Euro support for 20mph campaign


A MEMBER of the European parliament has backed the cam- paign for blanket 20mph zones outside schools in Maidstone. The “20's Plenty” campaign – orchestrated by Harrietsham parish Cllr Janetta Sams and husband, borough Cllr Tom Sams – has the backing of a 1,000-name petition. Kent High- way Services says a blanket 20mph limit outside all schools would be inappropriate but local councillors have urged ac- tion before a child dies. MEP Keith Taylor, who covers


south-east England and is the Green Party member responsi- ble for road safety issues on the European Parliament's Trans- port Committee, has sent a let- ter to Kent Chef Cnstable Ian


ment's advice on 20mph zone is also very clear. “I can't think of anything


more reasonable than reducing the speed limits around schools, yet there seems to be little enthusiasm to do this de- spite the overwhelming sup- port of local people.” Recently, Cllr Mrs Sams


spoke passionately on the issue to the Maidstone Joint Trans- portation Board. Cllr Sams said: "People don't


Keith Taylor MEP with Cllr Tom Sams, Janetta Sams, Lenham Parish Council chairman Nigel Godfreyand Stuart Jefferyfrom Maidstone Green Party, outside Lenham Primary School.


Learmonth calling for him to back the idea. He said: “Both Oxford and Portsmouth have shown that


THE Finches touring caravan and camping park in Chartway Street, Kingswood, may become a year-round enterprise, under new plans. In June 2009, applicant Rob Schroeder was


given permission to increase the number of cara- van pitches from 10 to 20, on condition that the site is not open for business between November 1 and December 31. Mr Schroeder now wants to lift the condition to enable occupation throughout the year. His de- sign statement said: “This condition is considered to be unreasonable given the current economic climate and the potential need for all-year camp- ing and caravanning facilities.” He noted that the condition relates to a policy


20mph residential streets re- duce the speed of traffic with- out the need for other traffic calming measures. The Govern-


Kingswood caravan site could be occupied all year


thatis ‘usually’ applied. “This therefore suggests that the policy can be interpreted to permit a re- laxation of the two-month closure. “Control over length of stay and eliminating the possibility of permanent residence can be achieved by occupiers providing validated docu- mentary evidence confirming that they also main- tain a primary residence elsewhere.” The correspondence goes on to state that, if Maidstone Council accepts the application, the site would then become a “valuable tourist facil- ity in the area in parallel with the Caravan Club sites in Hollingbourne and Goudhurst”. Mr Schroeder has also applied to station a mo- bile home for the use of a full-time warden.


want these crashes. People have said we don't want to be putting down flowers.We don't want flowers, then a 20 limit and a slow-down.We want the slow-down first.” Cllr Sams accepted there would be a cost but added: "It's a small cost and a lot smaller than an injury and death." Cllr David Marchant


(Downswood) said: “I’m always concerned when we look at the so-called accident rate, ie the fatal accidents, and then con- sider some action. I don’t think we are being proactive. “I really do believe that 20


limits at many schools we are talking about could assist, and we get there before someone is fatally injured,” he added. A police spokesman said it


was the police’s duty to enforce speed limits but it does not set them.


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