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downsmail.co.uk ‘Shared space’ to ease traffic


ANinformal shared space could provide a solution to traffic congestion at the Wheatsheaf junction. This is one of the suggestions


made by campaign group South Maidstone Action for Roads and Transport (Smart) to ease vehicle movements along the A229 Loose Road between the Wheatsheaf pub (junction with the A274 Sutton Road) and the Linton crossroads (junction with the B2163 Heath Road). The shared space would be an in- formal road layout involving nei- ther traffic lights nor a roundabout. A shared space is in operation in Ashford, but Smart believes a bet- ter comparison is Poynton in Cheshire. Other ideas include:


 automatic traffic signals at the Cripple Street and Armstrong Road junctions;  a roundabout at Linton cross- roads;  new park and ride service to in- crease the use of the bus lane on Loose Road from the current 10 buses per hour;  a partial bus layby to replace bus stops near Cripple Street, Wheatsheaf Close and the Wheat- sheaf junction to allow vehicles to pass;  designation of the A229 as a public transport low emission route (similar to the A20 London


Backing for


bypass plan MAIDSTONE borough councillors arewarming to the idea of a bypass south-east ofMaidstone, according to Cllr David Burton. Cllr Burton, the cabinet member


for transport, told the meeting that the controversial link road issue had divided members of the coun- cil, but more were now coming round to the idea. “On balance, it now seems to have majority sup- port,” he said. “I am totally committed to it but


the issue is howwe fund it.Alot of councillors are totally behind hav- ing that road.” John Hughes, chairman of Cox-


heath Parish Council, was con- cerned that a new link road would simply encourage more traffic to travel through his village.


Speaking at a Town Hall event, Smart chairman Sean Carter said: “I make the following challenge to Maidstone Council and KCC: Come and talk to us because we have big traffic problems in south Maidstone.” The Wheatsheaf junction is 51%


above safe EU limits for air pollu- tion, according to a study. Mr Carter added: “Why aren’t we going to central Government and saying that we have a problem here?


Local councillors Susan Grigg and Derek Mortimer with Smart chairman Sean Carter (front centre). Back row: Smart members Peter Rigby, Alan Moore, David Fleck and David Southgate


Road), with all buses meeting high EU standards;  re-routing one No 89 bus per hour to go through Loose village;  the creation of a new southern relief road;  the widening of Brishing Lane, Park Wood;  re-positioning signs indicating the 7.5-tonneweight limit through Loose village;  the creation of 20mph zones in rural roads off Loose Road;  building new homes away from main roads;


 a new drop-off and pick-up point within the grounds of Loose Primary School;  car share schemes and more buses serving Cornwallis Acad- emy;  a new cycle route from Lancet Lane to Maidstone town centre;  an off-street parking require- ment of two vehicles for every new dwelling to reduce road ob- structions. Smart believes its suggestions are credible, cost-effective and will benefit the whole community.


“Central Government says it doesn’t have any money, so why isn’t it going to the EU for money? Instead of them spending money on olive trees in Italy, why don’twe get some money to help us? “Those solutions we have put


forward cost peanuts in present day terms. Let’s have a couple of laybys; let’s keep the traffic moving and make sure that if we are going to have another park and ride, it is in the right place or places.” Cllr Fran Wilson, leader of the


Lib Dem group, said: “I applaud Smart’s ideas but the question you should ask yourself is: would I use this myself? If the answer is ‘no’, how can you expect any other resi- dent to do it? You need to stick to that principle.”


Tackling congestion and pollution School looks


SMART was formed in early 2013 to address traffic and pollution issues between the Wheatsheaf pub and Linton crossroads. Its committee comprises local ward councillors Sue Grigg and Derek Mortimer, and representatives of Loose Parish Council, North Loose Residents’ Association, Valley Conservation Society and Loose Amenities Association.


Air quality ‘affecting health’


COUNCILLOR Derek Mortimer reported on a survey in which 38% of respondents along the Loose Road said they suffered from asthma. In addition, 31% suffered other problems related to air quality.


Local parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems, Jasper Gerard said he would get in touch with local doctors to see if official figures could be acquired.


FREE


A PROPOSAL for an estate of retire- ment bungalows in Langley has been reduced.


Last summer, Maidstone Council refused Rob Schroeder’s planning application for 50 retirement bunga- lows east of Green Lane, saying it was unsustainable, unsympathetic to listed buildings and would have posed a highway safety threat.


28 Maidstone South April 2015


Read all editions of the Downs Mail atwww.downsmail.co.uk


Mr Schroeder now proposes 40 units and insists that “no adjoining occupiers would unduly suffer in terms of outlook or amenity”. He has also submitted a transport state- ment proposing an access off Leeds Road and a new footpath. However, neighbour Emma Chif- fey said: “Langley does not have local services or infrastructure to


support this type of dwelling: no local shops or post office etc. “The current peaceful location will be disturbed from this number of dwellings in such a small area. There will be an increase in traffic for serv- ices to the residents, such as nurses, carers, meals on wheels, which will increase the noise, smells and gen- eral disturbance in the area.”


at road safety THE Cornwallis Academy could soon expand the range of goods in its tuck shop to reduce the risk of accidents. According to David Fleck, a


Smart member, pupilswere unable to get what they wanted from the on-site shop so were walking to shops across busy main roads. He said the academy’s principal


David Simons was open to includ- ing more products once a planned change in legislation allowed it. The meeting also heard the acad-


emy’s cycle standswere grossly un- derused. Jim Andrew, from Loose Parish Council, claimed on one oc- casion only five cycles were using facilities that had capacity for 120. “There needs to be more of a cy- cling culture there,” he said.


Retirement bungalows scheme downsized Pool proposal


THE owner of Ely Court in Goud- hurst Road, Staplehurst has applied for an outside swimming pool with changing rooms. Maidstone Council will decide.


Conifers face axe


CONSERVATION area consent was granted to remove 14 conifers in Bridge Manor, Salts Lane, Loose.


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