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Summit plan to resolve transport issues


APUBLIC transport summit could be called to resolve the problems of traffic in south east Maidstone. Cllr Gary Cooke, chair of the town’s Joint


Transportation Board, told Loose residents he felt it essential to find a solution to mit- igate the traffic problems – but a bus lane was not the answer. The news comes hard on the heels of a U-


turn by Maidstone Council leader Chris Garland who, in a surprising manoeuvre, called for the brakes to be put on part of the bus lane along Loose Road. The cabinet, chaired by Cllr Garland, pre- viously nodded through the controversial proposal as part of its draft integrated trans- port strategy – which could become part of the overall Core Strategy – despite fierce op- position from residents. It has been estimated that a bus lane, which could cost £5-6m, would save buses 2.6 minutes from Wallis Avenue to the Wheatsheaf and just 1.2 minutes from the Wheatsheaf to Armstrong Road, while car journeys would increase by 35 seconds. Cllr Garland had originally said therewas


an argument for allowing cars into a bus lane on the Loose Road if they could prove they were carrying more than one passen- ger – effectively “car sharing”. But now he has said: “I do have concerns


about the proposed bus lane from the Wheatsheaf to Armstrong Road. It would take up 50% of the carriageway and, if cars wanted to turn right into Plains Avenue, it would cause a terrific backlog.” Cllr Cooke said the bus lane had been unanimously rejected by the JTB and would not be supported by Kent County Council. He also had some comfort for residents in


St Andrew’s Road, who are opposed to a new gyratory system to help traffic flows around the hospital. He said: “I do not expect a gyratory sys-


tem to form any part of an integrated trans- port strategy.” Cllr Cooke suggested a public transport summit be called, involving residents, bus operators and members of Maidstone and Kent councils, to see if there were any new ideas forthcoming. He said: “I am not alone in being ex- tremely concerned about this bus lane. At the JTB on October 24 last year,members of Maidstone and KCC resolved that the offi- cers go back and reconsider their proposals. I would suggest a subcommittee should guide them on redrafting this strategy, to en- sure that the quality of life and the air qual- ity of residents is retained.” Cllr Cooke assured: “Unless the JTB is prepared to support a bus lane, Bryan Sweetland (KCC cabinet member for High- ways) and KCC will not sign off a traffic order and it has been made patently clear that themembers have no appetite for a bus lane from Park Wood to Armstrong Road. I


consider the matter dead – and officers need to think again.” With regard to problems in St Andrews


Road, Cllr Dan Daley said he would like to see the former Fountain pub purchased and demolished to help traffic flows. Cllr Ian Chittenden said: “There seems to


be a remarkable reluctance of the officers to bring forth anything new in relation to the integrated transport strategy.” Cllr Derek Mortimer said he would not be satisfied until he heard the news directly from the officers’ mouths, He is now spearheading a transport sub- committee for the Loose area, to include the parish council, the Loose Amenities Soci- ety, Loose Valley Conservation Group and the NLRA. Cllr Clive English described the borough council’s process as “flawed” and said: “It looks like KCC is rescuing MBC from its own shambles of a transportation strategy, which is very welcome.”


Residents have their say MOREthan 850 residents from South East Maidstone have signed a petition objecting to the bus lane along the Sutton and Loose Roads. The document was presented to Cllr Gary Cooke, of


Lib Dem councillors Derek Mortimer, Ian Chittenden and Susan Grigg and Loose sub-post- master Brian Clark with the petition


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 placewith the bus companies, has he secured those assurances that bus fareswill 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?  Has anyone considered the effect that driverswill 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


the Maidstone JTB, by lead member of the ‘NO’ cam- paign Brian Clark and LibDem councillors Derek Mor- timer, Ian Chittenden and Sue Grigg. Mr Clark, of Boughton Lane, said he and the other signatories were aware that support for the bus lanewas givenby Maidstone Council cabinetmembers in March, but said: “We hope the increasing concern raised by many local residents and organisations be- cause of the cost, the further increase in congestion and the loss of local green spaces, will finally be taken into account.” Copies of thepetitionwere sent to Maidstone’s chief


executive Alison Broom and Cllr Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council.


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


to implement this project? Whether it is paid for from the public purse or private in- vestment, 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 Garland suggests that this is one way to get the public to use public transport more! I suggest 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 ofMaidstone, 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


School will add to traffic Dear Sir – I expect you have had many re- sponses to the bus lane proposal. I, too, have concerns, as driving down Sutton Road at peak time is very congested. I expect the tailbacks along the Sutton Road may even reach the police headquarters. The proposed new school at Boughton


Lane will add further to the large number of vehicle movements at the signal junction, which already suffers long delays, espe- cially if the pedestrian phase is used, frus- trating all drivers. If the plan does get the go-ahead, the only


way, in my opinion, that this could have a positive impact on deterring car drivers from driving intoMaidstone to work will be if a sensibly sized and efficient park and ride scheme is available. I read that bus stops are not ideally placed for people going to work in the town, so perhaps a review there may assist.


Robert Hudleston, by email 10 South Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330


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