News
downsmail.co.uk Council backs bus changes
BUS passengers face changes to their services in a round of cutbacks which have the support of Maidstone Council.
The countywide changes aim to
save more than £500,000 from pub- lic transport budgets. Withdrawal of the evening serv-
ices on Arriva’s 89 route between Maidstone and Coxheath, which also serves Loose Road and Linton, will save Kent County Council (KCC) an estimated £23,677. But to ensure that no passengers are left stranded, buses will be diverted from another route in the evenings. Writing to KCC, Maidstone Bor-
ough Council planning officer Steve Clarke said: “The council is satisfied the proposed changes to service 89 appear to be adequately compen- sated for by the diversion of service 5 to serve the village in the evenings. It is understood that adding the 89 loop to the number 5 service is al- ready in place on a Sunday and that it doesn’t have a substantial impact. “As long as the changes are ade- quately signposted to evening users of the service 89 and it doesn’t result in any loss of service (which it does- n’t seem to), then Maidstone Bor- ough Council does not object to the
KENT’S Police and Crime Commis- sioner Matthew Scott is asking peo- ple to support police volunteers by nominating the county’s best for a national award. The Home Office each year hosts
the Lord Ferrers Awards to ac- knowledge the valuable contribu- tion of volunteers to policing. This year, the government is inviting members of the public to put vol- unteer’s names forward. Award categories include team
awards and individual awards, as well as an employer-supported policing award for an organisation which supports its local police force through volunteering. To nominate a volunteer or team,
visit: http://www.homeofficesur-
veys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/TO6DL
Fury at new fares
FARE changes announced by Ar- riva have angered some parents. Short journeys from the urban
proposals.” He added that the borough coun-
cil hoped that it might be possible in future to reinstate the 89 evening service to the village through section 106 finance raised through large housing developments. The borough’s reply to KCC’s con- sultationwas agreed by officers and councillors were asked to note the response at the strategic planning, sustainability and transportation committee on June 14. The document said: “The council
wouldwelcome and stresses the im- portance of on-going dialogue with the county council on public trans-
port issues, in particular support for improved bus service to and from Maidstone to the rural service cen- tres and large villages which are seen as integral to the integrated transport strategy and traffic mitiga- tion proposals.” It added that some members felt
that a predominantly on-line consul- tation felt inappropriate as a large number of bus users were over 65 but many did not have internet ac- cess. For about 30 years, the county council has subsidised commercially unviable bus routes run by firms in- cluding Arriva and Nu-Venture
edges into town centres will be cut from 80p to 50p and the Maid- stone Plus ticket will reduce from £800 to £600, but only for new commuters. Maidstone Zone ticket holders
will see an increase in fares allow- ing them to travel further across the region. But the popular £10 Kids Go
Cheap deal will end, causing angry parents to complain on Twitter that family day trips during the summer will cost too much.
which are seen as lifelines for rural communities. The authority has identified savings of £680,000 from the budget without reducing routes. Consultation closed inMaywith a decision by county councillors ex- pected in July.
Police awards Dance at the castle with champions
KINGSWOOD national dance champions Max and Katie Harrison (pictured) will perform at Leeds Castle’s classical concert on July 9. The brother and sister duo, who
are pupils at Sutton Valence School, began dancing together in January 2013 and are currently eighth in the world as England’s junior dance champions. They hope to get audiences on their feet when they offer concert goers an invitation to mirror them in a waltz to Moon River. Max said: “The last year has been amazing for us.We have collected numerous titles, travelled the world and forged friendships that will last a lifetime.
Max and Katie
Harrison will perform at Leeds Castle’s concert on July 9
“Dancing at Leeds Castle classical concert in 2015 was the highlight of our year and we are very much looking forward to this fabulous event once again.” He says this year brings further challenges as the couple leave the
ranks of junior competition to compete as adults, with the finest amateurs from around the world. Max (16) and Katie (15) will be
performing at the castle to the world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jailed for ‘humiliating’ sex assault Free magazines
A MAN has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he beat, humili- ated and sexually assaulted a woman in her Maidstone home. Michael Coles
(left), formerly of Saunders Street, Gillingham, grabbed his victim by the hair and hit her face, during an hour-long ordeal.
Coles (27) punched and kicked the woman, before pouring a can of cider over the victim as she lay cry- ing on the floor of a bedroom.
16 Maidstone Town July 2016 After carrying out a sexual assault,
Coles made further demands before threatening to kill her. The victim was dragged by her
hair into a bathroom, where Coles turned out the light and refused to let her out. When she tried to escape he kicked her to the ground. Police were called after the victim eventu- ally managed to leave the property and alert neighbours and upon ar- rest Coles then headbutted and el- bowed an officer. Coles claimed to police he lashed
out in self-defence after he had been attacked. At Maidstone Crown
Court Coles pleaded guilty to a charge of affray relating to his arrest, but denied two counts of sexual as- sault and two of causing actual bod- ily harm. Following a trial by jury Coles was convicted of these of- fences. Detective Constable Cather- ine Ruler, of Kent Police’s Sexual Offence Investigation Team said: “Coles attempted to humiliate and degrade his victim for his own sex- ual gratification and also subjected her to a vicious and prolonged as- sault, which left her with a number of injuries, including a cigarette burn to her breast.”
MAGAZINE fans will be able to download the latest issues of some of the most popular national titles free as part of a pilot in Kent. Those with library cards can download electronic versions of magazines includingAuto Express, Hello and Good Housekeeping via Kent librarieswebsite. Issues can be read online or downloaded to An- droid, Apple and Kindle Fire de- vices via a free app. The pilot, which will run for a
year, is looking at new ways of serving the public. For more infor- mation and to browse the collection visit
www.kent.gov.uk/libraries
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