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downsmail.co.uk ‘Do nothing and expect gridlock’
PEAK journey times in Maidstone in 2031 could increase by 38% if additional improvements to the borough's infrastructure are not made, a report has claimed. The borough and county council- commissioned study by consultant Amey also predicts a 30% rise in journey times even if the long-spec- ulated Leeds-Langley bypass comes to fruition. The report on how to mitigate congestion caused by new housing developments as Maidstone Coun- cil seeks to deliver 18,560 homes be- tween 2011 and 2031 sets out three scenarios: Do minimum (DM), which only includes the already-planned town centre bridge gyratory scheme. Highway package (DS1), which includes a range of small-scale junction improvements and the de- velopment of the bypass. Sustainable package (DS2),
which includes improved bus fre- quencies, a Linton crossroads park and ride service, enhancedwalking and cycling facilities and increased parking charges. The third scheme, DS2, was em- phatically the most preferable, with the reduction in vehicles on the roads leading to an increase in jour- ney times of just 4% compared to
levels in 2014. However, the report believes the chances of significant infrastruc- tural improvements in the next 16 years are slim. It said: “Neither of the scenarios modelled [DS1 and DS2] may actu- ally be achievable in reality, but they demonstrate the possibilities of different strategies. “DS1 caters for a similar number
of vehicles on the network to DM and has an increase in the vehicle distance but operates more effi- ciently in terms of travel time. “DS2 is based on a constrained
trip generation (allowing for in- creased walking and cycling) and
significant incentives for public transport. As a consequence this scenario handles a lower forecast traffic demand reflected in the lower travel distance and travel time outputs across the network. “With no intervention other than
the bridge gyratory improvement scheme the DM scenario demon- strates that there would be a signif- icant increase in travel time and travel distance over current condi- tions.
“The outputs suggest a signifi-
cant increase in congestion and delay on the urban highway net- work when compared with 2014 baseline conditions.”
Maidstone town bridge
As Downs Mailwent to press the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board was to discuss the findings and decide whether to take any ac- tion to relieve congestion.
Prostitution fear for M20 J8 development
PROSTITUTES and illegal immi- grants could head for Hollingbourne if industrial development is allowed to go ahead near J8 of the M20. The warning comes from Kent Po-
lice which issued a list of possible repercussions if development at the site is allowed to proceed. The warning that theft from – and
of – vehicles is likely to increase if RoxhillDevelopments is granted per- mission to develop land atWoodcut
Farm, Ashford Road, comes within weeks of an anticipated announce- ment from planning inspector Katie Peerless over a site on the opposite side of the road atWaterside Park. John Grant, crime prevention ad-
visor for Kent Police, cites a long list of potential problems which could arise if commercial development is permitted near Woodcut Farm. In a letter to the Maidstone plan- ning department, he said: “A site
such as this can bring many differ- ent types of crime such as theft from vehicles, theft of vehicles, theft of fuel, trailer theft, illegal immi- gration, parking issues, prostitu- tion, littering and fly-tipping.” Mr Grant added that the force’s counter-terrorism department would need to be consulted, as it might be necessary to include lanes for vehicle-checking and searching. See Comment – page 33
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