Questions over
pollution levels QUESTIONS are to be tabled in the European Parliament about pollution in Maidstone. MEP Catherine Bearder vis-
ited the town to see the prob- lems for herself, particularly at the Wheatsheaf junction in Loose. Jasper Gerard, Lib Dem par- liamentary campaigner, sent pollution readings to Brussels revealing several pollution “choke spots” where air quality is below EU standards. Readings from Maidstone Council show that in Upper Stone Street pollution would need to be cut by 89% to con- form to EU standards. At the Wheatsheaf junction it would need to be reduced by 51% and in the High Street by 43%. The South East MEP later ad- dressed ameeting at the Y Cen- tre, Loose. It was chaired by Sean Carter, of SMART, the group looking for solutions to the congestion problems in south Maidstone. Loose Cllr Sue Grigg said: “If
you build vast numbers of houses in the south of Maid- stone and the villages beyond, all the traffic will have to come through the Wheatsheaf. I hope Catherine Bearder will put pressure on the council to take action, for instance by looking again at park and ride.”
Good neighbours step in to help
CHARITY begins at home, ac- cording to a new group of kind- spirited locals from Loose. Almost a dozen have volun-
teered to become Loose Neigh- bours, offering help to the elderly, less mobile and alone. Chris Lack, from Linton Road,
has lived in the village 15 years and explained the concept be- hind the good neighbours’ scheme. He said: “Particularly during
the winter, it’s clear that some people struggle to get out while the rest of us are active and would be happy to pick things
up or take people to an appoint- ment. It’s about putting that en- thusiasm to good use.” Loose Neighbours hope their
free scheme will run along the same lines as one being run suc- cessfully in Horsmonden. Mr Lack said: “We have been
told there is a need for such a scheme in Loose, but until we go live, we won’t get a true pic- ture of what’s needed.” The group hopes to help with shopping, sorting out bills and running errands like taking li- brary books back or taking peo- ple to hospital. The group will
also be able to spot those in need of more specialist care. The Loose Neighbours scheme has won the backing of the parish council, and a grant from its amenities association and the county council to pub- licise its serviceswhen the serv- ice goes live in the new year. Mr Lack said: “We’re all very enthusiastic about the concept. We have 10 volunteers, so we won’t be calling on the same people, but if it does take off I am confident we will be able to find more helpers in the vil- lage.”
Lights go out SOME late night lighting will be switched off across Maid- stone from June, in a pilot scheme to cut the county coun- cil’s £6.4m electricity bill. The year-long trialwill see se-
Boost to air ambulance
MEMBERS of Maidstone MG Owners Club presented a cheque for £1,000 to the Kent Air Ambulance. The money was raised at a fly drive event, jointly organised with the
Kent Gliding Club, based in
Charing.Alarge number of classic cars of all makeswere present, and their ownerswere able to enjoy the facilities of the Kent Gliding Club, taking flights andwatching flying displays. Amy, of the KAA, is pictured left receiving the cheque from Roger Henbest, secretary of the MaidstoneMG Owners Club.
lected “unnecessary” lights switched off from 1am to 6.30am and from midnight to 5am in the winter. The county council hopes the
move will slice £1m off its en- ergy costs. The trial was backed by 75%
of residents during a recent public consultation. The trial was started in the borough in December in the Malling area. To comment, visit
www.kent.gov.uk/streetlights.
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