News
Drivers urged to share journeys
CAR-sharing initiatives are to be encouraged in Maidstone to help reduce the volume of traffic on the roads.
Maidstone has one of the highest
rates of single occupancy car use in Kent, with 52% of journeys made by the driver alone. Kent County Council already manages “kentjourneyshare”, a freeweb-based service which links drivers, passengers and taxi users who make similar journeys and en- courages them to share their trips. It also manages the “NewWays 2 Work” scheme to encourage sus- tainable travel choices. Even so, figures obtained from
the 2011 census revealed that 50,131 people – 44.3% of Maid- stone’s population – drove a car to work, 8% (9,023) walked and 4.6% (5,257) used the train. A further 31% were not in work and 4.2% (4,705 people) worked from home. Only 0.8% cycled to work, 0.5%
rode a motorcycle or scooter and 2.6% travelled by bus or coach. Maidstone has very high levels of
car ownership and usage compared with other parts of the country, says a report to the council.
Some 84% of households in the borough have at least one car, com- pared with 80% across Kent and 74% across England. The heavy reliance on a small number of key junctions – espe- cially in the town centre – means Maidstone is vulnerable when acci- dents occur on the motorway or events such as Operation Stack come into the equation. Maidstone Council has two pool
cars and two pool bikes for use by its staff, but reports that usage is very low compared with similar schemes elsewhere in the UK. Anumber ofKCCemployees use
Zipcar – a short-term car hire serv- ice – to get to and from work and two cars are based at County Hall, with another located in Church Street, which are available to mem- bers of the public who sign up to the Zipcar scheme. The 2011 census shows that 15%
of trips to work in Maidstone are 2km or less – walkable for most people – yet only 8% of people opt towalk. “This offers great potential for in- creasing walking, if the environ- ment is right,” it concludes.
The Pepperbox Inn Windmill Hill, Harrietsham, ME17 1LP
Visit our charming pub situated in beautiful countryside with outstanding views of the Weald of Kent
Full á la carte menu and traditional pub food served lunchtimes and evenings
Sunday Lunches £11 per person
Served 12noon – 3pm
• Outside terrace • Ample parking • Walkers & Riders welcome • Warm & welcoming open log fires.
Opening Times: Daily from 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11.30pm
Food Served: Lunch 12noon – 2pm Evening 7pm – 9.30pm Sunday Lunches: 12noon –3pm Closed Sunday Evenings
01622 842558
www.thepepperboxinn.co.uk 8 Maidstone South January 2016
downsmail.co.uk Junction closure plan scrapped
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to close the junction of Cranborne Avenue with Loose Road in Maidstone, has been vetoed at the 11th hour. Ward councillors have vowed to continue to fight it, should it rear its head
at any time in the future. The proposal was among
ideas put forward by Kent County Council for inclusion in the Maidstone Integrated Transport Strategy.However, it proved highly unpopular with residents. Cllr Brian Clark, KCCmem-
ber forMaidstone South, put forward the results of his survey among residents and, as a result of his in- tervention, Maidstone’s strategic planning committee agreed to take the “improvement” out of the draft. Cllr Clark said: "The decision to remove the CranborneAvenue junction clo-
sure fromMaidstone's Integrated Transport Strategy is a great result. “Had it have been left in the strategy, closurewould have been inevitable.
If a closure plan resurfaces, as part of improvement plans for the LooseRoad, my colleagues and Iwill oppose it vigorously."
Future of prison is unclear
THEMinistry of Justice says it is un- able to confirm whether Maidstone Prison will close under plans to shut some of the country’s oldest jails. The prison rebuilding programme announced by Chancellor George Osborne and Justice Secretary Michael Gove will “close Victorian relics of the past on prime sites in city centres”, replacing them with nine detention centres.
Maidstone meets this criteria, but
a Department of Justice spokesman said while nine new sites had been identified, only Reading had been announced for closure. The area’s women’s prison, East
Sutton Park, is already set to close. He added: “I can’t comment on
the situation in Maidstone because what we close will depend on the needs of the prison estate.”
West End Tavern
The West End Tavern is known for it’s well kept ales and traditional pub food, together with the warm friendly atmosphere. A bar menu and daily specials are available from Tuesday to Sunday between 12 to 2pm, and Monday to Saturday 7pm to 9pm. On Sundays a family style roast lunch is served from 12 to 2pm. Booking is advisable. Originally built in the 18th century, the West End Tavern is located on the site of the Old Forge in Marden. The ‘Tavern’ quickly became the most popular “beer house” among the local Kent Hop Pickers in the 1940s to 1950s and today still retains the original low beams and an inglenook fireplace. Well behaved dogs and children are allowed, and the pretty beer garden is just the place to soak up the sun. It is only 8 miles from Maidstone so why not pop-in or visit our website for more details.
01622 831956
Goudhurst Road, Marden, Kent, TN12 9JB
www.westendtavern.co.uk
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