News


Complaints over retail park limit


ABUSY shopping complex altered its plans for a two-hour parking limit after a barrage of complaints from customers on social media. South Aylesford Retail Park an- nounced it would be restricting free parking for customers to two hours from Saturday, July 1, “to improve everyone’s experience”. Within 24 hours, it eased the time


limit to three hours, apologising and blaming a “technical error”. How- ever, many shoppers posted Face- book comments insisting itwas still not long enough. The car park and feeder roads at


South Aylesford Retail Park in Quarry Wood, have become increas- ingly congested as owners The Crown Estate have added more out- lets to their already popular offering, including an M&S food hall and Costa Coffee. More fast food units, including a Nando’s, are nearing completion. As well as the maxi- mum three hours free stay, a two- hour return limitwas also imposed, along with number recognition cam- eras to monitor the car park. The site has attracted frequent complaints about gridlock, with


Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch protesting when shewas stuck there for 35 minutes. She said traffic at Quarry Wood


could be “horrendous”, but felt that the problemwas more todo with the junction on theA20 London Road.A better flow in parking capacity, along with more sensible phasing of traffic lights, might ease the situa- tion, but the restriction could lead to an increase in staff parking on nearby residential roads, said Miss Crouch. A spokesman for the retail park


said: “Our aim is for the car park to support shoppers visiting our stores and so, following extensive con- sumer research,we will be introduc- ing a three-hour limit for free parking. SouthAylesford is a hugely popular destination, andwe have es- tablished this free period in accor- dance with research on the length of time our visitors spend with us.” “The new parking arrangements, coupled with a non-return within two hours, will ensure easier access throughout the day, and will enable even more shoppers to shop with us.”


downsmail.co.uk Guides’ challenge awards


TWOmembers of 1stWateringbury Guides have been presented with their Baden-Powell Challenge Awards – the highest accolade that Guides can achieve. To earn the award, Poppy Isted (left) and Rachel Peal (right), both 14


and from Wateringbury, had to complete 10 challenges covering topics such as global awareness, celebrating diversity and healthy lifestyles. They finished off the challenge by going on a special Baden- Powell adventure weekend with Guides from throughout Kent. Poppy and Rachel


received their awards at theWateringbury Scout and Guide headquarters from District Commissioner Lesley Barker during a celebration with other Guides, leaders and parents.


Speedwatch helpers needed


THREE people came forward following a request by Kings Hill Parish Council for volunteers to set up a Speedwatch group. They are now undergoing online training, but more helpers are still needed to help the project be viable over a long term. After online training, there is training from Kent Police and a famil- iarisation session with the equipment. For more details, visit communityspeedwatch.co.uk or contact 01732870382.


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