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
Extension for
special school FIVE Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, Maidstone is in line for a two-storey extension and re- furbishment. KCChas lodged a planning appli-
cation to improve facilities and add 54 places at the special school, which caters for youngsters between four and 16 with learning difficulties. Astatement said: “The proposal is
to refurbish and make minor, non structural alterations to the existing school to provide enhanced facilities. “The primary focus of the pro-
posed works centre on a two-storey extension on the school’s existing car park, enlarged school hall and kitchens and a relocated entrance. “It would include many facilities
such as the existing hydrotherapy pool to be retained, sensory integra- tion rooms, group rooms, and a shared SEN resource. “A car park and pupil drop-off arrangement is proposed.” ShouldKCCgive the go-ahead, by September 2016 the number of pupils at the school will rise to 260. Maidstone Council lodged no ob-
jection but the North Loose Resi- dents Association raised concern about lighting in the car park and called for measures to reduce traffic.
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.
22 Maidstone East 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’sWay, so travelled to- wards the M20 before 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 on 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.”
Post office plot court case
THREE men have been charged in connection with an alleged plot to steal cash safes from post offices in Kent. Stephen Davenport (53) of Fairbourne Lane, Harrietsham, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle, conspiracy to supply and produce cannabis; Anthony Pemberthy (36) of Green Lane, Langley, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle and Michael Turner (58) of Tilden Close, High Halden, has been charged with conspiracy to burgle. The three were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation by offi-
cers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate. They are also accused of plotting to steal anATMfrom a property in Peasmarsh, East Sussex. Officers have also charged a fourth man – Dean Payne (35) of Beacon Road, Lenham with conspiracy to supply cannabis and pro- duction of cannabis. All four men appeared beforeMedway magistrates on April 1 when
they were remanded in custody until July 2 for a plea and case man- agement hearing at Maidstone Crown Court.
Homes plan
FIVE new homes are proposed for land south of Horseshoes Lane, Lan- gley. A planning application, which
will be decided by Maidstone Coun- cil, said: “While the proposed devel- opment site is noted as being open countryside the site is located to the immediatewestern boundary of the built-up area of Langley Village. “The site is bounded to the north,
west and south by the public high- way that accesses Langley and to the east by the existing built form. It is the case, therefore that the site pro- vides a natural rounding off of the village. “There is an existing access from
Turgis Close as well as one from Heath Road.”
Bookies plan
JENNINGS Racing has ap- plied to set up a bookmaker at a vacant unit that was previ- ously a mobility scooter shop in 6 Senacre Square, Senacre. Jennings planned to move to
the premises after closing its shop in Park Wood on May 1.
Trust meeting
THE public are invited to attend the annual meeting of the Vinters Valley Nature Reserve Trust on Sunday, May 10. The event, at St Luke’s Church
Hall in Foley Street, Maidstone, starts at 2.15pm and will be fol- lowed by refreshments and a talk by reserve warden Steve Songhurst, entitled Exploring the trees of Vinters.
Formore local news
www.downsmail.co.uk
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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