News


downsmail.co.uk Fears over new homes traffic


ANEWjunction off the M20 serving a proposed redevelopment of the formerAylesford Newsprint site is unlikely, according to highways chiefs. In a reply to a direct question to


the county council, its cabinet member for transport, Matthew Balfour, said: “An additional junc- tion on the M20 has been consid- ered by Highways England, including a left in and left out arrangement and it has confirmed that a new junction would be con- trary to national design standards in terms of need and road safety.” He added that Highways Eng-


land also points out that an addi- tional junction would compromise its plan to turn the M20 between junctions 3 and 5 into a Smart Mo-


Mums get fit


for marathon Continued from page one


was planning to run a marathon as one of 40 events to celebrate her 40th birthday this year. Despite weighing more and


being less fit than they would have liked, the pair agreed to meet the challenge together. “By committing to help the char-


ity, we’re motivating each other to get more active,” they said. Mum-of-two Sue said: “Ataxia


slowly attacks the brain, making it harder to walk, talk and control your body; gradually becoming worse until people become de- pendent on others for all their needs. We couldn’t win my dad’s battle with ataxia, but by raising awareness and helping to fund re- search,we could help others.” Aswell as a busy round of fitness training and taking part in charity events, the duo secured a casting for Sport England’s This Girl Can ad campaign for TV and online. Lauren, who has a son and step- daughter, said: “I’ve dreamed of running the London Marathon since I was a child, but perhaps never believed that I could. “We were never picked first for


our school sports teams. We do wonder how we must look when we exercise. It doesn’t matter that you’re nowhere near as fit or thin as you used to be, or that you might finish last, or evenwalk some of the way. And it doesn’t matter that you’ll look awful the whole way round. What does matter is that you had the guts to have a go.” The pair have set up a Just Giv-


ing page to help raise their target of £4,000 and have received support and donations from businesses and community groups as well as Dame Kelly Holmes and Tracey Crouch MP. A fundraising yoga morning at Snodland Community Centre raised £325.


4 Malling February 2017 Police teach online safety


MALLINGprimary school pupils fromthe areahavebeengivenalessonby po- lice about staying safe on the internet. They visited Kent Police College in Maidstone for the workshop to coincide


with Safer Internet Day on February 7. Pupils were taught about cyber bullying, being aware of what to share on-


line and the child “report abuse” button. Theeducation drivecoincides with the appointmentofAylesfordMPTracey


Crouchas thenewminister for online safety. Miss Crouchhas said she is excited about expanding her portfolio to include internet safety.


torway in 2018 by incorporating the hard shoulder – traffic studies for which are underway. The question was put by county, borough and West Malling parish councillor Trudy Dean. It comes as residents around the 100-acre site remain united in their concern about the effect traffic from the pro- posed redevelopment of 450 homes, light industrial units, of- fices and warehouses would have on roads already “over capacity”. However, that unity has been


split, with some signing a petition calling for another junction on the


M20 to take the extra traffic, while others oppose the idea. Cllr Trudy Dean, who is also deputy Lib Dem leader on KCC, said: “If this new junction is to be built we need KCC to be objecting to the application until there is a proper investigation into it, and thenwe need the developers to pay for it.At the momentwe don't have either of those things.” It is just one of the headaches that


will have to be resolved by the would-be developers, who have just heard that they will need to provide detailed reports looking at


every aspect of how the site would be demolished before any work could begin. Tonbridge and Malling Council


has said a comprehensive Environ- mental Assessment taking account of all forms of disturbance, from dust to vibration and, in particular, how material will be removed from the site and along which routes, will be required. The would-be developers sug-


gest the work to clear the site – if trouble free - would take 40weeks, as explosives would not be used to dismantle the buildings.


Maress crash


victim named A 69-YEAR-OLD driver who is believed to have died after he swerved to avoid a mattress in the road was named as Clive Mauger, from Chatham. The man was pronounced dead


at the scene on Blue Bell Hill on Monday, January 30, after the silver Peugeot 206 hewas driving left the Maidstone-bound carriageway and collided with trees before rebound- ing back across the road. An in- quest into his death was opened at the Archbishop’s Palace, Maid- stone, onWednesday, February 8. The crash happened at about 4.35pm, and the road was closed until 11.20pm. Police said a mat- tress was in the carriageway at the time of the collision, having fallen from the roof of a red Peugeot 2008. Anyone who witnessed the colli-


sion is urged to call the appeal line on 01622 798538 quoting reference DS/DH/21/17, or email them at sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.


Community bid to saveGP surgery


Continued from page one surgery open for almost a year since itwas destined to close. “We are pleased that, while talks continue with all key parties, which include the landlord, the Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS and Woodlands Health Centre, which runs the satellite surgery, there is no fear of it closing.However, this situ- ation is not going to continue indef- initely and the issue is reaching its climax.” She added: “The NHS, CCG and Woodlands Health Centre have said that they have no money to put to- wards any refurbishment work, which in effect means that if the community and parish councilwant the surgery to remainwe must fund the work ourselves.”


The parish council says, given the amount of money involved, it must be guided by the community, 600 of whom signed an online petition to save it. It says earlier ideas of putting the question to a vote would cost in the region of £8,000, according to Tonbridge and Malling Council. ClivePowell, legal adviser for The


Kent Association of Local Councils, said: “This is unique in that we haven’t seen anything like this be- fore, with a parish council like East Peckham taking on the might of the health service. “Sadly, I fear this will become


more common as added pressure is placed on services. “We are delighted that East Peck-


ham Parish Council is providing leadership and imaginative solu-


tions for the community it serves to preserve existing facilities by work- ing with other sectors like the NHS to ensure quality health care is de- livered locally where possible.” The parish council understands


that once the building, which is also a training practice for GPs, is refur- bished, Woodlands Health Centre will enter into a new 10-year lease with the landlord and the NHS will continue to provide funding. Cllr Watson added: “People should look at the wider picture, even if they are not registered with a doctor here, in that the surgery is a village facility that could be used to deliver more community health services. “It also brings footfall to the vil- lage and its shops.”


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