News
‘Give elderly own parking’
LOCALMPHelen Grant is to take up the plight of older people who have problemswith car parking. Although most public car parks
and supermarkets now make wider spaces available for mothers with toddlers and the disabled, not all older people are disabled – but still need more space to get in and out of their cars. The Maidstone and Weald MP
was spurred into action by a letter from a lady in Vinter’s Park, who said: “We are not disabled, just pensioners. Most pensioners need a bit of extra space to get in and out of a car. I personally have to open the door fully, so as to swing both legs out and get both feet on the ground before standing up. “Some ofmy neighbours, need a
hand to get from a seated position, especially in a car, to a standing one.” The writer admitted that she
often used the parent and child bays in supermarket car parks where spaceswere tight.However, she has been on the receiving end
of ‘flak’ from some parents. “I was thinking that carrying a badge which said 'I am a pensioner and need extra room to exit my car, thank you for understanding' per- haps would help,” she added. The MP has already spoken with
Tesco in Tovil and Sainsburys in Romney Place and is in touch with Age UK and the local authorities. Neither Sainsburys nor Tesco said it would tackle the issue. However, Mrs Grant wants to
hear from anyone who experiences problems and said: “If there is ap- petite for change then we should see to it that something is done.” The MP can be contacted by post
at her constituency office at Maid- stone East Station Forecourt, Sta- tion Road, Maidstone, ME14 1QN, or are able to send an email to
helen.grant.mp@
parliament.uk
Do you think the elderly should have their own dedicated wide parking spaces? Contact the Downs Mail editor by post or on
stephen@downsmail.co.uk
THE chairman of Bearsted Parish Council admitted he would have to “take a bit of flak” for going against the recommendation of the group he represents. Cllr Richard Ash is also a mem-
ber of Maidstone Council’s plan- ning committee and decided to vote in favour of a proposal to cre- ate first floor and rear extensions and a garage to help establish a pair of semi-detached houses at 7 CavendishWay, Bearsted. However, an objectionwas raised
by the parish council, represented by Les Ethridge, who told the com- mittee that the schemewould be an over-development, out of keeping with the existing dwelling and
Church concert
ST MARY and All Saints’ Church in Boxley received almost £400 from a concert by clarinet, saxo- phone and recorder players from Medway Towns Music Centre.
Road closure
SANDWAY Road, Harrietsham will be closed on December 8while a manhole cover is re-set by Kent Highway Services. There will be no access for through traffic between East Street and Runham Lane.
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downsmail.co.uk Parish chairman expects ‘flak’
harm the amenities of neighbours at 5 and 9 CavendishWay. Cllr Ash thought otherwise. He
said: “The parish council’s objec- tion was not unanimous; it was a majority decision. The two neigh- bouring residents have not written in expressing their concerns. This is not a massive overdevelopment; there are extensive back gardens so this is not a small site. I amsorry, I shall take a bit of flak but Iwill not support Bearsted Parish Council.” Cllr Clive English, chairman of
the committee, joked sarcastically: “It’s unusual for a Bearsted parish councillor to take a bit of flak!” The schemewas accepted, with 10 votes for and two against.
Youth vote calls
PETER Homewood, chairman of KCC, is to write to the Prime Min- ister urging him to introduce legis- lation to lower the voting age to 16. A motion was proposed by Lib
Dem member Cllr Brian Clark and seconded by Cllr Rob Bird. KCC has its own Kent youth county council (KYCC) wheremem- bers represent young people in their area, voice their opinions and help to bring about change. Fifty-six councillors voted in
favour of writing to the PM, 17were against and four abstained.
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