LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


Who keeps paths clear? Dear Sir – I would like to express my con- cern over the upkeep of certain passage- ways and footpaths in Bearsted. My husband and I are pensioners, andwe


have just spent two and a half hours clear- ing the stinging nettles and overgrowth along the passage from Bell Lane to Hamp- sonWay, by Banky Meadow. This passage is in constant use by dog walkers and joggers, as well as mums and small children going to and from Thurnham and Roseacre schools. It had reached the point that single file was the only way to go along, and itwas practically impassable and dangerous for pushchairs. We were concerned for the welfare of our grandchildren and their friends, and felt compelled to do something about it.


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


Who is responsible for maintaining these footpaths? Mr andMrs Martin, HampsonWay, Bearsted


Junction 7 views imbalanced Dear Sir – I amwritingwith regard to Maid- stone Council's Strategic site proposals for the Local Development Framework, and in particular the proposal for junction 7. Local East and NorthWard Lib Dem coun-


cillors were particularly shocked by the im- balance of views expressed by officers to residents when we individually, throughout the day, visited the recent consultation exhi- bition at the Hilton Hotel on Bearsted Road. KCC also seems determined that the com- mercial site be moved from junction 8 to junction 7. In its recent report in response to the consultation, there is no mention of the


Clampdown on builders’ waste


RULES have been tightened up for vehicles disposing of waste at Tovil tip. It has been illegal to dispose


of commercial waste at the county’s household waste cen- tres for some time, but there are now additional restrictions on householders using trailers to get rid of their rubbish and the amount of soil, rubble and hard- core which can be dumped. The changes will not affect


the majority of householders, except DIY-ers who use a trailer or who have large amounts of building rubble to get rid of. Trailers up to 6ft 8ins will be allowed, provided they do not exceed 1 cubic metre capacity and are no wider than the tow- ing vehicle. Only 190lbs of soil, rubble or hardcore can be dumped at any one time – the amount you could fit into a standard hatchback or car boot. The changes aim to clamp


down on builders and other peo- plewho still try to get rid of their commercial waste at sites de-


signed for household rubbish. KCC has expanded the waste transfer system for trade waste to coincidewith the changes. “The changes will improve


the operational and financial ef- ficiency of the recycling service Kent County Council provides for householders, and enable it to continue investing in ex- panding andmodernising exist- ing recycling centres, and increasing provision in mid Kent,” said a spokesman. If your only household vehi-


cle is a commercial vehicle under two metres high and under 3.5 tonnes, you can apply for vouchers which allow you to dump your household waste – otherwise, vans and pick-ups are not permitted. Asbestos and tyres cannot be


left at the Tovil tip, but can be taken to others, includingNorth Farm, TunbridgeWells, and Sit- tingbourne, for a small charge. For details go to www.kent.


gov.uk/hwrc, email HWRC: kent.gov.uk or call 0845 345 0210.


appalling traffic problems local residents al- ready have along New Cut at busy times, or the fact that Junction 6 to 7 is already one of Maidstone's hot spots for pollution, or its relationship to the Downs AONB, or the loss of countryside. I think also everyone is forgetting the po- tential loss to the area of Nottcuts, which is a well-loved local facility and would likely be replaced by large retail units which will be steel clad buildings with some glazing at the entrance. The approach of KCC is a bit like the ap- plication for the SBS building material re- cycling site in Tovil. They got it wrong there initially, as clearly stated by the Govern- ment planning inspector when the SBS site was finally rejected, and this feels the same. Ian Chittenden, Lib Dem member for South ward


Community offered improvement grants


ONE-OFF cash sums are being made available for projects to improve Maidstone. The Pride inMaidstone Fund


is a one-off pool of money pro- vided by Maidstone Borough Council, with up to £70,000 to spend on ventures over the coming year. Local voluntary organisa-


tions, charities and community groups are able to apply for a share of the cash, as well as community businesses, social enterprises and other not-for- profit organisations. Cllr John Wilson, cabinet member for communities and leisure services, said: “Our local communities are best placed to decide what their needs are and how they should be met, and this initiative pro- vides a real opportunity to make investment in the things that matter to them. “The council will provide support and will make funding available, but it is for commu- nities to come up with the


Boughton Malherbe Council Crimes reported


DownsMail In touch with your parish The speed limit signs on Liverton Hill were


FOUR crimes were reported for the period of May to August 6. There were two thefts, one burglary and an assault. PCSO Alan Beech was to attend the parish


once amonth for a surgery in the mobile po- lice station outside Grafty Green village hall. Residents who have something to report or who need advice should go to see him. There had been several successful Speed-


watch sessions. One vehicle had been caught several times driving through the village at speed, and would receive special attention from the police. The speed indicator device had not yet ma- terialised. The clerk had written to Ben Hilden,who was topass onthe complaint and county councillor Jenny Whittle was to inves- tigate.


due to be erected by the start of thenewschool term. The dangerous verge near Grafty Green garden centre and flooding at Crumps Lane Corner, Headcorn Road, had been dealt with, but the ditches inWoodcock Lane and blocked gullies in Church Road still needed attention. Cllr Robert Turner had recently pho- tographed a massive lorry on the hill. Cllr Whittle said she could fund a weight limit sign, although she doubted it would be ad- equate prevention. The parish could take part in a Lorry Watch Scheme but the sign would need to be in place first. Then Trad- ing Standards could enforce it with fines of £1,000. The missing finger post at Chain Gate had


still not been replaced. Potholes were reported in Elmstone Hole


ideas. The council wants all neighbourhoods in the Maid- stone borough to be able to thrive and I hope the Pride in Maidstone Fund will be the springboard from which new and exciting ideas will be launched. “I look forward to seeing in- novative projects coming for- ward.” A wide range of initiatives


are eligible to receive funding through the scheme, including the establishment of new or- ganisations or activities, events which promote community in- volvement or innovative ap- proaches that bring people together, and projects which encourage hard to reach groups to become active in the com- munity. The deadline for the first


round of applications is Friday, October 19. Application forms for the


grants can be downloaded from www.open4community.info/ maidstone/default.aspx


Road, Colebridge Lane, Grafty Green end of Church Road and broken road surface below Blenberry Farm. Tyres dumped in Church Road had been removed within a week of being reported. Cllr Turner suggested that parish groups needed to be created to help put together an emergency plan. An advert for help in Mal- herbe monthly had brought only one vol- unteer, so would be repeated. A member of the public reported that the 30mph signs by Wrens Nest had been moved and were no longer opposite each other, which had an adverse effect on sat navs. This had already been pointed out to Kent Highways. A member of the public suggested that a footpath map would be useful, and reported that the footpath sign at Judge Farm had fallen over. Cllr Tony King suggested a large


P50 Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735 East 35


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