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It follows growing anger from motorists, frustrated by an extra set of lights and filter lane installed just yards from those already serving the busyA20 junction at the bottom of Hermitage Lane. The new controls have been in- troduced for customers using the new McDonald’s drive-through and retail park. Contributors to Aylesford’s Streetlife web page say there are- queues on the A20 in both direc- tions, and beyond the hospital to Barming. They claim lights are forcing


‘Switch the traffic lights off’ Your views


Contributors to the Streetlife web page have been having their say:


“Shambles. It was perfectly


obvious to all normal thinking people that this new shopping complex would cause traffic problems, it’s not rocket science. “Having allowed the complex


The new traffic lights and filter lane at the bottom of Hermitage Lane


drivers to wait at McDonald’s when the traffic lights on the A20 are green. The filter lane serving the restaurant, from the A20, is also too small, meaning any more than three cars wishing to turn into the drive through ultimately block through traffic. Kent County Council member


Dan Daley, of Allington, says it takes him 30 minutes to drive from the Duke of Edinburgh to the Lon- don Road. He said: “Why anyone would


think itwas a good idea to put two sets of lights so close to the A20 junction is anybody’s guess. “They’ve been up a month and I think it’s time the county council


Bogus officials


on doorsteps BOGUS callers are using concerns about water supplies during hot weather to steal jewellery and money from homes in Maidstone. Police have received reports of


two men calling at homes in the Parkway area of the town saying they need to check stopcocks be- cause of issues with water supplies. Once inside the houses, the bogus callers have kept their victims dis- tracted while jewellery and cash were stolen. Incidents have been reported at houses in Disraeli Close, Courtenay Road, and Woolley Road. The men are described as white and in their 20s. Bothwere smartly dressed. At one incident, one of the offend-


ers was reported to have a mous- tache and the other a goatee beard. Investigating officer PC Michelle Marshall said: “We are asking friends and relatives of elderly resi- dents to make sure theyknownot to let cold callers into their home with- out checking they are legitimate.” Anyone with information is asked


to call Kent Police on 01622 604100 or Kent Crimestoppers, anony- mously, on 0800 555111.


4 Maidstone East August 2016


Patrick Leeson with SenacreWood chairman of governors Andy Bax, headteacher Peter Hellman and Roger Gough


School teams rewarded


THREE schools from the Maid- stone area have been recognised at an awards ceremony after gaining strong Ofsted reports. Head teachers and governors


from Senacre Wood, Tiger and Marden primary schools re- ceived certificates of apprecia- tion from Roger Gough, KCC cabinet member for education and Patrick Leeson, the council’s corporate director. Mr Gough said: “Your schools


are great examples of what can be achieved with the right lead- ership and the continued com- mitment of your staff. Every


child deserves a good education and we want Kent to be the best place in England for them to be educated.” Senacre, in Graveney Road,


Tiger in Boughton Lane and Marden were all given a “good” rating by Ofsted. Twenty-six schools from


across the countywere honoured at the KCC celebration at Maid- stone’s Mercure Hotel. Headteacher Peter Hellman,


who has been at Senacre for 24 years, paid tribute to his team and especially his deputy for bringing forward new ideas.


simply switched them off until the problem can be resolved.” He says traffic already manages


to feed on to Hermitage Lane from various roads, including from Barming station, without the need for disruptive traffic lights. There are fears it will worsen


when Aldi opens on the site. Sara, who works at the hospital


and lives in Pratling Street, posted on Streetlife: “Yesterday, I worked a 10-hour day at the hospital and fi- nally got in my car to go home and went nowhere. Whose idea was it to put traffic lights there for the shopping centre and McDonalds?” A Kent County Council spokesman said: “We advised


(Tonbridge & Malling Council) on a number of measures, which in- cluded linking the site access to ex- isting junctions and alterations to lane markings. “Unfortunately,we subsequently learned the planning conditions placed on the applicant did not refer in detail to the need for the ap- plicant to deliver these measures. “We are working…to ensure the improvements can be made as soon as possible.” Cllr Daley added: “KCC does


seem to be getting the message and finally, I hope, will start represent- ing its infrastructure concerns as it has done in the Sutton Road area of the town.”


to be built, the least the council can now do is purchase the land opposite and widen the road so that the hospital and through traffic have a clear lane. “There should have been a


direct road through from the A20 when the hospital was built. I remember the discussions at the time well, but as usual those in office thought they knew better.” Jill T


“We tried to drive up to the


hospital from the M20 and just sat on the A20 waiting to turn into Hermitage Lane. What a disgrace, but nothing will be done as it is all in place now. It’s too late to complain and it’s a waste of time anyway – like the Government – they don't listen to us or common sense.


Fred G Thief in court


AMAIDSTONEmanwhoadmitted shoplifting five times from two stores in the town has been ordered to pay £227 compensation. Mid Kent magistrates heard that


Craig Elkington (42) stole meat worth £108 from a shop in Northumberland Road and in Feb- ruary and April he stole smaller amounts of meat from the store. On January 22, he took air fresh-


eners worth £30, from another shop in Willington Street, returning on June 3 to steal meat worth £19. Magistrates sentenced Elkington,


fromWallis Avenue, Maidstone, to 60 days in prison, suspended for 12 months.


Train to be guide


LEARN how to become a guide for the blind and partially sighted at a free training session in Maidstone. Maidstone’s Mobility Centre will


host the training at 6 James What- manCourt,Turkey Mill, on theAsh- ford Road, from 9.30-11.30am on Wednesday,August 10. For more information or to book a


place contact the mobility team on 0845 3727422 or email Cassan- dra.moss@guidedogs.org.uk.


THE county council has been urged to pull the plug on a new set of traffic lights causing congestion on a vital road serving Maidstone Hospital.


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