downsmail.co.uk
News
‘Simpleways’ to cut congestion
A TRANSPORT campaign group says “simple things” could be done to help address congestion south of Maidstone. Sean Carter, chairman of South Maidstone Action for Roads and Traffic (Smart), whichwas set up in 2013, told Maidstone’s Joint Trans- portation Board (JTB) that a south- east link road is the only long-term solution to the gridlock likely to occur in and around Loose Road when hundreds of homes are built in the area in the next few years. However, he told the JTB of some prosaic measures to improve the sit- uation in Loose Road in the mean- time. He said: “There are 2,000 vehicles an hour using the Boughton Lane/Cripple Street junc- tion, coming out of country lanes and onto the main road. “Buses create queues and at the Armstrong Road traffic lights,when the bus stops everything else stops behind it so motorists have the frus- tration of seeing green lights but not being able to move “Asolution is to create a half layby opposite The Swan pub so traffic can get past and to move the Arm-
strong Road bus stop to the other side of the traffic lights, where you have two lanes. These are simple things not costingmuchmoney, but they would keep traffic flowing.” Smart consists of members of
LooseParish Council, LooseAmeni- ties Association, North Loose Resi- dents Association and the Valley Conservation Society, aswell as bor- ough councillors Susan Grigg and Derek Mortimer. Cllr Mortimer said: “One of the
main aims is to improve air quality. The Wheatsheaf junction is 50% above recommended EU levels for pollution. “We gave a survey to 150 homes
along Loose Road and there are a lot of people who use an inhaler. We can’t connect this to air quality, but it is interesting how many people have breathing problems there.” Cllr Annabelle Blackmore, the
leader of Maidstone Council, told Mr Carter: “These ideas are on the radar but it is about including them without derailing other projects. Your comments have been taken on board. ”
Sports award for gymnast
A SUTTONValence gymnast has been granted a £1,250 SportsAid award. Sam Mostowfi (12), from Warmlake Road, was one of two boys from
PegasusGymClub, Tovil, nominated by British Gymnastics for companies to invest in a sports funding award. Sam, who attends Sutton Valence School, was warned it could take up to a year to obtain sponsorship – but re- ceived it within weeks. He was in Lon- don to pick up the award, courtesy of Bank of New York Mellon. The award will help Sam with the
cost of his sporting involvement in the coming year. Former recipients of the award include Sir Chris Hoy, Ellie Sim- monds, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Tom Daley and Dame Sarah Storey. Sam’s family moved to Maidstone
two years ago, so Sam could pursue his gymnastic career with Pegasus. The youngster took up gymnastics at the age of four and has been hooked ever since. He trains up to 28 hours a week and competes all over the UK.
Farm shop can be extended
PLANNING permission has been granted for the extension of a farm shop in Staplehurst. In May 2014, Maidstone Council refused an application by Geoffrey Kite to double the retail space at Henhurst Farm Shop in Pinnock Lane because it was felt it would have harmed the open countryside. However, the council changed its
mind and allowed a resubmitted proposal after receiving a number of letters in support.
Jane Collins wrote:“We have been shopping at the farm shop since it opened and have noticed that the in- crease in custom and the increase in the products that are now available has made the store a lot more cramped. “We have seen the village change dramatically with the building of hundreds of houses. With this in mind, Henhurst Farm shop is a much needed facility for the vil- lage.”
Workshop for Custom Gates Ch ll F Challeng Eat, Smile and Tal Laboratory On-Site
Metal & Flexi & Implant Dentures Teeth Addition to Existing Dentures Cosmetic Denture Facelifts Highest Quality Materials Used
ty Excellent Aft ftercare Service A ures loose & uncomfo fort able? We can help
D Ma
idstone enture
lk with Confidence...
EXPRESS 1Hour Denture Repair New Bespoke Dentures FREE Initial Consultation
ultation
8 King Street, ME14 1BH
maidstonedenturestudio.co.uk
Challenge Fen Treat your Garden to a
Challenge Fencing TIMBER FENCING
Fencing FENC
CING GATES Make-Over
Over 60? Every Tues 10% off 1st for Choice, Quality & Service
Fence Panels Trellis & Lattice Post & Rail Decking Sheds Gates
Sleepers
Livestock fencing Concrete
Arches & Arbours Garden Furniture
01622 296 313
Workshop for M2M sizes ME15 9BJ
www.challengefencing.com Maidstone South March 2015
5
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