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downsmail.co.uk Stuart’s country cleaning plan
ANTI-LITTER campaigner Stuart Olsson has a vision for a countrywide clean-up based on the project he founded in Larkfield.
Mr Olsson, who has the backing
of Tonbridge and Malling Council, is working to get his scheme rolled out nationwide and has high- lighted its success to Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs(DEFRA). The Voluntary Litter Code (VLC)
was devised six years ago by Mr Olsson, who retired in 2001 after a 35-year career with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. He has promoted the scheme, in- volving the local PCSO, borough and parish councils. The project was so popular in East Malling and Larkfield, where businesses rang- ing from a bank to a mobile snack bar have signed up, that it now op- erates in Snodland, Ditton, Ley- bourne and Tonbridge. The code involves firms signing
up to pledge to keep their premises litter-free, with monthly independ- ent assessments and certificates to those who achieve full marks for 12 months running. As a result of his campaign,
Rail crossing
wait ‘reduced’ A RAILWAY problem which has caused misery for commuters on the roads around Aylesford has been fixed. MPTracey Crouch launched a fu-
rious tirade at rail bosses about traf- fic chaos caused by the barrier being down at the Station Road crossing in the run-up to Christmas. It emerged that issues with a rail- way bridge in Lewisham had re- sulted in slow-moving freight trains being diverted through Aylesford, requiring the barrier to be closed more often and for longer. Network Rail said that work on
the bridge would have to be post- poned, as the line to London could not be closed until after the festive shopping rush. Miss Crouch said the company
had now informed her that the work had been completed and freight restrictions had been lifted, meaning that there would be fewer trains on the Medway Valley line. She said: “The chaos experienced throughout Aylesford due to the barrier being down for so long should be reduced. “I daren't say over, because there
is an increase in the amount of traf- fic coming through the village at peak times and with lengthy bar- rier closures due to crossing trains there is still potential for occasional queues. However, I am hopeful that we won't see the severe prob- lems experienced since October.”
4 Malling January 2017
nationwide, but more people are needed to come forward to do it. All that is required is for VLC to be promoted.” Tonbridge and Malling Council,
Campaigner Stuart Olsson (far right) celebrates the award of litter code certificates to Leybourne Lakes Country Park
DEFRA has agreed to investigate ways of imposing anti-litter condi- tions in the planning process. Mr Olsson says the code is a sim-
ple and effective means of reduc- ing, and hopefully eliminating litter and can be easily introduced in
communities across the country at virtually no cost. One of the best ways would be to persuade schools to adopt the code, so that children grow up with pride in their envi- ronment. Mr Olsson said: “It would work
Travellers leave rubbish
AFRIDGE and children’s toyswereamongapile of rubbish left after travellers camped at the entrance to a homes development site near Snodland. The heap ofwaste also in-
cluded wrapping paper and two Christmas trees, com- pletewith tinselandbaubles. About six caravansmoved
onto land owned by Tarmac, at the roundabout at Hol- borough Road, leading to Peter’s Village at the end of December. The site is sur- rounded by concrete blocks but it is thought the group gained access by removing bollards on a cyclepath. Nearby residents con-
tacted AyeslefordMP Tracey Crouch, who told them: “I texted the chief con- stable as soon as I saw it on Facebook. They will work with the appropriate authorities to remove them as quickly as possible.” The groupwas said to have left after two days.
which currently spends £1.2million a year on clearing litter and flytip- ping, says it can recommend that new businesses sign up for the VLC but is unable to add stipulations to the planning process. However, it has raised the suggestion at a meet- ing with DEFRA, which has agreed to look into it. Dennis Gardner, Tonbridge and Malling Council’s head of waste services, said: “We were invited to present the VLC and other local ini- tiatives to a DEFRA Community Engagement Group in October 2016.
“The issue of including VLC
within planning, licencing or trade waste agreements was raised and DEFRA agreed to include it in their further research, in advance of a na- tional litter strategy being pub- lished later this year.”
Driving ban ANAylesfordmanhas been given a three-year ban for drink-driving. BenWalton (30), of London Road
East, Aylesford, was sentenced at West Kent Magistrates’ Court where he admitted the charge. He drove a Renault Traffic in New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, and gave a breath test of 75mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The limit is 35mg. Walton must also pay a £110 fine, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Lier-pick haul A PUSHCHAIR, sink pedestal, wellies and a bra were among the rubbish collected by villagers during a litter-pick at Birling. The haul of 14 sacks of discarded mess also in- cluded an industrial saw, an oil drum and a box of 500Wiltshire Air Ambulance car stickers.
Yellow lines anger estate residents
Continued from page one Homes, said: “The adoption of roads by the county council means the management of parking passes to the local authority and this is a good opportunity for residents to com- ment on the arrangements. “We are working closely with homeowners and the authorities to ensure the ultimate parking control measures meet the requirements of the majority.” Cllr Lettington said that while progress was being made, it could take months to unpick the mess, and
he warns the issue of limited park- ing provision is set to rear its head elsewhere. Problems are already being seen at Kings Hill and Ley- bourne Lakes. He said: “Parking on this estate
has been a problem on and off since the development was approved, with an allowance of 1.5 cars per property. Some people moved here because they liked the fact that cars could be limited and commercial ve- hicles were banned while the roads were managed by Berkeley Homes. But these covenants cannot be en-
forced on public highways. “Unfortunately, if there isn’t ade-
quate parking, people will simply leave their vehicles elsewhere, as residents near this estate in Hol- borough Road and Malling Road well know, and this is unfair. So, now might be the time for the county council to review its policy on parking provision.” Residents are invited to attend the public meeting, chaired by Cllr Let- tington, at the Devonshire Rooms, Snodland, from 7.45pm onWednes- day, January 25.
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