 2001. Originally, he joined HJ Hubble, and later was joined by P Ludgate. Over the years they opened eight other shops in Kent, and our three daughters worked in the shops too. The business thrived for many years within the sports trade. Thank you for the article. Zandra (Buzzie) Reader, Fairbourne Court, Harrietsham


Parking signs confusing Dear Sir – I would like to add to the com- ments made by John Dickens in the Sep- tember Downs Mail story titled Parking dilemma for disabled. The signage in the high street is inade-


quate, confusing and misplaced. If you drive from Fremlins Walk along Pudding Lane, there is a large clear sign stating that entry to the High Street is for buses, taxis and blue badge holders. At the entrance at King Street it only


states buses and taxis. At the bottom of the High Street, the sign also states only buses and taxis. This sign is also placed incorrectly, as


there are loading bays in Lower Stone Street andMill Street, so how are ordinary drivers supposed to access these? Surely this sign should be at the junction of High Street and Mill Street? I would also note that the disabled bays


in the High Street are loading bays during restricted times. I have, however, found that IhavebeenunabletoparkwithmyBlue Badge outside of loading times, due to the spaces being taken up by vans, but I have never seen one with a parking ticket. One final moan, and this one is about fel-


low Blue Badge holders. When parking in a Blue Badge area, please have a bit of consideration for other Blue Badge drivers. Why park half a car’s length from the end of the bay ? Recently in the Wick Manor Road dis-


abled bays, there would have been room for at least three more cars, had drivers parked considerately. David G.Woodcock, 328Willington Street, Maidstone


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