News


downsmail.co.uk Plan to reunite ‘divided’ town


PLANS to “reunite” the two sides of Maidstone divided by the county town’s own “Berlin Wall” could hinge on money coming from Brussels. Cllr Fran Wilson would like to


see town planners come up with an innovative scheme to unite the town east andwest of the Medway, removing part of the “concrete jun- gle” which exists around the town centre’s bridge gyratory system. Maidstone’s Lib Dem group


leader told the town’s Joint Trans- portation Board that few used the subway pedestrian crossings and the air quality was “dire” in the centre of town, where therewas lit-


tle or no greenery and foliage. While she still had reservations


about the widening of the gyratory system between St Peter Street and Fairmeadow, she added: “We have been talking about it for a long time and we have the chance to do something really exciting here if we do not just look at it in terms of lorries and cars.” Referring to the subway system


that forms part of the gyratory, she said: “We have almost a ‘Berlin Wall’ dividing the town in two.We have what passes as a brilliant flood catchment area but is worse than useless for pedestrian use. “I understand that there is EU


money available if we were to come up with something innova- tive – and this is our chance. “We need to raise our eyes above


lorry and car use and come up with something to reunite the two sides of the river and make it easy for pedestrians to cross what will be an even wider road. “Let’s lift our eyes up to the stars


and we might reach the moon. If we keep our eyes fixed on the con- crete and mud, that is where we will stay.” County Cllr Rob Bird echoed her sentiments and said: “There is a lot of merit in this scheme, but it could be so much better. The subways are


More room for fun at pre-school


YOUNGSTERS at Hollingbourne Pre-School have been enjoying a new play area this summer. Stalls at the village fete and sponsored walks helped raise the money for the extension to the play area, which opened in July at the pre-school at the Cardwell Pavilion. The outdoor space includes a mud kitchen and sand pit and


plenty of room for youngsters, aged two to four, to ride their bikes and scooters. Amanda Outen, secretary of the pre-school committee, which or- ganised the fund-raising activities, said: “The children had a great time with balloons and lollipops to celebrate the opening of the new extended play area. “Pre-school manager Christine


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Judges, her staff, and the commit- tee, are extremely grateful for the support and generosity of the fam- ilies and friends of the children who, for the past two years, have helped to make this happen.” She said further fund-raising will


be organised to buy equipment and resurface the play area while the sponsored walk now looks set to become an annual event.


More room to play in Hollingbourne


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not fit for purpose – hardly any pedestrians use them – so why do we pretend they have any value, when they quite clearly do not. “Broadway likewise has wide footpaths on both sides which are hardly used.” KCC leader Paul Carter said he


feared European money would be a long time coming and the coun- cil should look towards funds from the redevelopment of the Power- hub.


But, with planning permission


only at outline stage and no named supermarket yet in the frame for fi- nancing the improvements, this too could be some way off.


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