News
Videos highlight traffic misery at village bridge
VILLAGERS behind a series of “video nasties” are hoping their on- line efforts will persuade road and rail chiefs to end the misery of their rail crossing congestion. According to a parish council
study in 2012, more than 6,000 vehi- cles cross the Grade I listed bridge in East Farleigh each day – despite the queues at the single-track bridge. Problems are exacerbated by the proximity of the level crossing, which can see the road being closed as often as every 15 minutes. Sometimes traffic stretches back
half a mile to the top of Station Hill at its junction with Lower Road. Drivers who block the bridge are
also putting lives at risk by hinder- ing emergency services, say resi- dents. They have now created a Facebook page – The Rage on East Farleigh Bridge – with daily uploads of queues and examples of shouting and swearing. Sarah Hobbs,wholives next to the bridge, says she has seen people get out of their cars and fight when oth- ers refuse to reverse, while neigh- bour Jeff Leahy has been punched
average of 6,580 of cars every day to travel over it with no traffic manage- ment in place whatsoever ... thus al- lowing road rage and unharmonious behaviour. “Requests for a traffic manage-
Sarah Hobbs at the bridge
by a driver who refused to budge. Mrs Hobbs thinks traffic lights should be installed, while Mr Leahy would prefer to see a one-way sys- tem linking East Farleigh andTeston bridges. KCC studies accident history of a
site when deciding road improve- ments. Any request must also have the support of a local councillor. Mrs Hobbs said: “East Farleigh
Bridgewas built in the 14th century and is considered to be one of the oldest in Kent. It is not particularly suitable for modern traffic condi- tions, owing to its narrowness, yet the authorities continue to allow an
ment system are discussed, debated ... long, laborious, pointless, time- wasting discussions at countless meetings to then be finally ignored. This issue causes so much stress for commuters, residents, school par- ents, police and other emergency services.” Mrs Hobbs says that more than
1,000 cars can be queueing either side of the bridge at peak times. She said: “I will continue to post
videos of people shouting and screaming, swearing and using threatening behaviour on the bridge as I understand their plight com- pletely.” Mrs Hobbs is now looking at how
other parishes – and, in particular, Aylesford – have dealt with similar problems. She added: “Aylesford has a bridge with exactly the same rail crossing as ours and has free flowing traffic without stress.”
downsmail.co.uk
Fees removed KENT Libraries has removed the 35p reservation fee for borrowing books, CDs and DVDs. Last year, Kent Libraries rolled
out a courtesy email service for cus- tomers reminding them to return or renew borrowed items before in- curring fines for overdue books. Some charges will apply for re- quested items not held in stock.
Charity shave PUB regular John Griffiths raised £140 by shaving his head. John, from Lees Road, Ladding-
ford,waved farewell to his locks in The Chequers, Laddingford, where barmaid and hairdresser Jessica Foulkes gave him a close shave to raise funds for Elimu, which aims to educate children in Kenya. To donate, go to
www.elimu.ca
Salon still open A HAIR salon in Yalding remains open after planning permission was granted to convert it into a home.
Elaine Collins, who manages
Eden Hair and Beauty Centre in Vicarage Road, says the shop is still trading. “The planning permission has made no difference.We are ac- tually expanding, having recruited a new stylist,” she said.
01622 902005 6 Maidstone South April 2015
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