downsmail.co.uk
Thames crossing route gets council backing
MAIDSTONE Council has given the thumbs up to a new Thames crossing joining the M2 near Gravesend. Highways England has identified
three potential routes for a twin tunnel between Essex and Kent and come down in favour of option C, which would link up with the M25 or emerge close to Shorne. Maidstone Council agrees that
this option would be the best route for alleviating congestion at Dart- ford whilst having most benefit to the people of Kent. The council’s strategic planning
and transportation committee heard the proposed crossing would have no direct impact on the bor- ough of Maidstone but could result in economic benefits. The twin tunnel, costing between
£4.3bn and £5.9bn to build, would have a 70mph design speed along its length. Motorists would be charged to use it. Although it is more expensive to
build and maintain a twin-bored tunnel than a bridge or an im- mersed tunnel, Highways England believes this kind of crossing has
The route of the Eastern Southern Link is the option preferred by Maidstone Council for the proposed Thames Crossing
the least environmental impact. A new crossing would draw
some 13-14% of traffic away from Dartford, improving journey times at Dartford by five minutes and journeys from Kent to the M25 by up to 12 minutes. It is estimated north-south cross-
ing capacity across the river would increase by 70% in its opening year. Maidstone Council believes the preferred route has the potential to unlock greater regional economic benefits than the alternatives. It considers the Eastern Southern
Link (ESL) is preferable to thewest- ern southern link, as it connects di- rectly to M2 Junction 1/A2/A289, west of Strood, and has greater po- tential to alleviate traffic conges- tion.
The western southern link route,
which is supported by KCC, would emerge southwest of Orsett before joining the M25 between junctions 29 and 30. Highways England will consider
all the consultation responses prior to making a preferred route an- nouncement in mid-2016.
News Four held on
drugs charges FOUR people were arrested as part of an operation aimed at tack- ling drug abuse and gang-related violence in Maidstone. Officers used awarrant to search
a house in Mote Road, where they seized what they believed to be 40 wraps of class A drugs, several knives and an airgun. Two Maidstone men aged 50 and
34 and two London men aged 18 and 19 were arrested on suspicion of supplying a class A drug. All were released on bail until April 19. Acting Detective Chief Inspector Michael Coltham said Kent Police was determined to disrupt emerg- ing gangs. He said: “Drug-dealing gangs
target the most vulnerable mem- bers of society and seek to benefit from their misery. They also make life unpleasant for law abiding peo- ple, andwe are determined to keep them out of our town. “We have a good understanding
of who the gangmembers and their associates are, as well as how they operate.We will continue to target them and protect those most at risk from their actions.” Members of the public can play
their part by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 to report any suspi- cious activity.
Compassionate & caring service for the bereaved, day or night
• Pre-paid funeral plans
• Personal service day or night
• Qualified compassionate staff Bearsted 4 Cavendish Way,
Bearsted Maidstone, Kent ME15 8PW E:
bearsted@familyfuneralservice.net
01622 260200
www.familyfuneralservice.net
• Green and non religious services
• Horse drawn vehicles or modern Volvo fleet
Barming 6 Marlborough Parade,
Barming, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9JN E:
enquiries@familyfuneralservice.net
01622 260210 Maidstone Town April 2016 31
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56