News
Union focuses on fly-parking
TRANSPORT union Unite has joined Maidstone campaigners in a call on Government for lorry parks to rid the roads of illegally parked HGVs. It follows concerns from parish councils including Thurnham and Boxley about the nuisance, labelled ‘fly parking’ by Mid-KentMPHelen Whately when she raised the issue recently in the Commons. 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 Theresa May told
Helen Whately shewas aware of the problem and her ministerial team is
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Leeds Castle’s cuts as revenues tumble
LEEDS Castle management starts 2017 with the prospect of making savings after a year of increased visitor numbers but reduced income. That was the stark warning from
the treasure house’s chief executive Sir David Steel, writing in the Leeds and Broomfield parish magazine. Terrorism in European cities such
as Nice, in southern France, de- terred tourists who would normally bring higher spending power than British visitors. Now significant capital projects
looking in to the issue. The issue of illegally-parked lorries is all to fa- miliar on the A20, pictured above. Comments from Unite follow a written statement to MPs from 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 thiswealth 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. We know 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.”
Beth’s classes
MAIDSTONEartist Beth Hannant is offering art classes for accomplished artists and novices in 2017. Beth, from Langley, will be taking
classes ofupto eight people for three hours aweek over sixweeks. Contact the artist, who trained at
the Royal College ofArt and theVic- toria and Albert Museum, on 01622 863096 or
beth.hannant@gmail.com. The mother of two boys is a well- knownfigure has alsoworked on an acclaimed project at Leeds Castle.
18 Maidstone East February 2017
are to be shelved and ways of find- ing savings are also being sought, said Sir David. The castle boss also takes the op- portunity to apologise for the traf- fic issues that events – such as the recent Christmas market – bring to local roads. Sir David writes in the January edition:"We head into the new year with the joy of increased visitor numbers since last year, but re- duced income. Terrorism in Europe earlier in 2016 meant significantly reduced numbers of overseas visi- tors, who tend to bring with them significant purchasing power. "Certain capital projects have had
to be postponed andwe are looking at furtherways of making savings. “I am delighted to say, therefore,
that, through the real hard work of all who work here, we will make nearly £20,000 of savings in energy costs compared with 2015/16 and we will be making further changes to make us even more energy-effi-
community. He writes: "There have been complaints, of course, mostly to do with traffic congestion on the A20 and for this, I apologise. “We do all we possibly can to manage traffic, to ease the flow of cars along the A20 and through the lanes around the estate, but the roads configuration is not in our favour. I just hope that our neigh- bours and those who pass Leeds Castle...will understand.” Ukip borough councillor Eddie
Leeds Castle CEO Sir David Steel
cient." Sir David acknowledged again the issue of castle traffic to the local
Powell, who lives near the castle, said: “Perhaps Leeds Castle’s rea- sons for the income reduction could sound like excuses. Sometimes peo- ple can hide behind issues like ter- rorism while the poor old castle staff will worry they’re for the chop.”
Smart security measures
LEEDS Castle has invested in its own unique formula of Smart- Water to protect key assets on the 500-acre estate near Maid- stone. In a warning to potential
thieves, the castle’s security team announced that the invisi- ble marker is being used to strengthen its security measures. Kelvin Wood, security man- ager at the 12th century castle,
said: “Smartwater technology is a cost-effective deterrent and fits in as part of our overall security measures to protect the castle and its artefacts.” However, he would not be
drawn on what items have been marked. SmartWater glows yellow
under UV light and only a trace is required to identify where it was stolen from.
Apprentice Stephanie wins award
AMAIDSTONE woman is one of four Kent County Council apprentices who have won awards for their work. The Apprentice of the Year awards, which recognise
the contribution that apprentices make to the council, were presented by its leader Paul Carter at a ceremony attended by the winners’ families and managers. Stephanie Broom (22) has worked for the council for
18 months and is studying a level 3 qualification in business administration. She helps arrange school admission and transport appeals and won the award for the strategic and corporate directorate. She said: “I love it. I enjoyed studying childcare at
college and when I read the job description for this post, I really liked how it involves working with children and families.” Other winners were Zoe Hardingham from
Folkestone, Ellie-Jo Isaacs from Ashford and Emma Payne, from Rochester. Cllr Carter said: “Not only are we proud of the way
KCC has embraced the apprenticeship scheme, but we have been trying to convince the government that apprenticeships are the best way for many young people to enter the workplace, as long as they receive the mentoring and support they need.”
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