Disabled charged for hospital parking
DISABLED visitors to Maidstone Hospital must now pay for parking. New regulations were introduced in Janu-
ary, meaning people who had previously shown their blue badge to get free parking at the Hermitage Lane site must now pay the same as able-bodied patients. A spokesman for the Maidstone and Tun- bridge Wells NHS Trust said the charges had been introduced to bring the hospital in line with the new TunbridgeWells Hospital in Penbury. The spokesman said: “We offer 30 min-
utes’ free parking and there is a 30-minute grace period from when you have paid to when you leave the car park, which gives our less mobile visitors the time to get to their vehicle. Our payment machines are close to the main entrance.” Disabled bays are marked out in both hos- pital car parks and concessions are available
for both able-bodied and disabled patients falling into a number of categories, includ- ing those undergoing radiotherapy, chemotherapy and dialysis and parents vis- iting children. Natalie Smith, chairman of Maidstone Disability Forum, was not happy. She said: “Maidstone Disability Forum is disap- pointed that the hospital has decided to in-
FREE parking will continue in West Malling’s main car park – for the time being. A review by Tonbridge and Malling Council had suggested charging to alleviate the problem of long-stay parking by work- ers in bays that could be used by shoppers. However, a steering group of councillors
opted to reduce the free time in the car park behind Tesco’s High Street store from four hours to three, and to try to provide
Cats in urgent need of homes ELEVEN cats are in desperate need of rehoming so the RSPCA can deep clean their cattery following a virus. A few cats at the RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre, near West Malling, suffered from calicivirus, whichcausesmouth soresandcold- like symptoms. Although they have all recovered, the charity cannot take in any more cats until the cattery has been disinfected, which can’t be donewith the 11 felines living there. Animal centre manager, Christine Dooley said: “Our veterinary sur-
geonshavepassed the cats aswellandfit toberehomed. They arenot a risk to other vaccinated cats. We would dearly love to find these cats homes as at the momentwe can’t take in newcats.” The cats include six-year-old Depp, who needs structure and rou-
tine, and Kitty Kat, a five-year-old black cat who has lost a leg. Formoredetails call the centreon03001230751or go to the cen- tre’s Facebook page.
troduce this parking charge. People with disabilities often have reduced incomes and a higher than average number of hospital appointments – it’s a double whammy. “It’s a further disappointment that the hospital chose not to consult with the forum before imposing these changes – we may have been able to reach a more equitable compromise.”
But town car park will stay free – for now
more free parking bays around the town. A further review is likely in six months,
after more consultation. The decision goes against the view of the borough’s planning and transportation di- rector Steve Humphrey, who said: “A mechanism of charging is themost efficient way of managing parking patterns, al- though I understand the cautious approach favoured by the steering group.”
Call for views on post office VILLAGERS at East Peckham have been asked for their views on the proposed trans- fer of their post office. Relocation of the branch from The Village
Store in Pound Road to a newsagent’s shop in Orchard Street would nearly double its opening hours, say Post Office regional
bosses.The move is scheduled for March.
Twinning tree vandalised THE French oak tree given by the people of Chereng to East Farleigh to mark the twin- ning of the two villages has been destroyed by vandals. Anyone who knows anything about this is asked to contact the council or the community warden.
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