News
Road changes ‘not a priority’
A PROPOSAL to encourage more traffic to use Willington Street is likely to be opposed by residents. Kent County Council’s Highways
and Transportation department would like to see the route “posi- tively signed” to and from the M20 for all traffic from the east of town. This would not only alleviate con- gestion in the town centre, but also reduce traffic flows along the Sutton Road and the Wheatsheaf junction. However, councillors who repre-
sent the residents have asked for an 18-tonneweight restriction to be im- posed on the street, similar to that on the B2163 through Leeds, in a bid to reduce the number of HGVs using the residential road. Butweight restrictions are only ef-
fective if enforced by Kent Police. Councillors were due to face the
thorny question of which – if either – route to go down when they met on Monday, February 22. In a report to the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board, KCC’s Andy Corcoran said: “Neither proposal should be considered without more detailed analysis of the impacts and would not currently be high priori-
ties for highway funding.” Officers have proposed that no changes be made until after the ap- proval of the borough’s interim transport strategy. Traffic surveys on Willington
Street last July found that more than 100 HGVs over 7.5 tonnes use the road between 7am and 7pm. If a weight restriction were to be imposed, the majority of those vehi- cles would travel through the town centre via the A229 Loose Road. KCCsays extra traffic on this road
would only add to delays. But if only a third of the motorway-bound traf- fic were to be diverted away from theA229 andA274downWillington Street, it would increase the overall traffic by 10%. KCC admits this would have a negative impact on residents and on Ashford Road, New Cut Road and Bearsted Road. The total cost of implementing the
weight reduction is estimated at £7,000. Signing the road as the main route to and from the M20 would also run into thousands. As the road safety record onWill-
ington Street is good, neither option would be a high priority for funding.
TWO runners from Maidstone will be taking part in this year’s Brighton Marathon event for the air ambulance appeal. Air ambulance doctor NickyWhite
(pictured) and Ryan Bingham will join the patients, doctors, paramedics and grateful relatives – a team of about 100 – in running the 10k race which takes place the same day as the main event on April 17. They all want to give something back to the charity and, for Ryan, that’s because his father was airlifted by the life-saving service some years ago. Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance
is urging others to register before the race deadline on March 4. Entrants receive a fundraising pack, including sponsor forms and an
Air Ambulance running vest. For details call Lauren Elphick on 01622 833833 or email
laurene@kssairambulance.org.uk, or formore information visit
www.kssairambulance.co.uk/involved/BrightonMarathon.
Learn about volunteering
THERE’S a chance to learn about becoming a volunteer at an event on Tuesday, March 1. The open day will provide infor- mation about the range of roles in Maidstone and Malling. The open day, which is free, runs
from 11am to 2pm at the Volunteer Centre, at Maidstone’s Town Hall in Jubilee Square.
Lizzie Lowrey, InvolveVolunteer Centre manager, said: “There are many exciting roles available, with vacancies for boatsmen, rangers, prison visitors, guide dog boarders, woodwork tutors and even volun- teers at a local goat sanctuary.” Call the Involve Volunteer Cen-
tre on 01622 674252 or email volun-
teer.centre@involvekent.org.uk
downsmail.co.uk Running for air ambulance
01622 902005
8
Maidstone Town March 2016
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