downsmail.co.uk


Village bypass ‘15 years away’


THE long-awaited Leeds-Langley bypass, linking the A20 and A274 south of Maidstone, might not be built until after 2031. Although councillors have pledged to seek funding for a relief road to take traffic away from the two villages and ease congestion on Sutton Road andWillington Street, it could be another 15 years before the wheels are set in motion. Maidstone Council’s draft inte-


grated transport strategy suggests it could be feasible to build such a re- lief road in south-east Maidstone – but only after 2031. A report to the town’s policy and resources committee said: “Kent County Council will establish the justification for and delivery of such a project. It is considered, that al- though further assessment is re- quired, delivery of such a project may be feasible post-2031.” The council is in the final stages of putting together its local plan for de- velopment up until 2031 – of which the relief road is not a part. The first review of the plan will not take place until 2022, when it might be consid- ered for inclusion.


Kent County Council leader Paul


Carter told a recent meeting of the town’s Joint Transportation Board that hewas hoping to findnewways of funding the relief road, expected to cost more than £50m. The idea is to press ahead with a feasibility study to “develop the jus- tification for a relief road to allow testing with other strategic transport options, develop a preferred route and identify sources of funding to promote development of the road at the earliest opportunity”. But Maidstone Council leader


Fran Wilson said traffic modelling would need to be carried out, aswell as research into the environmental impact, and a full cost analysis. The report says: “The borough council will work withKCCto iden- tify the potential, aswell as possible timescales for such a scheme at the first review of the Maidstone Bor- ough Local Plan in 2022.” Leeds Parish Council has launched an e-petition saying: “Kent County Council must give priority to the relief road and work with local partners to find the funding necessary to build it.”


COBBLER SHOE REPAIRS


COUNTY Hair and Beauty LADIES Heels from £6.95


Stick on Sole + Heel from £14.95


KEYS Most


Yale type £5 Mortice £6


chipped car keys cut and replacement fobs


Engraving service


Watch


batteries & straps replaced


16 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1RN 01622 674855


MENS Heels from £12.95


Stick on Sole + Heel £21.95


FEBRUARY OFFER from 1st - 29th


1/2 price foils


Prices starting from £20.50 Excludes cut and finish*


Book your appointment now 01622 817800


www.hairtraditionalmaidstone.co.uk 1 Bow Road, Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent ME18 5DD


hairtraditionalmaidstone *T&C’s apply


Maidstone South January 2016 3


Haulage firm’s boost to team AN AYLESFORD haulage company has given a group of Maidstone youngsters a leg up on the ladder to sporting success. Castledene Transport, based at Millhall inAylesford, gave £1,000 to


the Maidstone United Rangers U7s, allowing them to buy not only home and away strips, but also footballs, tracksuits, cones, a first- aid kit and all the other bits and pieces they needed to get the team up and running. Until then, the nine youngsters aged five to seven had been playing in borrowed strip. The team were formed for the start of the season in September and the boys play in the Saturday U7s Maidstone Invicta League.


Pub evacuated in fire drama FIRE crews attended a blaze at theWalnut Tree pub, in Yalding Hill, after a coffee machine caught fire and triggered the smoke alarms. The ground floor of the 15th-century pub was smoke-logged and


flames attacked the old oak timbers. Firefighters used breathing ap- paratus and two hose reel jets to put out the fire which broke out in the bar behind the pub’s restaurant and dining room. Customers were evacuated as smoke poured into the bar area and


diners planning their Christmas party had to be turned away. Land- lord Barry Jenner, who lives on the premises,was forced to close the pub for 48 hours.


News


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