Lorry drivers call for end to ban


ACOUNTYcouncillor has been driven round the houses – and the country lanes – in a bid to demonstrate the difficulties being faced by lorry drivers. Colin Goldup, managing di-


rector of Staplehurst Transits, offered to show borough and county Cllr Paulina Stockell first hand the impact that an ex- perimental 7.5 ton weight limit was having on their trade. The company’s trucks have driven through Collier Street and Yalding to Nettlestead and Paddock Wood for over 40 years, but the experimental 7.5 tonweight restriction means ve- hicles have to drive twice the distance, takingmore than twice the time, to PaddockWood. His son Darren Goldup drove


Cllr Stockell to Paddock Wood and back – and to August Pitts packhouse in Horsmonden – to demonstrate the difference be- tween the two routes. A seven-mile journey, which used to take 16 minutes, now


‘We’ve never had any problems’ BUSINESSES in Marden remain vocal in opposing the scheme and have met with the leader of Maidstone Council and cabinet member for eco- nomic development, Cllr Malcolm Greer, to air their grievances. Darren Goldup said: “We have been operating all these years, driving through Yalding, without any major problems. “The parish council is fuelling emotions by talking about Teston and


Farleigh bridges and single-track roads – which are just red herrings. This is purely and simply about vehicles passing through Yalding – via Collier Street – and Collier Street Parish Council did not have an issue with this. “The whole scheme is wrong.” Residents in Marden say the HGVs have simply diverted from tradi-


tional routes and nowimpact on their village centre instead. TheNFUis backing local farmers in Marden,whowere hard hit during the harvest, as is the Independent Fruit Growers Association.


takes 30 minutes and covers 12 miles. An eight-mile journey to Pad-


dock Wood via Yalding used to take 21 minutes. The revised route via Maidstone is 17 miles and takes 45 minutes. Mr Goldup said: “The most


direct – and sensible – route is clearly through Yalding.” The deadline is looming for


residents and businesses to voice their opinions on the ex- perimental scheme, imposed by KCC following years of cam- paigning by Yalding Parish Council and Cllr Stockell, whose member highway grant helped to pay for the necessary traffic signs. Cllr Stockell, who has been caught up in the crossfire be-


tween Marden and Yalding, is chairman of KCC’s highways cabinet committee and vice chairman of the Joint Transport Board, which will determine the issue in January. Letters for or against have to


be with KCC by noon on Thurs- day, November 7. Yalding Parish Council chairman Geral- dine Brown has been urging every individual towrite in – to the extent of sending a draft template letter they can print off, sign and post. A special post box has even


been placed inside Yalding Post Office to collect replies, if peo- ple do not wish to post them di- rectly to Kent Highways manager Andy Corcoran. “Without the support of the


local community, KCC officers may be persuaded that the scheme has been unsuccessful and, as such, they may recom- mend to members of the Joint Transport Board that it be with- drawn,” said Cllr Brown.


Villagers’ talents boost charity pot


Mike FitzGerald and Bob Radcliff with passengers on the train


Train journey a


learning curve A COMMENTARY train, invit- ing passengers to discover the history past and present along the Medway Valley Line, at- tracted more than 150 people. Bob Radcliffe of Kent Federa-


tion Amenity Society, enter- tained the guests who booked the special event through some of themost picturesque scenery inWest Kent. Everyone was given map of


the journey and notes on the progress of the railways over the years as they enjoyed re- freshments, including real ale served by members and fami- lies of the Kent Community Rail Partnership Line Group who organised the journey. Mike FitzGerald, chairman of


the Kent Community Rail Part- nership, said: “It was really re- warding to hear people saying what a superb afternoon it was, a trip they will long remember.”


New garden ASHLEY Bernhard and Bever- ley Clark have been given plan- ning permission to turn agricultural land in Rectory Lane, Sutton Valence, into a do- mestic garden. The scheme includes the erection of solar panels, deck- ing, sheds and a greenhouse.


ASUMMERof funat TheChequers, Laddingford, came to end with a trio of charity fundraising days. The annual fun flower and veg competition was well supported, butwith theflower entriesdownon the previous year, possibly due to the very hotweather this summer. The men’s homebake was once


again the most fiercely contested class with Iain Manklow’s picnic pies not only winning the men's homebake class but going on to sweep the board, winning theKen- naird Cup for Best overall Home- bake exhibit and the Chequers’ Rosebowl for best in show. He is pictured being presented with his trophies by AndrewStanley The children showed their usual creativity and came up with some greatanimal sculptures in the chil-


Drawings were displayed by the


pupils of Laddingford Primary School and the nominal £1 entry fees raised £271 for the school. The village annual conker com- petition attracted 32 adults and eight children to compete for this year's title. The children’s cham- pion was Ned Miller, with Graham Best winning the adult section. Atotal of£32was raised forKent Association for the Blind. Pumpkins also seemed to have


dren’s novelty class, the judges fi- nally settling on Isabell Buckfield as winner, taking the Flexitec Cup for best exhibit by a child. Isabell, from Marden, also won the chil- dren’s drawing class.


suffered at the hands of the weatherandat this year’s pumpkin weigh-in, the winner, grown by Richard and Maureen Barratt,was 71lbs7oz, slightly smaller than the largest in previous years. Olly and Phoebe Hill’s children’s


entry came in second place at 61lbs 4oz.


Anger over gypsy site decision


RESIDENTS in Laddingford have criticised a decision by Maidstone Council that will allow gypsies to remain on a site they occupied as squatters. Travelling families moved on


to Wind in the Willows, in Wagon Lane, more than 15 years ago, since when Maidstone Council has been involved in planning applications, appeals and eviction notices. At a recent planning appeal by gypsies on neighbouring Green Acres, which was still to be de- termined as DownsMailwent to press, it was revealed that the council granted a certificate of lawfulness (COL) toWind in the Willows on August 27. Earlier this year, the council refused occupants of The Sta- bles, also in Wagon Lane, per- mission to stay on the site. But


TimOrnellas and his neighbours inWillow Lane fear the decision will open the floodgates to a se- ries of consents. Wind in the Willows was


meant to have only seasonal oc- cupation after occupants were granted use of the site for their caravans from May 1 until Au- gust 31, during the late 1990s. However, the council decision means the caravans are now a year-round fixture. A previous appeal to allow six mobile homes to stay on Green Acres all year roundwas refused, and the latest appeal only in- volves moving the caravans and raising them above the ground. The applicant was hoping to


get temporary permission to stay on the site for four years. Mr Ornellas said: “Why did the council issue the COL just


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


before a hearing where it was trying to get the Green Acres ap- peal refused – given that Maid- stone Council had not granted their planning application? “The council has shot itself in


the foot and probably lost the GreenAcres appeal case, as I an- ticipate the inspector will allow the occupants to stay for at least another three years on the site.” A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “The council won a previous appeal for Green Acres. Its decision to refuse planning permission was upheld on grounds of harm to the ap- pearance of the site and risk of flooding. “The current appeal will be decided on these issues and it is unlikely the certificate granted for Wind in Willows will have much bearing on the matter.”


South 31


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