News
HGV nuisance in Unite sights
TRANSPORT union Unite has joined Maidstone campaigners to call for lorry parks to rid the roads of illegally parkedHGVs. It follows concerns from parish councils including Thurnham and Boxley about the nuisance, labelled “fly-parking” by Mid-Kent MP Helen Whately when she raised the issue recently atWestminster. The union says the government is
falling short when half-a-million lorry drivers are “caught short” look- ing for toilet facilities. It wants a legally-binding code of practice in- troduced, providing drivers with ad- equate parking and eating facilities, and decent showers and toilets. It comes after Prime Minister TheresaMaytold Helen Whately she was aware of the problem and her ministerial teamwas looking into the issue. The comments from Unite fol- low a written statement toMPsfrom transport minister John Hayes, which, the union says is still “too much talk and not enough action”. Unite’s Adrian Jones said: “The
road haulage industry contributes billions a year to the British econ-
omy, but the drivers who contribute to this wealth often have to park up in isolated lay-bys and unappealing industrial estates for the night. “Too many haulage bosses are
quite happy for their drivers to leave the depot and as long as they deliver the load and return on time, they are not overly concerned about how they sleep, eat and shower.Weknow that this is a particular issue for Kent County Council. “Unite is pleased that the govern-
ment has at long last recognised the important role road transport work- ers play in the economy. “However, the ideal would be spe-
cialist lorry parks for lorry drivers – safe, secure and clean, with modern facilities you would expect from the world’s sixth largest economy, un- derpinned by a statutory code of practice that both public and pri- vately-owned facilities should ad- here to.” The transport minister has said a contract has been awarded for “an extensive national survey of lorry parking”, which should be finished by the spring.
Awards for crime-fighters
KENT Police have recognised more than half a dozen Maidstone people at an awards ceremony at Aylesford Priory. DC Tracey Brightman, witness care supervisor Marian Evans and
former trading standards officer JeremyMarsh were praised for their work in tracking down three people involved in a conspiracy to sell sick and dangerous horses. The offenders were jailed at Maidstone Crown Court in July 2016 following a three-year investigation. DC Gary Holden and PC Jim Harness were awarded for helping to convict three men responsible formore than 50 burglaries in spring 2016 that ended with a dramatic collision and car-jacking on the M20. Special Sergeant Alex Spreckley (above left), based in Maidstone, was
awarded for helping to arrest two drug dealers in the town centre. Other recipients from Maidstone were: Insp Jody Gagan-Cook, from
the town’s community safety unit, for her role as the divisional lead on domestic abuse and PC Kristina Howlett, from the local district policing team, for her professionalism and dedication. Glenda Crittenden (above right), from Maidstone, was recognised for
her work highlighting the dangers of knife crime as part of an education projects. Her son Tomdied following a stabbing in Maidstone in 2011. PCSO Dave Earl was also praised for his role in this initiative.
downsmail.co.uk
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Malling January 2017
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