News
downsmail.co.uk Signs ‘leading drivers wrongway’
A MAIDSTONE pensioner is call- ing for changes to misleading road signs directing motorists to the Lockmeadow Entertainment Cen- tre in Barker Road, Maidstone. Carlo Attubato
(79), of Tovil Road, contacted KCC after his friend from Sta- plehurst turned up late for their meeting at the Maidstone
Market because the signs took him away from the complex. For vehicles entering the town
centre gyratory system from the south, an incorrect sign in College Road states that Lockmeadow traffic should follow signs to the M20. About 100m further on, in Bishop’sWay, a sign instructs M20 traffic to use the central and right lanes. But just as the junction with Broadway approaches, another sign
Traffic study
iswelcomed KCC is to carry out a study of the A229 from Maidstone to Cripple Street to see if capacity problems can be alleviated. Using funds from the local growth fund, the council intends to carry out the study over the next six months, looking at areas which have caused most concern in recent years.
These include:
• traffic flows into Sheals Crescent; • junction of Armstrong Road with Loose Road and ParkWay; • Wheatsheaf junction; • Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junction. The study will also consider relo-
cating a number of bus stops along with the route. Cllr Fran Wilson said that while
shewas delighted with news of the study, she felt it should encompass the entire length of Upper Stone Street, Sheals Crescent and College Road, as the one-way system played an important part in the traffic flows which left the town by the A229. The Smart group has already looked at some of the areas and its findings will be considered as part of the study.
Office conversion
A PLAN has been submitted to create 34 one- and two-bedroom flats at offices in Link House, Knightrider Street, Maidstone. Maidstone Council will decide whether the scheme can be given the go-ahead as a permitted devel- opment, which would not require planning permission.
10 Maidstone Town May 2015
tells Lockmeadow traffic to turn left across the town bridge, forcing vehi- cleswanting to visit the complex into a last-minute and potentially dan- gerous swing into the left lane. Carlo’s friend failed to see the final
sign, in Bishop’s Way, so travelled towards theM20before realising his error at Springfield. He was unable to find Lockmeadow so parked in the Fremlin Walk car park from where he walked to the market, ar- riving late. Had he seen the final sign he
would have had to make the drastic change of lane. Carlo said: “The first sign should
say: ‘For Lockmeadow follow the A26’ but instead it tells you to follow the M20. This is a very misleading sign – I would like to cover it up!” Cllr Clive English, ward member
for High Street, said he has passed on the issue to KCC.
Burglar jailed after stealing hero’s medals
A BURGLAR who stole medals be- longing to the family of a late World War II veteran has been jailed for 18 months. Bradley Richmond (20), of no
fixed abode, took the military deco- rations during a raid of a house in Penenden Heath, Maidstone. He also stole a large quantity of
jewellery as well as a laptop, a portable media player, bank cards and numerous other possessions. Richmond (pictured)was arrested
several days later in Folkestone after items taken in the burglary were found in a flat where hewas living. He admitted the offence and also
asked for three other burglaries in Snodland and Maidstone to be taken into consideration. DC Raj Dusanjh said: “Richmond claimed he was tired of looking for work and had turned to burglary as an easy way to earn some money, which just goes to show how selfish his actionswere.
“Burglary is a terrible crime that
leaves a long-lasting impact on vic- tims, but Richmond spared no thought for those whose homes he ransacked for hisownpersonal ben- efit.
“Fortunately the war medals and
other possessions he stole were re- turned to their rightful owners, and I hope the sentencing imposed on Richmond is of some additional comfort to them.”
THERAF’S aerobatic team,TheRedArrows, will be one of the highlights of this year’s Kent County Show, on July 10, 11 and 12. The Red Arrows will be the star attraction on the opening day at the showground at Detling. The Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch Activity Ride will perform
every day and visitors will also be able to see the brave and fearless horses at The Heavy HorseVillage, part of the equine section. KevinAttwood, Kent CountyAgricultural Society chairman said: “An-
other one of the big attractions will be the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar Spitfire display, which is always a crowd pleaser.” Also returning to the show will be Titan the Robot, the pole-climbing championships, the sheep show, rural craft demonstrations, live music and interactive displays. In addition, the show will offer free donkey rides and a free circus workshop on all three days. The show opens from 8am to 6pm, with more than 120 different activ- ities, workshops, displays and competitions. Tickets are on sale online.
Block of flats
proposed AFOUR-STOREY block containing 14 flats could be built at 19-21 Al- bion Place, Maidstone. The proposal includes two one- bedroom flats on the ground floor, with four one-bedroom flats on each of the floors above. Twelve parking spaces are proposed. A supporting statement said:
“The proposal sits close to the pub- lic thoroughfare of Queen Anne Road but allows sufficient space to replicate a semi-public zone for general access and hard/soft land- scaping similar to that of the exist- ing properties along Queen Anne Road (numbers 5 to 9, for example). “The height has been set at a level
lower than the NFU and similar to 19-21 Albion Place and Friars Court opposite. The strategy creates a ‘bookend’ arrangement for the overall site and a potential stepping stone for future developments down towards the smaller residen- tial terrace at the southern end of Queen Anne Road.” Maidstone Council will decide.
Red Arrows at county show Cafe objections
AN application for a cafe on the junction of Tonbridge Road with Fant Lane, Fant has been refused. Eighteen objections were raised
to a proposal to convert a former insurance brokers' office – previ- ously Francis Townsend & Hay- ward – into a restaurant. Concerns were raised mainly
about more traffic in a potentially dangerous spot on a busy junction. However, Maidstone Council re- fused on the grounds of increased noise affecting neighbour amenity and a sidewall ruining the appear- ance of the area.
Left: This road sign in College Road incorrectly states that Lockmeadow traffic should follow the M20.
Below left: Traffic going to Lock- meadow would therefore go into the central or right lane at Mill Street.
Below: But just as the junction with Broadway approaches, motorists are told that Lockmeadow is to the left – a drastic change of lane would therefore be required
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