Where I live... East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council


Litter picks Parish councillors have been involved in litter picks at Four Acres, East Malling; in Larkfield: and at Clare Lake. Four Acres also involved removing dumped black sacks out of the nearby Sweets Pond and clearing part of the path from Rocks Road to Four Acres of overgrowth. The section to Kiln Barn Lane, Ditton has been reported to KCC as more cutting back is needed.


Aylesford Newsprint Work has started on demolishing the former mill and buildings. Meanwhile the planning application for a mixture of business use and housing development remains undecided. A revised master plan plus more information about drainage and flooding risks is awaited, plus projected traffic impacts. The parish council has welcomed making some of the land between the railway and river an open space. Network Rail has made suggestions for improvement to Aylesford station and the parish has asked New Hythe be included too.


Bus Service 71 Residents continue to press for the re-instatement of service no 71 to the northern section of Lunsford Lane which was withdrawn when the route was extended to Snodland station earlier this year. An approach has been made to the new local manager of Arriva. The lack of any consultation about this change has been


stressed and the inconvenience to many elderly people who used to use the bus and live in the Lunsford area. They now have an uphill walk to the nearest bus stops.


Old Chalk Downs project An officer has now been appointed to lead this project covering the North Downs and also part of the foreground including the area north of Leybourne Way. This means it includes the country park plus Abbey Meads and Snodland Common lakes. One objective is to improve the waymarking of paths.


Rocks Close Green Developers approached the parish council about selling the green for development. The council declined the offer and is now registering the land as an official village green so it has added protection in the future.


Overgrowth of public pathsWe are now at the time of the year when the public footpaths are getting overgrown and the riverside path at New Hythe; that by the railway: and the path between Larkfield allotments and the school have all been reported to KCC Footpaths for attention.


East Malling Village Hall. New heaters are to be fitted in the village hall to replace the existing ones, some of which do not work properly. The work should be carried out soon while we are still in the summer.


West Malling Parish Council


Macey’s Meadow. The Committee recently judged the Macey’s Meadow logo competition and are pleased to announce that the winning logo was designed by Ian Friday.


The new logo will be on display at the meadow’s Apple Fest, which is to be held on September 23 between 2pm and 5pm. Come along for a wonderful afternoon.


West Malling Village Hall. It was announced at the May AGM that the Hallmark Level 3 Application had been successful. The committee thanked Chris Gosney for all his hard work in the previous 12 months, enabling the hall to run successfully, to secure a new grant and for keeping maintenance costs to the minimum. Thanks also to all committee members and trustees for their continued hard work.


To raise funds for the replacement of the roof, the village hall has recently taken part in the West Malling Tesco Bags of Help scheme and they are awaiting to see if they


have been successful.


Allotments. There are a number of vacant plots at the Ryarsh Lane allotments. If you are interested in growing your own produce and are resident within the West Malling parish, you can secure a plot for a refundable deposit of £25.00 and a current yearly rent of £12.50. Please contact the parish clerk on 01732 870872 for further information.


West Malling Parish Council has just launched the following community projects:


Speedwatch To help reduce speeding across West Malling, the parish council are relaunching their Speedwatch scheme. If you are interested in becoming involved to cut speeds in your road, (and you live within the parish of West Malling), please contact the parish clerk on 01732 870872 or complete the online form which can be found on our website – www.westmallingpc.org


Community Gardening Do you enjoy


LOCAL CONTACTS Trudy Dean, Malling Action Partnership Chairman E: trudy.dean@kent.gov.uk T: 01732 843 119 Citizens Advice Bureau – T: 01732 440488 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council main switchboard – T: 01732 844522


gardening? There are a lot of opportunities to get involved and keep West Malling looking beautiful. If you are interested, please contact the parish clerk on 01732 870872 or complete the online form which can be found on our website - www.westmallingpc.org All abilities welcome.


Fire hydrantsWest Malling Parish Council has recently agreed to sign up to the Fire Hydrant Initiative project which is jointly run by Kent Fire and Rescue Service and the Kent Association of Local Councils. KFRS are looking for volunteers to do a monthly visual check on fire hydrants within West Malling, with each volunteer being allocated a chosen street or streets; if a defect is found this can then be reported. This does not replace the regular checks undertaken by Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Perhaps an ideal job if you enjoy a regular stroll around the town? Interested? Please contact the clerk on 01732 870872


Quiet Lanes, East Malling. County Cllr Trudy Dean is looking to replace the missing and damaged signs marking the Quiet Lanes area around Well Street/ Broadwater Road in East Malling.


A20/New Hythe Lane junction. The parish council has seen KCC draft plans either to redesign this junction with a roundabout plus zebra crossings or remove the bus lane and redesign to improve traffic flows. This is part of a scheme looking at all the A20 junctions. The parish council has told KCC that it prefers the redesign keeping traffic lights and pedestrian lights too to cross the road. It feels this is also a busy junction with many people crossing with businesses both sides of the road, A roundabout would not work in this location. It has repeated the need for a yellow box and repainting Keep Clear on the road at the Larkfield Road junction.


Additional walk. Parish council chairman David Thornewell is to lead an additional circular walk, this time out of the parish, to use the new riverside path from Aylesford Village to Allington Lock and back on the other side of the river. This will be on Sunday, August 6, starting at 2.30pm from the car park next to the “new” bridge. Return via Little Preston on the other side of the river. About 3.5miles. Mostly flat. Stop at Allington Lock.


Travel Enquiries


Trains – T: 08457 484950


Nu-Venture Buses – T: 01622 882288


Arriva Buses – T: 0871 200 22 33


Pothole reporting – T: 08458 247800


Police - non-emergency T: 101


www.malling.org.uk


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