News
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 for 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. The new road could be open in
2025 and Highways England con- sultation manager Martin Potts said: “The number of responses and peoplewe’ve seen at the events has been really encouraging. “We need to get the best balance
between improving journeys and getting value for money while managing the impact on the local area.” The Lower Thames Crossing will
be the first new crossing of the Thames east of London since the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge opened near Dartford 25 years ago.
downsmail.co.uk Charity shop
for homeless MAIDSTONE’S newest charity has signed the lease on its first shop. MADM– Making a Difference to Maidstone – was set up to help the homeless and disadvantaged in the town and works with other charities to help those who on the streets or sleeping rough. Mid Kent College
has refurbished the shop, in Church Street, as a commu-
nity project, and students are lend- ing a hand with interior design. The charity needs awarehouse or storage space for furniture and goods that have been donated. Charity founderAmanda Sidwell
has befriended most of the town’s homeless, through her work with the winter shelter scheme, meals for the homeless at the Baptist Church and Salvation Army and CRI Maidstone (theWest Kent Re- covery Service for drug and alcohol abusers), and is known by the soup run teams and numerous associ- ated organisations/charities. She is also looking for volunteers
to help man the shop, which was due to be open by Easter. Email her at
mad_amanda@hotmail.com or call 07769 268962
Join TRUGYM Chatham or Maidstone for FREE until 10th April.
Save £20.00, limited spaces available.
Call the club or visit our website
www.trugym.co.uk and enter promo code- joinfee0
TRUGYM CHATHAM Pier 5
ChathamQuays, Chatham ME4 4ZL
01634 890711 10 Maidstone East April 2016
TRUGYM MAIDSTONE Unit 1 and 2 Broadway
Shopping Centre, Maidstone ME16 8PS
01622 678889
www.trugym.co.uk
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