LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


I loved the trolley buses and the shops all down the High Street. No longer the smil- ing “Can I help you” from any shop staff you find. So likeme, those old factories and work buildings are past their best, but they all gave our young people work and a pride to work for their money, instead of the con- stant benefits now. As for the tourist information centre mov-


ing to the museum, I complained to the councillors and the town centre manage- ment, stating it must be in the busy centre for all the visitors, and not in the side street away from tourists. I was told it was a good move, making sure, I expect, that the mu- seum got visitors. In the end I gave up – the council and town management all thought they knew


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


best. I used it before themove, but not now. It’s too far to walk forme, and I expect oth- ers too.


Gladys Tompsett, Holtye Crescent


Venetian-style elegance Dear Sir–Iverymuchagree with Dennis Fowle that efforts so far to re-develop the old industrial embankment of the Medway have failed to exploit fully Maidstone’s po- tential as a riverside town. In my view, however, the main failing has


been not in the nature of the developments along the west bank, but in the failure to ad- dress the fact that it is the massive traffic barrier of the A229 that prevents the full achievement of that potential by isolating town centre shoppers from the east bank.


I assume there is no realistic way of re- moving or burying that traffic, but I have often wondered whether inspiration could be taken fromVenice’s Rialto Bridge to create an architecturally-beautiful covered foot cross- ing with integral boutiques leading from Earl Street orWaterside (or perhaps even straight across from House of Fraser’s already ele- vated car park) and down to more outlets built above tidal height along the east bank. Such an imaginative approach could transform the town centre, adding signifi- cantly to its size, making it more attractive as a mooring place for boats and as a loca- tion for small specialist outlets serving them, and greatly improving its appeal to tourists and to shoppers. David Cocketham, Bearsted


Broomfield and Kingswood Council New councillor


DownsMail In touch with your parish Cllr StevenWaring said he had


PETER Page had put himself forward for co-option on to the council and had attended previ- ous council meetings. Cllr Peter Corfield proposed that he be co- opted, seconded by Cllr Paul Beaney and agreed by all. Cllr Michael O’Neill welcomed Cllr Page to the council team. Regarding the provision of


super-fast broadband, Cllr Cor- field said his experience of satellite broadband was very mixed. He had not been able to get online for aweek and a half, and although it was now fixed, he was finding it quite expen- sive. Dependant on individual requirements, it was still worth considering. He and Cllr Terry Baker were to write to MP Hugh Robertson regarding poor broad- band facilities in rural commu- nities.


Chart Sutton Council Crime report


PCSO Richard Kirby was unable to be present, but had sent in a crime report, which included a theft in Chart Hill Road, a theft from a vehicle, and an attempted theft from a vehicle. Community warden Liz Lovat reported on burglary, shed break-ins, oil thefts, vehicle thefts and fly-tip- ping.


Residents were reminded not


to leave vehicles unlocked or with the keys in the ignition. Cllr Paul Ward had arranged


for a speaker from the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership to give a presentation at the an- nual meeting. The clerk was asked to ask Mrs Adams and her daughter if they were able to pro- vide and serve the refreshments. Cllr Peter Forknall offered to pro- vide the wine and CllrWard of- fered to provide apple juice. Members discussed a request


from Kent Fire and Rescue to in- spect fire hydrants, and Cllr Forknall agreed to carry out the inspections.


asked Aspen Tree Services to look at the trees in the village, and the only tree that needed at- tention was the oak tree in the corner of the village hall car park. It was agreed that the work, which would cost £350 plus VAT, should be carried out. The remaining trees in the village would be reviewed on an ongo- ing basis. The clerk was asked to report to Highways the fungal growth on the oak tree situated outside the fence to the Memo- rial Field. CllrWaring had spoken to both


the Sunday teams regarding the cleanliness of the changing rooms, but only the Saturday teams used the changing rooms. Cllr Waring had inspected the changing rooms recently and they had been left in a better state after the clerk’s reminder to all teams. The clerk was asked to buy bin bags for the pavilion so that players could leave the rub- bish out for collection. Cllr Waring asked the clerk to remind Maidstone Council to empty the bin at the far end of the children’s play area as it was being missed. Borough Cllr Steve Munford


had met the highways/drainage department regarding the ongo- ing flooding and drainage prob- lems on Warmlake Road and suggested that Chart Sutton set up similar meetings to discuss problems in the parish. Work was due to start on the


“Unsuitable for HGVs” sign, weather permitting. Members said theywanted Cllr Munford to continue with the project to ob- tain further funding for addi- tional signs. Cllr Munford talked about the public meeting at Cornwallis School on Thursday, March 14, to discuss the proposal from Golding Homes for 5,000 new homes in south east Maidstone as part of the “Garden Suburb” development.He had been asked to put together a list of parishes willing to object. The chairman said he had spo- ken toHighways regarding flood-


ing on the B2163 and at Rabbit’s Cross and they had been quick to investigate the problem. Cllr Waring spoke about Cllr


ChrisWebb’s idea to obtain email addresses of residents so that the clerk could pass on any urgent messages. Cllr Waring said the Shop on


theGreen intended to extend the rubber matting, and members agreed that theywould be happy to contribute to the costs. Cllr Valerie Underdown said


the fete was to go ahead on July 6, and volunteers would be needed to help set up. Members were asked to think of anyone who might need a stall or pro- vide an event or display for the arena.


Coxheath Council Admin role


MOIRA Walter had been ap- pointed as temporary adminis- trative assistant to support the parish council in the produc- tion of a neighbourhood plan. Ameeting was to be held with members of Kent Highways to discuss the outcome of the safety audit report on the re- vised Heath Road traffic calm- ing proposals and to map the way forward. New steel fencing and kissing


gates had been erected at the eastern approach to the village hall playing field. Anew parish council notice


board had been installed in Clock House Rise, on the grass verge to the east of Holy Trinity Church. The Boundary Commission


had delayed any decision on changes to parliamentary con- stituency boundaries until 2018. It was hoped the parish coun- cil-led youth and recreation group would meet to discuss potential summer programmes for young people in the village. The annual parish meeting


was expected to be held in the first half of May. More details would be announced at the next meeting.


Oil tank targeted PCSO JoWatts was unable to at- tend, but PC Nicola Krucyk re- ported that there had been one crime in the village over the last month – a fence had been dam- aged in Upper Hunton Hill dur- ing an attempt to steal oil from an oil tank, but none was taken. Regarding the purchase of


East Farleigh Council


land, following approval of planning


application


MA/12/1968 car park for 72 spaces, with access off Vicarage Lane, this was still with the so- licitor. There had been a delay due to an issue with sight lines. Residents of Dean Street (the stretch from its junction with Forge Lane to its junction with Lower Road) attended to express their concern at the number of HGV/large vehicles using the street, getting stuck at the narrow points and then causing Contin- ued from page 33


long delays and damage to some properties (and their vehicles) as they tried to extricate them- selves. The council agreed to pursue the matter with KCC Highways and the Village Plan ActionGroup offered some of the funds left in the lottery grant to perhaps carry out a traffic count of both this stretch and another problematic stretch in Gallants Lane. Ray Morris reported to the council, on behalf of the Village Plan Action Group. County Cllr Paulina Stockell and Ben Hilden from KCC Highways were both enthusiastic about the ideas generated as a result of the traffic survey andwere keen to support the suggestions made, namely improved sig- nage at the Montessori School on Lower Road, improvements to the Forge Lane/Dean Street junction, and putting together a practical and affordable plan for the junction at Station Hill/Lower Road/Vicarage Lane with KCC Highways and Paulina Stockell. The council agreed to set take these three is- sues forward.


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