Parking misery for drivers


MORE misery could be just around the corner for motorists in Maidstone, with news that parking fees are to escalate. The town’s draft integrated transport strategy proposes pushing up the cost of short- stay parking by 20% and long- stay parking by a bumper 50%. That means the cost of park-


Bigger offices


for Age UK BIGGER and better facilities will be available to the over 50s in Maidstone, following the re- location and rebranding of Age Concern. Age Concern – now known as


Age UK Maidstone – has moved just a few doors from its home in Mill Street, but the new offices provide more meet- ing rooms, with the chance to launch a benefits advice and advocacy service. Deputymayor Cllr Clive Eng-


lish opened the centre along with Cllr Graham Gibbons, KCC’s cabinet member for adult services and Diane Aslett, from Age UK London. He paid tribute to the ongoing success of Age UK in the Maid- stone area and thanked them for their contribution to the community. Ms Aslett said: “Maidstone is


a real beacon for Age UK. It of- fers so many services.” Chairman Pat Thomas out-


lined the services offered by Age UK, from day centres and run- ning bus fleets to free computer classes, footcare clinics, wheel- chair and disability aid hire and independent living support. The new offices had been


aided by a legacy of £209,000 which allowed Age UK Maid- stone to purchase its own prop- erty for the first time. The Maidstone centre has 50 staff and 80 volunteers.


ing for three to four hours would rise from £2.70 to £3.25, while a stay of more than four hours would cost £7.50 as op- posed to the current £5. Maidstone Council argues its tactics are to encourage private motorists to use public transport or the park and ride scheme. However, it concedes: “It is recognised that short-stay town centre car parking plays a vital role in supporting businesses in the town centre.”


The council argues the fee in- creases are reasonable, as the new parking tariff levels will still remain competitive within the private town centre car parking market. The council also wants to in-


crease use of the park-and-ride service to help reduce the over- all demand for parking in the town and reorganise it to en- courage car sharing. Maidstone wants to look at


ways of shifting the fare struc- ture for park-and-ride from “pay-to-ride” to “pay-to-park” in 2013. The council claims the cur-


rent fare structure does not en- courage car sharing as each passenger is expected to pay for the bus, which conflicts with the objective of reducing the number of cars on the road, and


has led to the service being sub- sidised. “This is clearly not sustain-


able in the current financial cli- mate and puts the future of the service at risk,” says the report. The 50% rise in the cost of long-stay parking is designed to encourage car commuters to consider walking, cycling or using public transport. The report says: “This will


have the effect of better manag- ing traffic congestion and re- lated problems in the town centre during peak periods.” KCC has already committed to introduce a new bus pass for 16- 19 year olds, to make travel more affordable for sixth form- ers, college students and ap- prentices. It will cost £10 per week and provide unlimited bus travel seven days a week.


London to Paris trip


boosts hospice funds COLIN Norgate, president ofMaidstone Riverside Rotary Club, joined the London to Paris cycle ride to raise funds for the chYps children’s hospice. The 296-mile ride took four days, and Colin


raisedwell over £2,000 for chYps, with funds still coming in. “If I had realised the amount of training time in-


volved before I started, I might have had second thoughtsabout the venture,” saidColin, “butonce I started on the ride I realised therewere67other riders all with the same drive to raise funds for their own charities and that spurred us all on.” “I cannot begin to describe the emotions I felt


aswecycledaround theEiffel Tower, but reliefand pride at what I had achievedwere certainly some of them”, he added. “The support I have received from family, friends and colleagues hasmade this allworthwhileand knowing that terminally ill chil- dren in West Kent will benefit gives me a great sense of satisfaction” The chYps charity provides hospice at home


care formore than120children acrossWestKent, including Maidstone. Formore informationgo towww.chyps.org. You


can sponsorColin atwww.doitforcharity.com/Col- inCHYPSLondon2Paris.


Care village plan for industrial site


A SITE described as an “unat- tractive industrial estate” could be transformed into a care village, if plans are agreed.


Developers English Villages


is preparing to submit a plan- ning application for a continu- ing


care retirement


community, with a 36-bed nursing care home and 99 close care and assisted living apartments, together with a shop and wellness centre, at Ledian Farm in Leeds village. The project was given out-


line permission in February 2010, but now the details of the scheme are being revealed. The site is currently said to


be incompatible with the ad- joining historic buildings in a conservation area.


34 East The development aims to


offer older people and younger people in need of care a combi- nation of independence and se- curity within a socially active and supportive community. There would also be a wide


range of day care options for older people, such as a restau- rant, café, library and craft


room. There would be a treat- ment room for visiting GPs and a meeting room where clubs and societies could meet. A wellness centre with gym- nasium, jacuzzi and steam room will form an important part of the development, offer- ing relaxation as well fitness programmes, rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Keith Cockell, chairman and managing director of English Villages, said: “Over 100 jobs will be created for local peo- ple, with full training and sup- port to complement the high quality facilities.” Final plans for the care vil-


lage will be submitted after consultations with local resi- dents and Maidstone Borough Council.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Garage consent MR S Gallagher was given per- mission for a side garage with utility area at Woodside, Thurnham Lane, Thurnham. Maidstone Council granted per- mission on condition that a na- tive hedgerow is established to the west of an existing fence.


Birch trees can go JILL White has applied to fell three protected silver birch trees at 51 Fauchons Lane, Bearsted, due to “health and safety issues posed by falling branches”. Maidstone Council will de- termine the application.


Taxi office request APOLLO Taxis has applied for retrospective planning consent to establish a taxi booking of- fice and workshop to maintain taxi vehicles at Tyland Corner, Tyland Lane, Sandling.


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