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


Pupils miss out on first


choice school NEARLY 2,500 primary pupils will not be going to their first choice school when the term starts in Sep- tember. The county council says that


while 96% of children were given one of the three options favoured by their parents, 4% will be going else- where. Aslightly improved 14,943 of par-


ents got their first-choice placement this year – up 427 on last, at nearly 86%. The total number of primary school places needed this year also increased for the eighth consecutive year to 17,415 – up 321 on 2014. Patrick Leeson, KCC’s corporate director of education, said: “We are pleased to see that the number of both first and second choices has in- creased. “However, we will not lose sight


of the fact that4%of pupils have not been given a school from their pref- erences. While many will secure places through waiting lists and re- allocation, I amaware that this will be a difficult time andwe will do all we can to offer a good outcome.” He added that the authority was creating hundreds of additional places – both for the start of the aca- demic year 2015/16 and for Septem- ber 2016. Parents unhappy with their allo-


cation can join a waiting list by going to www.kent.gov.uk/prima- ryadmissions or they can call the school admissions team on 0300 412121.


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.


Police warn of banking scam


POLICE are warning residents in Tonbridge and Malling to be extra vigilant against fraudsters follow- ing a number of incidents where of- fenders have attempted to obtain bank details on the phone. Posing as police officers, the of- fenders claim money has been taken from the victim’s bank ac- count and then ask for details of their cards. OnApril 13, a man claiming to be


a police inspector from London phoned a woman in Tonbridge claiming someone had been ar- rested after her bank card was fraudulently used. The womanwas told to put the phone down and call her bank immediately, which she did. She was then asked for details


including her address, account number and sort code. She grew suspicious and after visiting her bank contacted Kent Police. Two days later, a woman in


Upper Mill, East Malling, was called and told her bank card had been fraudulently used in Self- ridges. The caller on this occasion claimed he was from “London Po- lice”. Neither of these victims gave any of their bank details. Tonbridge and Malling Inspector


Mark Hutcheon said: “We have re- ceived at least 10 reports of suspi- cious calls in the district this month, although thankfully, none of the intended victims have been duped into passing on their bank details. Under no circumstances


Pre-school’s Ofsted praise


AN Ofsted inspection of Kings Hill Pre-school in Gibson Drive confirmed the good rating it had received at its last inspection. Children were able to choose whether to play inside or outside


and to decide which activities they wanted to take part in, which helped to develop their decision-making skills. Staff had a good knowledge of safeguarding requirements, in- cluding the need for vigilance regarding unauthorised people, en- suring the children remained safe. The staff had good relationships with local schools and invited reception teachers to visit the setting and meet the children, help- ing the youngsters to make a smooth transition to school. Children and staff had worked together on the setting’s “golden rules”, which set out clear expectations and give children a frame- work within which they can work together, show good behaviour and manners. To become outstanding, staff could increase opportunities to pro-


mote early writing skills. They could also encourage children to learn about the natural environment and provide better resources for exploration.


For more local news www.downsmail.co.uk 18 Malling May 2015


would a real police officer ask for credit cards or bank details over the phone, so it is important to never give out this type of information. “I would like to remind residents


to remain vigilant of these scams and for family and friends to look out for those who are vulnerable. “If you are suspicious about any-


one who phones, or knocks on your door claiming to be a police officer, make a note of as much informa- tion as possible and report it to Kent Police on 101. “Do not give out any details and


ask for a number to call them back. If you are calling your bank back, wait a few minutes to ensure that the phone line is clear, or better still, dial from a different phone.”


Brick wall is


too ‘stark’ A RED brick wall built in a conser- vation area at East Malling is to be demolished after it emerged that it did not have planning permission. Tonbridge and Malling council- lors approved enforcement action because the 1.65m high boundary wall around a converted oasthouse at Invicta Works in Mill Street was unauthorised. Two 1.8m high stretches of fenc- ing will also have to be removed. A report by council planning of- ficers called for the wall and fences to be replaced by shrubs as origi- nally agreed.


It is unclear who built the wall and fences. Developer Clarendon Homes denied responsibility, say- ing it had not been on the site for more than a year.


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


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