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News Concrete cancer


at the bus stop DECAYING concrete bus stops throughout Kent will be getting a makeover during the next few weeks. Kent County Council has begun replacing hundreds of old bus stop poles withnewmodern alternatives. It says the project, which will con-


tinue through February, will im- prove safety and allow for more efficient maintenance. There are 235 concrete bus stop


poles in the county, with the major- ity in a poor state of repair.A num- ber of the poles also have “concrete cancer”, which happens when the steel core rusts, and are likely to de- teriorate further or collapse if left un- treated. A spokesman said: “The project


will enable information to be brought up to date, will ensure that timetables and flags are easier to re- place in the future and thenewpoles are also safer than their concrete predecessors in the event of an acci- dent. Disruption to traffic and resi- dents will be kept to a minimum whilst works are conducted with lo- calised traffic management in place where necessary.” Work at each bus stop will take 30 minutes to an hour and will include refreshing bus stop clearway mark- ers where necessary.


Failures led to mother’s death


THE death of Offham Primary School teacher Frances Cappuccini was a result of failures, inadequate diagnosis and treatment, a coroner has ruled.


Nicknamed Mrs Coffee by her pupils, the 30-year-old mum (pic- tured) suffered bleeding followed by a fatal cardiac arrest at Pembury Hospital, shortly after giving birth to her second son, Giacomo, by Cae- sarean section. A10-day inquest into her death on October 9, 2012, heard from experts and staff fromMaidstone and Tun- bridgeWells Trust. Coroner Roger Hatch said that the Caesarean was not carried out with care and a piece of placenta should not have been left behind. The fail- ure led to the of events which cost her life, he said.He also criticised the management of fluid levels. Following the inquest, Mrs Cap- puccini’s husband, Tom, and her family, said: “Frankie was a won- derful wife, mother, daughter and sister. She was bubbly, intelligent, beautiful, loving and much loved. “Failures of Maidstone and Tun- bridge Wells NHS Trust and those


employed by the trust cost Frankie her life. Nothing can heal that pain. At least today, after four years, the truth is acknowledged.” In a statement, Maidstone and


TunbridgeWells Hospital Trust of- fered “sincere apologies” to Mrs Cappuccini’s fam- ily and said changes had been made. It said: “Patient


safety remains of paramount impor- tance to the trust. The trust has how- ever recognised that there were aspects of Frances’ care that fell short of the standards that the trust would expect and we wish to once again sincerely apologise to the family “The trust will carefully consider


all of the evidence heard at the in- quest to ensure that any necessary changes which have not already been made are fully addressed.” In 2015, the trust was cleared of corporate manslaughter for her death and charges of gross negli- gence against anaesthetist Errol Cor- nishwere dropped.


downsmail.co.uk Driving ban


A MAN who drove while almost twice the legal limit for drink has been banned from driving. Taylor Kane (25) was sentenced


at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court where he admitted drink-driving. Kane, of Bower Mount Road, Maidstone, drove a Mini in Earl Street and gave a urine test of 205mg of alcohol in 100ml of urine. The legal limit is 107mg. Magistrates banned him from driving for 20 months. He must also pay a £270 fine, £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. Disqualification can be reduced


by 153 days if he satisfactorily completes a course approved by the Secretary of State, the cost of which will not exceed £250.


Cars damaged A MAIDSTONE man has been found guilty of damaging three cars in the town. The court was told Philip Priest,


of Chillington Street, damaged the vehicles in Arundel Street in Janu- ary last year. Priest had denied causing crimi-


nal damage, but was convicted of the offences and sentenced at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court. He was ordered to carry out 240


hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months. Priest must also pay £900 compensation and £600 costs.


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