downsmail.co.uk
Pupils forced to use road as gate is locked
CHILDREN from Sutton Valence Primary School had a police escort to and from their end-of-term church service after a short cut used safely for years was deemed to be unsuitable. Some 200 pupils from the school
–manywearing hi-visibility jackets –were led crocodile-fashion to and from the service at St Mary’s Church in Chart Road by police and members of staff and traffic was halted to let the convoy pass. The incident highlighted what
has become an ongoing battle be- tween the school and a group of parents fighting to have a locked gate re-opened for their children. The affected group of children
live on the western side of Sutton Valence and the A274, on or around Chart Road. Until recently, they got to school using a public footpath on the Greensand Way to the lower school gate, next to the Hilltop Garage. The routewas also used for children attending services at the village church. After an assessment by KCC, the school’s governors decided the gate
Police escort children from Sutton Valence Primary School to church
should be closed. Parent Dan Ginns, whose two daughters attend the school, said: “The rationalewas that the pavement leading to the gate was not wide enough for peo- ple delivering children to school, andwaiting by the gate.” Mr Ginns, who lives on Chart
Road, said: “It used to be a lovely walk along the public footpath, across the field, to school – and it was perfectly safe for the children, who had to negotiate about 10 yards of road with a narrow path. “Now, residents of Chart Road
have to walk the length of Chart Road to the A274 and crossing this road west to east, where looking uphill presents a largely blind cor-
ner and with reduced visibility to downhill approaching cars. “Chart Road itself has no pave-
ments. It’s far more dangerous.” KCC carried out a safety audit
last month but concluded the gate should remain closed. It says the steps are unsuitable for pushchair access. Parents are now speaking to the parish council to have the speed assessed at the crossing point. A KCC spokeswoman said:
“KCC has carried out an inspecion of the access gates and found one of the gates is not safe to use. “It has recommended the gate be
closed and not used again. Acting on this professional advice the school will not be using the gate.”
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is submied ACHEESE-making business is seeking permission to remain at its base in Staplehurst. In 2009 Mr and Mrs Reynolds decided to use some of the milk produced at Iden Manor Farm in Cranbrook Road to create cheese. Initially they made one type
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