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West Malling Parish Council Independent report on business parking
Richard Byatt reported the findings of his survey for the parish council on the parking needs of all 132 West Malling businesses.
Out of the total of 1,215 workers in the town, 978 came by car and only 78 people walked to work.
Every day, 439 needed off-site parking - at least 160 spaces more than available at present.
Only one third of firms had obtained business permits for the Ryarsh Lane car park, and so workers battled to find spaces in residential streets and in the Tesco car park two months after charges began.
Businesses called for parking to be free for the first half hour or hour for shoppers and appointments to doctor, dentist, optician, library, church, vets etc., none of whom had on-site parking.
Council chairman Trudy Dean reported that official figures for May, June and July showed a 25% drop in cars using the Tesco shoppers car park compared to a year ago.
The borough council had already collected enough money since May to pay for the operation and monitoring of the Tesco car park for the whole year.
Almost £1,000 per month was received in overpayment for a longer parking period than was used.
Though some businesses reported customers were pleased with easier parking, a number also reported takings were down by up to 40%.
Parish councillors agreed to ask the borough council again to help the parish
Wanted - space for moped and motorbike maintenance sessions for bikers of all ages.
Biking enthusiasts wanting to share their expertise in motorbike and moped maintenance are looking for a suitable place for workshop sessions.
East Malling Cllr Roger Roud, a biking enthusiast for many years, said: “There is always engine noise from maintenance work on bikes. We need a local unused
LOCAL CONTACTS
Trudy Dean, Malling Action Partnership chairman E:
trudy.dean@
kent.gov.uk T: 01732 843 119
Citizens Advice Bureau – T: 01732 440488
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council main switchboard – T: 01732 844522 Pothole reporting – T: 08458 247800
Travel Enquiries
Trains – T: 08457 484950 Nu-Venture Buses – T: 01622 882288
Arriva Buses – T: 0871 200 22 33
Supported by House Building
The borough council has published its draft Consultation Plan called “The Way Forward” showing their chosen sites for 670 houses each year until 2031.
In Malling, the main sites preferred for building are: Manor Farm field between Churchfields and Offham Road, West Malling; southern section of Broadwater Farm roughly between Kings Hill and south of Pikey Lane; the eastern side of East Malling Research Station from Kiln Barn Lane to Hermitage Lane extending on to A20 at Coldharbour Roundabout; the site of Larkfield Library, Martin Square; two sites on the east bank of the Medway to the west of Eccles, and the north of Aylesford; the proposal to extend the Green Belt remains in the Plan but only to the line of the bypass; major development north of Borough Green and Platt partially on former quarry land.
Councillors were disappointed the borough council had not suggested that the Green Belt should extend to New Road, High Street, Chapel Street and Wateringbury Road East Malling to ensure the separation of Kings Hill, East and West Malling, Leybourne and Larkfield.
Consultation will begin at the end of September for eight weeks. You can find the document on the Borough Council website in papers for the Cabinet meeting
Biking workshop needs a home
shed or barn of some kind where we won't be a nuisance, and experienced riders can share their knowledge and enjoyment as well as helping youngsters to keep their bikes running more cheaply and safely."
West Malling Cllr Trudy Dean said: “ In East and West Malling we have a group of young and older people with great enthusiasm for biking, so all they need now is a home. "
find a new parking site, renewed requests for charges to be dropped at least for the first hour or two, request more enforcement, and ask for a pre-Christmas period of free parking to help trading figures.
of September 6.
West Malling Parish Council confirmed it would be holding its second public meeting shortly on the Neighbourhood Plan following TMBC approval of the process on September 6.
GP Surgery
The West Malling and Kings Hill GP Practice is to end its walk-in clinics on September 25 and reopen the previous system for booking appointments the following day. This is to meet the customer complaints that it has become impossible to book appointments. Posters and leaflets are to be distributed.
In brief
Following KCC’s U turn, all night lighting will return to local street lights as the county-wide LED conversion project tackles this between September and November.
The Swan Street Post Office at 39 Swan Street has entered the Kent Most Valued Post Office competition. Google Kent Rural Retailers for the voting form
New 100-year lease on the Cricket Meadow has been signed between the parish council and Town Malling Cricket Club.
The application for an office block at Appledene Farm, Norman Road has been refused at a planning enquiry.
Please contact Trudy Dean if you are interested in joining supporters’ groups for Larkfield or West Malling Libraries. Email : Trudy.
Dean@kent.gov.uk
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