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downsmail.co.uk M-way diversion causes uproar
RECKLESS drivers being diverted off the M20 are causing huge concerns for residents in rural areas of Maidstone – and a “spike” in the amount of wildlife killed by vehicles. Overnight resurfacing works
have led to closures between junc- tions six and eightof the motorway most commonly used by vehicles heading to the Port of Dover. A diversion is in place advising
drivers to use the M2, which is a significant detour, and as a result, a number of vehicles are staying on the motorway until the last possi- ble moment. Sat-navs then take them through
areas such as Penenden Heath and Sandling, where the roads are ill- equipped to cope with the in- creased volume of traffic. Cllr Tony Harwood, pic- tured, raised the issue at Boxley Parish Council’s Oc- tober meeting, saying: “The information on the M20 closures has left much to be desired. “We have HGVs thundering through roads, and the speed vehi- cles are travelling is causing much consternation. “The last couple of weeks have
been dreadful. The traffic issueswe are facing are akin to Operation
Stack. The prolonged closures will impact on various parts of the town.” More work is due on the M20
early in 2018 as a section of it be- comes a ‘Smart Motorway’, and Cllr Harwood, a Liberal Democrat representing the North Ward on Maidstone Borough Council, is fearful for more traffic issues. “HGVs and speeding traffic are
diverting through residential roads in north Maidstone,” he added. “Neither Highways England nor Kent County Council have legal powers to prevent such local ‘rat running’.
“Residents of Penenden Heath
and Sandling have had to put up with reckless speeding and foun- dation-shaking traffic night after night.Wildlife commuting between
Top tips to help reduce roadkill
ACCORDING to the Badger Trust, there are three main ways to avoid killing or injuring wildlife on the roads. SLOW DOWN – animals can appear out of nowhere very quickly, par- ticularly in the hours between dusk and dawn. Badgers are at their busiest between now and November. So keep your speed down and de- crease the chance of hitting animals crossing the road. REPORT – you can help the Badger Trust gather data on wildlife fatality hot spots so that it can gather evi- dence for mitigation efforts such as warning signs, tunnels and bridges.
www.badger.org.uk/report SHARE – encourage others to prac- tise the above but also help spread the word by following the relevant groups on social media, which is a powerful tool.
the nature reserves at Cuckoo Wood and The Chestnuts flanking the western stretch of Sandling Lane is also being caught out by the speed and volume of the diverted motorway traffic. The spike in roadkill, including foxes and badg- ers, is all too clear. “Local councillors have been in- undated with calls and emails from residents affected by the re-routing of the M20 traffic and are in discus- sions with KCC and latterly High- ways England to resolve this unacceptable state of affairs. Kent Police have also been approached in relation to the high speed of much of this diverted traffic. “The proposed formal diversion
route is via the M2 (a round trip of more than 20 miles). It is inevitable that traffic will divert via A20 Ash- ford Road, New Cut and Bearsted Road, Ware Street, The Street and Roundwell. “There is a real concern thatHGV
drivers, who do not know the area, could follow their sat-nav devices and become trapped at the Bell rail- way bridge inWare Street.” Work between junctions six and
seven should be completed by Oc- tober 13, but three days later work will start between junctions seven and eight, lasting for two months.
Sex offender’s 23 year stretch
A RAPIST who carried out a series of sex attacks against females – some in the Maidstone area - has been jailed. Jamie Tay- lor (42), right, was sentenced to 23 years in prison after being found guilty of a string of physical and emotional at- tacks spanning 11 years.
Entente cordiale is music to choir’s ears
MAIDSTONE Choral Union has been providing music to the ears of our French counterparts in the county’s twin town of Beauvais. The choir earned a standing
ovation from French music fans at St Peter’s – the highest vaulted cathedral in Europe at 48 metres. Led by Marion Weller, their concert included work by English composers Elgar, MalcomArcher, John Stainer and Howard
12 Malling October 2017
Goodall, with a little Mozart added for good measure. The choir then teamed up with their French colleagues to perform John Lennon’s Imagine. Afterwards, Cllr David Pickett, chorister and president of Maid- stone Choral Union, said: “I very much hope that this visit will pave the way for further cultural ex- changes between the twin towns.” The choir’s next concert is
Gilbert and Sullivan’s comedy The Mikado at Mote Hall Leisure Centre, Maidstone, on Saturday, October 28. The event is in aid of Voices for Hospices and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets for the events are available at
www.maidstone-
choralunion.org.uk. The choral union was formed in 1902. The link between Maid- stone and Beauvais twinning as- sociations goes back to 1961.
After a trial at Canterbury Crown Court, which heard Taylor com- mitted multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, along with other crimes including making threats to kill, false imprisonment, possessing a firearm and perverting the course of justice. Taylor, previously of Flimwell, East Sussex, was sentenced on Sep- tember 22 for the offences, carried out between 2006 and this year. Detective Sergeant Michelle Burgess of Kent Police said: “I hope this lengthy sentence sends a strong message to other victims of sexual abuse that you do not need to suffer in silence.”
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