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downsmail.co.uk School taxi explodes in flames
A SOCIAL worker from Lenham has called for more safety checkson vehicles used to take children to school after a private taxi “ex- ploded” moments before its first pick-up in the village. Ana Olea Fernandez (pictured)
has written to both KCC and Ofsted about her concerns after the incident in Lenham, where the engine of a Streamline taxi – contracted byKCC to run severely disabled children to school – exploded in flames. Two other cars were destroyed and a third damaged in the blaze. MsOlea,wholives in Foord Road,
where the incident happened, re- ported the case after being told the taxi driver had complained of smoke coming from the car engine sev- eral days before. Ms Olea (left),
a social worker, said: “It seems it was only a happy coinci- dence that the engine exploded
when no childwas in the vehicle. “I would expect KCC to have a rigorous system to ensure whoever
maintains the vehicle fleet used in school runs has children’s safety as its priority.” But in an email from KCC’s client transport manager, Shane Bushell, she was told: “KCC is not the regu- latory body for vehicle compliance and as the contract had not com- menced,we cannot take any action.” A spokesman for Streamline de-
nied any problem with the vehicle. Director Ron Parker said: “The
events surrounding the incident have been investigated internally and externally and the findings have been reported to the appropriate
bodies concerned, including our in- surers.” Hewent on to say an investigation
had failed to find any evidence of the vehicle not being sound. In fact, he added, the vehicle passed its MOT thatweek. ButMsOlea maintains the county council should have asked for fur- ther details of vehicle maintenance checks and records of any previous problems. She added: “No real action has
been taken by KCC to ensure that children’s safety is better safe- guarded in future.”
Coffee shop at hospital ‘No budget to tackle parking’
COSTA Coffee is planning to open a new branch in Maidstone Hospital in the spring. The chain will replace a store room if a proposal is approved by Maidstone Council. The reception desk would be moved, as would the toilet facili-
ties, with the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends getting a larger shop. A supporting statement said: “The proposal will allow for en- hancedWCfacilities for patients and visitors within a significantly less busy area away from the main hospital street. “Furthermore, the relocation of these facilities will allow for a
new convenient shop to inhabit the vacant space, which will bring in increased revenue for the trust.”
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22 Maidstone East January 2015
DANGEROUS parking is unlikely to be tackled by dedicated police offi- cers,West Kent divisional commander Steve Corbishley has said. An attendee of the Maidstone and District NeighbourhoodWatchAGM
said parked vehicles on the A229 close to the traffic lights at the Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junctionswere causing a safety hazard. Chief Supt Corbishley said hewas “between a rock and a hard place” be-
cause budget constraints would not allow for the deployment of officers on trouble spots to pinpoint offenders. Instead, he assured that any police of- ficers who encountered dangerous parking would act on it.
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