STRONG FEELINGS OVER EFFECT ON TOWN OF Ignoring congestion ‘is not an option’
WHEN central government and the local highways authority have nomoney to build more roads we have to look at new ways of tackling congestion. Encouraging a shift to public transport is the single option that would have the biggest impact. However, this can only come about by making it more reliable and more frequent; the way to do that is to provide infrastruc- ture, such as the bus lane. In addition, the more people who use public transport, the lower the relative cost will become. All the tests undertaken prior to this de-
cision show an improvement in the time it takes for the bus to get to town, with mini- mal time delay for the average motorist at peak times. We considered junction im- provements, and whilst there will be im- provements to junctions along this route, none of them have the same positive impact as the bus lane. It is important to note also that the bus lane is not being financed by public money, but by the various develop- ments themselves. What is not an option is to sit back, like previous councils, and do nothing; the re- sults of this approach are there for all to see. Maidstone has for too long lacked a positive and “can-do” approach to transport, and has never had any coherent plan; this coun-
Maidstone Council leader Chris Garland gives his opinion on the Loose Road bus lane plan that has angered residents
cil is determined to be positive and pro-ac- tive in tackling congestion to improve Maidstone.
Continued from page one Loose Cllr Sue Grigg said: “It seems a bit
late in the day for the leader to suddenly announce this, when he has had six months to speak out against the Loose Road bus lane. “Itmakes no sense to support one section
and not the other.What is the point speed- ing the buses along the Sutton Road only to get snarled up when they get to the Wheat- sheaf? We want to see a holistic approach to the whole traffic issue in Loose.” A spokesman for NLRA said: “We find it incredible – nomatter what the ‘experts’ say – that we are seeing ever increasing traffic volumes, and yet the proposal is to reduce road space by 50% to allow a bus every
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Comment raises questions Dear Sir – I read with some interest your ar- ticle on the proposed new bus lane in Loose Road and also Chris Garland’s comments on the same, which for me raised a number of questions. Mr Garland talks about making public transport “more reliable and more fre- quent”. Am I to understand he has secured an undertaking from the bus companies that they will be placing more buses on the routes? He also says that “the more people use public transport, the lower the relative cost will become”. If indeed a discussion has taken place with the bus companies, has he secured those assurances that bus fares will lower upon delivery of additional passen- gers? He talks about “encouraging a shift to public transport”, but surely if car journeys are increased by a mere 25 seconds, this hardly constitutes an encouragement? Mr Garland makes the point that “to sit back, like previous councils and do noth- ing” is not an option, but surely change for change’s sake is also not an option?
We have listened to what people have
said and some have come up with improve- ments to the original scheme and we are considering making the bus lane also a lane for cars with more than one passenger. Many others have simply said no and done nothing on public transport, when there is no money about for major road schemes. This would be taking the same route as previous councils, which leads to greater congestion.
Supporting part of plan ‘makes no sense’
seven minutes to have a faster journey.” Cllr Derek Mortimer is spearheading a transport subcommittee for the Loose area, to include the parish council, the Loose Amenities Society, Loose Valley Conserva- tion Group and the NLRA. The first meet- ing was due to take place at the Chequers Inn, Loose, on April 22. He said: “In the light of numerous pro-
posed developments to the south of Maid- stone, we want to be in an informed position to put forward a joint response to any transport proposalswhich affect south Maidstone. and Loose in particular.” Cllr Stephen Paine, cabinet member for transport, said he was keen to hear all views on the scheme.
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Has anyone considered the effect that drivers will havewhen they seek alternative routes such as Cripple Street to avoid the congestion that will inevitably be caused? Finally, if the net effect of all of this dis- ruption is to lessen bus journeys by two minutes and increase car journeys by 25 seconds, why on earth is anyone bothering to implement this project? Whether it is paid for from the public
purse or private investment, it seems to me to be a complete waste of time. Steve Diprose, Dean Street, East Farleigh
Put the brakes on bus lane Dear Sir – I think the proposal of extending a bus lane from theWheatsheaf Pub to Arm- strong Road is another madcap scheme sim- ilar to the road calming in Coxheath. I use this road, like many others, on a reg-
ular basis and already the road is gridlocked due to the introduction of the traffic lights at the junction of Cripple Street and Boughton Lane. I understand that council leader Chris Gar-
land suggests that this is one way to get the public to use public transport more! I suggest
SCHOOLS in the Future Schools Trust entered the spirit of Red Nose Day, raisingmore than £1,500 for Comic Relief. CornwallisAcademy, NewLine Learning, TigerPrimary and Lit-
tle Learners Nurserywore red, baked cakes and played games – all in the name of charity. It was the first Red Nose Day for Tiger Primary School, where
pupils held their own bake-off, with some incredible creations from parents, pupils and staff. HeadteacherEmmaBryant, pictured left, tasted all the entries
and crowned parent Emma Knight the winner. The primary pupils, aged from four to seven, also created a giant tiger’s face with the coins they collected, pictured right. Other activities at the secondary academies included music performances and more cake sales at lunch and break times.
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he tries the buses from Staplehurst, which on many occasions do not even turn up. I hope the North Loose Residents’Associ-
ation gets its way and has this stupid idea reversed.
F. Livermore, by email
Council wrong on bus lane Dear Sir – I write whilemy family members are seething about the complete ignorance of the council to even consider extending the Sutton Road bus lane. When will the council realise that allow-
ing a restricted access lane will cause more delays? We are already seeing bollards with no workmen en route, which causes delays in the school holidays, so there’s no chance that it will only add 20 seconds to a journey as stated. I do wish I could get paid for incensing residents of Maidstone, whilst doing stupid things and not delivering a service to the community. Real businessmen need to run the coun-
cil not the idiots we seem to have. Julie Anderson, Loose Valley
Pupils sniff out Red Nose Day fun
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