News
Take a trip on Orient Express
THE Belmond British Pullman from the world-famous Venice- Simplon Orient Express is to make an extra trip from Maidstone East station, due to overwhelming demand.
The Heart of Kent Hospice in
Aylesford had arranged to bring the prestigious train to the town this July to raise vital funds for the hospice, but the trip proved so popular that all the tickets sold out in just 14 days.
Now the fundraising team is lining up a second trip in September.
Richard Neville, event manager for the hospice, said: “Support for the train and the hospice has been so great that we felt it was right to offer those who missed out another opportunity to make the trip from Maidstone.”
The Downs Mail’s Dawn Kingsford boarded the train from London Victoria for a tour of the Surrey Hills. She said: “The train, the food and the service were amazing. I felt like royalty for the
day. It’s the ultimate, memorable treat for a special occasion.” Tickets for the railway journey in September are now on sale, priced £299 each. To reserve a place on the 220-seat train, call Richard Neville on 01622 790195 or send an email to
richard.neville@
hokh.co.uk. A £50 deposit will secure a place, with the balance due by Friday, June 5. The train will leave Maidstone East for the four-hour round trip, with four-course lunch, at midday on September 26.
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downsmail.co.uk £5.7m plan to ease traffic flow
WORKcosting £5.7m to ease congestion in the centre of Maidstone is set to begin in the first half of 2016 after approval of the scheme by county councillors. Cllr David Brazier, KCC’s cabinet member for highways,warned
the work could cause delays. Two traffic-light controlled lanes will be built east of the Med-
way so that Chatham-bound motorists can avoid the river bridge, which should cut journey times by 10%. The scheme, which does not require planning permission or the purchase of any land, is being funded by a £4.6m grant from the Government, with £1.1m from KCC. It is set for completion some time in 2017. The work is expected to ease congestion on the existing A229 gy-
ratory system and address an estimated 46% rise in traffic by 2026, according to Maidstone Council’s draft local plan. However, some concerns have been expressed about the new road arrangement’s provisions for pedestrians and cyclists.
Town centre manager
Bill leaves his role MAIDSTONE is to get a new town centre manager in April after the departure of Bill Moss.
Mr Moss (65) said his 13 years in the role had coincided with improvements in Maidstone and to its night-time economy, with bars, restaurants and retail outlets in areas such as Fremlin Walk. He now expects to spend more time volun-
teering with the Urban Blue Bus and as a trustee and helper at the Blackthorn Trust.
For more local news
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