downsmail.co.uk
Ramblin’ Man hotline for noise complaints
ACOMPLAINTS line number has been released by Maidstone Coun- cil ahead of this weekend’s Ram- blin’ Man concert in Maidstone. The Mote Park venue, which has
been at the centre of complaints about noise, will host the rock festi- val for the third year from Friday, July 28. With over 60 bands playing across
an extended three-day period, the line-up is set to include notorious noise-makers such as Saxon, Iron Maiden guitarist Steve Harris’ band British Lion and Reef, as well as some of America’s hardest rock names including ZZ Top. Criticism of the sound-busting
Fair has been playeddownby Maid- stone Council, which has endeav- oured to manoeuvre stages, sound systems and noise recording equip- ment to soothe residents who have complained about the noise from as far as three miles away. Even the event organisers this year
have expanded their discount ticket offer to residents in more than 30 streets close to the venue in an effort to win support for the event, de-
scribed by Classic Rock magazine as “the best new festival in Britain”. Maidstone Council, which said it
would write to local residents with a manned phone number to deal with complaints - which was a source of criticism last year - agreed to release the number to the Downs Mail after a specific request from resident Robin Giles. Despite living a mile-and-a-half
from the venue, he says noise levels exceeded permitted limits. He wrote to Maidstone Council demanding a phone line for this
year’s event that would allow early intervention. Mr Giles, from CopsewoodWay, Bearsted, said: “Prior to the event I urge Maidstone Council officers to put in place proper measures to eliminate noise pollution and adver- tise on its web site a manned tele- phone number that residents affected can make their views known so that where there are breaches in the noise levels, action can be taken.” A spokesman for Maidstone Council said: “A letter is still going out to residents in the vicinity of the park to give them all information.” Residents can contact the Ramblin’
Man helpline on 01622 809810 or email
info@ramblinmanfair.com. The line will be manned from 3-
11pm on the Friday; 11am-11.30pm on the Saturday and 11am-11pm on the Sunday. However, callers are re- minded: “Please note that there are limited operators. Once a call is logged please do not make multiple calls about the same issue as this may prevent other residents from using the helpline.”
News
Driver cheats jail - but must
do services ABANNEDdriver cheated prison despite being convicted of a string of offences. Paul Anthony Lamming was sentenced on June 23 at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court. He had pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving, driving with- out insurance, failing to stop after a road accident and using threat- ening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, butwas convicted of the offences by magistrates. On June 14, 2016, the 43-year-
old, of Willow Crescent, Staple- hurst, drove an Audi in Gybbon Rise, Staplehurst, dangerously and with no insurance. He also failed to stop the vehicle
after a road accident, where dam- agewas caused to another vehicle, and used threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour towards a man, causing him harassment, alarm and distress. Magistrates sentenced Lamming
to 63 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, banned him from driving for 15 months and ordered him to carry out 150 hours of un- paid work in the next 12 months. He must also pay a £1,250 fine, £250 compensation.
Maidstone August 2017
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