News
downsmail.co.uk Road rage over developer input
KENT County Council’s transport assessments for house building in Maidstone are based on statistics provided by … the developers themselves. This startling factwas unearthed
by the borough’s Lib Dems, while fighting proposals for a further 19,600 homes in Maidstone bor- ough between 2011 and 2031. In the past, KCC carried out ve-
hicle counts on roads across the county – the Kent Traffic Counts programme – but this was scrapped in 2011. Since then, the county has relied
on figures commissioned by house builders themselves – in one exam- ple Land Securities commissioned
its own transport survey in support of its unsuccessful plan to rede- velop Newnham Court. Cllr Ian Chittenden said: “These companies could save on the cost of road improvements – such as wider roads and roundabouts – by sup- plying lower vehicle numbers, which clearly makes this a conflict of interest. “If, after the building takes place,
the numbers turn out to be too low, there will be increased congestion – creating a cost which will have to be met by the taxpayer.” In March, KCC’s cabinet member
for transport and highways Cllr David Brazier told Cllr Chittenden that KCC was able to commission
its own independent transport con- sultants to check information pro- vided, but this was increasingly limited due to cash cutbacks. Cllr Chittenden said: “We have
raised serious questions about traf- fic figures reported by developers for a 220-home scheme in Boughton Lane. While KCC ques- tioned the validity of the develop- ers’ report, it does not have the resources to make a proper judg- ment.” Cllr Chittenden said he would
like to see the Kent Traffic Counts programme reinstated. “We are now facing the possibil-
ity of having to provide 19,600 new homes in Maidstone – with little
money for road improvements to relieve congestion and pollution.” Cllr Brazier said: “KCC can ask
our independent traffic consultants to check developers’ datasets. This requires financial resources from KCC, so this practice is not fol- lowed for all situations. “Otherwise, KCC has the expert-
ise and local traffic knowledge to sense check the datasets and as- sumptions. “The data collection report should show whether the data has been collected by a competent sur- vey company, when the data was collected, what were the weather and traffic (incidents) conditions at that time.”
Bequest buys lunch for support group friends Choral concert
TEN members of the Maidstone Prostate Cancer Support Group enjoyed lunch at Fredericks Bistro, paid for by their late friend PeterWard who died in December after a long and brave fight against the disease. Peter left £500 in his will for his friends at the group who
had given him so much support and comfort, so they could have a meal on him. Before the meal the group held a minute's silence while they reflected on his life. The group members wish to thank all the staff and doc-
tors at Maidstone Hospital for the unstinting support they gave Peter.
Your child’s future starts here...
Est. 1989
Day Nursery School Nursery School
Out of School Holiday Club & Holiday Club Places now available
Linden Lea Day Nursery School Ofsted grading of outstanding in all areas take children from 3 months old from 8am - 6pm. Call... 01622 735094 for details or arrange a visit.
LINDEN LEA NURSERY SCHOOL Based in the lounge of Downswood Community centre from 9am-1pm (term time only) for 2-5 year olds. Please call 01622 735094.
Free childcare available at both nurseries for 2 & 3 year olds.
LINDEN LEA OUT OF SCHOOL CLUB PICK UP FROM:
Madginford, Roseacre, Thurnham & St Johns. Holiday Club bookings now being taken for summer holidays for 4-14 year olds. Please call 07947 817766 for details.
14
www.lindenleachildcare.co.uk Maidstone East July 2014
Fully qualified Staff providing excellent care and education
ff p
01622 735094 Weavering St
Maidstone Kent ME14 5JR
Part of the ‘FREE for 2 scheme’ (off’ (offering funded places for eligible 2 year olds)
Fully funded spaces for 3 & 4 year olds Safe & secure free-flow garden Large onsite car park
ybes@gmail
8.45am - 12.30pm (Term time)
For further information or to view the pre-school call Amanda Wesson 07944 275 459
E:
spbusybes@gmail.com wwwbusybees@stpetersbusybees.org.uk tersbus son
Mon, Tue, Thur & Fri
Open
3 months to Pre-School
Home to Home Environment
BEARSTEDChoral Society presents Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at Holy Cross Church on Saturday, July 19. The concert at 7.30pm will be con- ducted by Peter Ashley. The soloists will be soprano Jennifer Walker, tenor Robin Green and baritone Arthur Coomber. Tickets are £10, and £5 for stu-
dents and children from the ticket secretary on 01634 666730, BCS members or on the door. Details at
www.bearstedchoral.org.uk.
Tiny Tots Nursery School
Est.1969 • OFSTED Inspected Tel: 736270 / 630001
SCHOOL HOURS
Memorial Hall, Manor Rise, Bearsted ME14 4DB Weekday Mornings
9.15 to 12.30 for children 2to 5 years of age Teeny Tiny Tots
A very successful parent and child group. Grandparents welcome too!
Wednesday afternoon 1.30pm - 3.30pm for children 0 to 2years. (Term time only)
also
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64