News


Repair to bridge delayed by rain


BAD weather was blamed for the delay in reopening of Peters Bridge while it was revealed that an approach road must also re- main closed to vehicles for longer than expected. The bridge across the River Med-


way, near Snodland, was due to close for eight days at the end of January because incorrect expan- sion joints had been fitted to both ends of the roadway deck and foot- paths. But remedial work by site contractor BAM Nuttall was post- poned for aweek. A day before the rescheduled re- opening, a further setback due to rain was announced by developer Trenport. As Downs Mail went to press, the £19m bridge was ex- pected to be fully operational again by Thursday, February 9. ATrenport spokesman said: “It is regrettable that BAM Nuttall was unable to advise of the extended closure until this morning, less than 24 hours before the bridgewas due to re-open. Trenport also appreci- ates that this extended closure to all traffic including walkers and cy- clists can only add to delay and in-


convenience to the many who have benefited from using this new Medway crossing. “There is no danger to the public


from having the incorrect joints in place, but it could affect the long term life of the bridge so, reluc- tantly, we had to allow BAM Nut- tall to address the issue.” Built by Trenport as the key to its 1,000-home Peters Village, the bridge opened in September, and links the development near Would- ham to the A228 on the opposite bank. The developer has also an- nounced that problems with traffic lights on the Hall Road Greenway approach to the bridge have not been resolved, so direct access from Wouldham must remain closed. The route was due to open in September, at the same time as the bridge, but this was postponed until mid-January whileBAMNut- tall worked on an issue with the ve- hicle detection system on the lights. As Downs Mail went to press, Trenport said the contractor was still working on the problem and an updatewas promised shortly.


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downsmail.co.uk Vandals ‘put lives at risk’


YOBS who wrecked a defibrillator at Ditton just fivemonths after it was installed, have put lives at risk, say councillors. The life-saving equipment was installed in an old BT phone box on


the corner of Nursery Road andWoodlands Road last August in a joint effort by Tracey Crouch MP, Kent County Cllr Peter Homewood and borough Cllr BenWalker (pictured). However, it was targeted


by vandals between 10pm on Saturday, January 28, and 3am next day. CllrWalker said: “This


callous act of vandalism endangers the lives the defibrillator is there to save”. Borough council colleague Daniel Markham said: “There should be an automatic custodial sentence for anyone deliberately damaging these life-saving facilities.” Miss Crouch, who has


campaigned to get defibrillators installed throughout her Chatham and Aylesford constituency, appealed for anyone with information to contact the police. She said: “This mindless vandalism is not big or clever and it endangers lives.” Anyone with information is asked to call


police on 01622 604100, quoting YY/2517/17, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.


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