News
downsmail.co.uk MPtakes on broadband fight
FRUSTRATED broadband users in Malling and Maidstone have called in the ‘big guns’ in an effort to get BT to listen.
MPs have reported widespread problemswith the poor service ex- perienced by people living in vil- lages in their areas. Ryarsh is just one of many vil-
lages in and around Malling suf- fering abysmal service from the communications giant. Now, its parish council has called on Ton- bridge and Malling MP Tom Tu- gendhat to take up the case, after claiming residents’ complaints have so far fallen on deaf ears. Ryarsh Parish Council chairman
Cllr David Storey says problems are getting worse and affect every one of the village’s 240 properties. Issues include download freezes, and messages saying downloads will only resume when the connec- tion improves. As a regular broadband user, he
says: “I don’t believewe are unique in the fact that fibre hasn’t reached our village, but we are all sick to the back teeth of being forced to use an old system not designed to cope with today’s needs.” He says: “We are having to con-
tend with old infrastructure and copper and aluminum wires that weren’t built to conduct this vol- ume of online traffic. BT has failed to hear or respond to our com- plaints andwe are glad ourMPhas now agreed to challenge the cause
on our behalf; perhaps the big BT giant will listen to him if not us.” The parish council says BT prom-
ised a year ago to install a new green box in the heart of the vil- lage, opposite the pub, to improve broadband services but this has never materialised. Tonbridge and Malling MP Tom
Tugendhat has now written to BT chief executive Gavin Patterson after meeting with south east com- pany director Stacey King, who promised Mr Patterson would look into the issue. He says Ryarsh Parish Council has now been asked to provide
specific evidence of the poor serv- ice – a move criticised by Mr Tu- gendhat, who says BT has so far done its best to be “evasive”. He said: “I have received scores
of complaints from Ryarsh resi- dents about problems with their broadband service, specifically in Roughetts Road and Chapel Street. “Broadband is an essential part
of modern day life and it is not ac- ceptable for companies such as BT and Openreach to fail to give resi- dents and businesses the quickest possible service.” He said other areas experiencing the same problems – which he is
also highlighting to BT – include homes at Kings Hill, Mereworth and Offham. He added: “Ryarsh is particu-
larly problematic, and I have had complaints from all parts of the vil- lage. I’m now working closely with the parish council to put pressure on BT to improve coverage to the whole village and the other areas affected.” He is hoping to organise a broad-
band summit in the Malling area in the New Year to galvanise resi- dents in a united show of frustra- tion to BT and other broadband providers.
Widespread calls to improve internet speeds
MAIDSTONE and theWeald MP Helen Grant said she receives complaints about poor broadband in villages in her constituency almost everyweek. She said: “Broadband services
have been an ongoing campaign for me for years, particularly in the rural areas. In 2014, I surveyed 4,000 rural homes to identify and establish the extent of the problem on both broadband and mobile phone services and I have been lobbying industry and Government ever since. “It is true to say that mostweeks I
MPs Helen Grant and Helen Whately
act upon requests for help from constituents who receive a poor service. “Tomonitor progress, I receive regular updates fromthe ministry
about the roll-out of high speed services in this constituency. “I will continue to lobby and apply
pressure to get this situation rectified and ensuremy constituents get the services they need and deserve.” Helen Whateley, MP for
Faversham and Mid Kent is also campaigning on similar problems with broadband in a number of rural parishes in her constituency. A number of villages have reported issues, particularly Lenham Heath, Sutton Valence and Hawkenbury.
New job for Fancy Goat
THE Fancy Goat restaurant inWest Malling is set to take on a fresh new look and job description. The former shop, which opened
as a restaurant in 2006, is to become a staffing and recruitment agency. Go Tec has bought the building
Running scared for fund
ABOUT 750 witches, ghosts, mon- sters and all manner of ghostly fig- ures took over Mote Park in Maidstone. The Monster Dash and Running Scared saw adults and children run through spooky woodsandget cov- ered in gunge, foam and bubbles in aid of Demelza Hospice Care for Children. The family-friendly Monster
Dash was followed by the more frightening Running Scared (pic- tured) in the evening. Participants walked, jogged or
ran around the Pumpkin Path and Slime Time Alley as ghostly fig- ures, menacing monsters and bloodcurdling vampires leapt out of the shadows.
10 Malling November 2016
At the finish line, runners chose whether to follow the trick finish for a ghostly surprise or play it safe and opt for a treat. Personal trainer Susie Ward-
Joyce got the ghouls and ghosts ready to go with a thriller –style warm upand each participantwent home with a medal, headband and a goody bag. Events co-ordinator Gemma Murray said: “It has been great to see so many people go to so much effort with their costumes. It was one of the most fun events to plan, sowe hope everyone enjoyed being scared as much aswe enjoyed scar- ing them!” Find out more about Demelza at
www.demelza.org.uk.
and it is understood it will relocate its offices from the 20-20 business park at Allington to the prominent High Street building. While Go Tec was unwilling to comment, plans have been received by the borough council for the new use and minor alterations. KevinWise, who is handling the application for Go Tec, said the work would involve removing the kitchen and minor internal changes such as lighting and a fresh fascia. He said it was hoped the agency could be open by Christmas.
The building closed as a restau-
rant in May following a very public protest outside the outlet by a butcher who said the restaurant owed him over £9,000 for meat. Hopes by staff of a takeoverwere
lost when the owner of the building placed it on the open market in the summer for about £750,000, with the building coming under offer within days.
Festive flowers demonstrated
SEASONAL flower arrangements will be produced by national demonstrator Angela Turner at Ditton Community Centre in Kiln Barn Road, on November 10. The event, All is calm, all is bright – starts at 6.45pm. Displays will be raffled at the end, with refreshments and craft stalls also a feature. Tickets are £9 and available by calling 01622 741207.
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