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Anger at plan to axe free parking
RESIDENTS and traders voiced their anger at a public meeting in West Malling to discuss a plan to axe free parking in the town. More than 70 people attended
the meeting at St Michael’s Pri- mary School in Norman Road to hear from parish council chairman Trudy Dean and Cllr Richard Selkirk on Tonbridge and Malling Council’s proposals to introduce hourly charges in the main car park off the High Street. Following a massive campaign
in the town against the new charg- ing scheme, a decision by the bor- ough council’s cabinet was deferred until March 22 so that members could discuss a petition with more than 3,000 signatures, presented by the parish council. A second petition signed by
nearly every trader in the town has also been submitted. The parish council said it was
feared that charges would drive away customers from local busi- nesses and cause congestion in the
town centre as people search for free parking. Objectors also included the Rev
David Green who was concerned about the effect on church atten- dances, particularly weddings, baptisms and funerals as St Mary’s Church has no on-site parking. Robert Styles, the council’s di-
rector of street scene, leisure and technical services said that the original aim of the proposalwas to support trade in the town by al- lowing more flexibility in the man- agement of the car park and optimising availability, as well as to address the significant running costs. The suggested charges were set
at a level to continue to support local businesses with no fees pro- posed for evenings or Sundays. On-street parking in the High
Street for one hour would con- tinue to be available free of charge for people just needing to pop into local shops or use community fa- cilities.
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News Officer honoured for bravery
A POLICE officer who confronted a violent motorist and was dragged along the road behind the man’s car has been recognised for his courage.
PC John Fordham was among a handful of officers singled out by Chief Constable Alan Pughsley for the way they handled extraordinary and challenging situations. In July 2014, PC Fordham approached a driver in a car park in London Road, Larkfield and spoke to him through the car vehicle window. The man drove off, dragging the officer along the road before leaving him at a nearby set of traffic lights. The officer’s
actions meant that the offender was quickly identified and he was sentenced to three years in prison for dangerous driving in September last year.
Mr Pughsley said: “These
commendation ceremonies provide us with an opportunity to showcase the excellent and courageous work my officers carry out as they provide a first class service to the people of Kent. They are confronted with dangerous and challenging situations every day – situations many would choose to walk away from. But my officers will run towards danger as they look to protect the public from harm and it gives me great pride to be able to recognise their courage.”
PC John Fordham (left) with Chief Constable Alan Pughsley
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Malling March 2016
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