News New Downs


Mail deputy THE Downs Mail has a new deputy editor.


Jon Phipps, 36, has been ap-


pointed to the role, replacing long-serving Diane Nicholls, who left in September for fam- ily reasons.


Jon, who grew up in Kent,


has, in his ownwords, lived in “all four corners of England”, having earned a degree in journalism in Preston, Lan- cashire, worked at the Press Association in Yorkshire for four years and spent time at the Bristol Evening Post. He waswith LocalWorld for three years and his most recent role was at the Police Federation of England &Wales.


He said: “I’ve always been a


firm believer in the impor- tance of local newspapers and their role in the community, and there is no finer proof of that than the DownsMail.


“I’m enjoying getting to


know people and I’d love to hear from anyone who has anything theywould like us to cover.”


Call 01622 734735 or jon.phipps@downsmail.co.uk.


downsmail.co.uk


Call to clamp truckers for parking illegally


A SCHEME to clamp nuisance lorry drivers being trialled on the A20 should become a permanent fixture inMaidstone and through- outKent, it has been claimed. The national project is being tried


out in Ashford, which has suffered similar problems toMaidstonewith rogue truckers parking illegally. The vehicle drivers – many of


themforeign – pull up in lay-bys, in- dustrial estates, service stations, soft verges andvillage car parks in order to avoid paying overnight charges. But they cause damage and leave


human waste behind and, in some cases, attract prostitutes plying their trade. Ukip borough councillor Eddie


Powell, a long-time campaigner against rogue activities associated with antisocial parking, said he would even “help out” in clamping offenders. Cllr Powell said the current sys-


temofmoving on offending drivers with the occasional ticket “is simply notworking”. Ashford's 18-month clamping trial is launched on October 30, and will


enforced overweekends. "It's a great idea," saidCllr Powell,


"and the sooner they bring some- thing in over here inMaidstone, the better. I'll even go out andhelp them put the clamps onmyself. "With clamping, they have to pay


to be released so it will send ames- sage to the truck firms acrossEurope not to park in Kent. They'll get the message. "Lorry drivers entering this coun-


try just think they can park where they like and do what they like, in- cluding leaving filth behind them." But former trucker John Tweddell


Cllr Eddie Powell wants a ban on illegal lorry parking


stop HGV drivers parking between Charing and the Drovers round- about after complaints from resi- dents. Under the scheme, the ban runs


from8pmto 7amMonday to Friday, and drivers will have to pay a £250 fine to get the clamp released. But the ban will not be in operation or


wrote on Facebook: “As an ex-HGV driver, this is a ridiculous idea. The council orwhoever needs toprovide decent affordableparking areas first. Theparking issue is one of themany reasons I left the industry.” Conservative MP HelenWhately


has also been campaigning for tougher action on “fly-parking”. She said earlier this year: “People


have been putting upwith noise, lit- tering andunhygienic behaviour as- sociated with fly-parking for too long.”


COUNTY COBBLER


How to find us:- We are in The Mall-


Chequers Centre- five shops in from the main entrance on the right hand side, next door to Virgin Media.


KEYS*


• Watch repairs, batteries & straps replaced


• We specialise in men’s leather soles stitched on.


• We can replace ZIPS on the premises within 24 hours.


• NEWSPECIALISED key cutting – i.e. tubular, multi-lock security


• MOST car keys cut


• Engraving Service – we can also supply trophies & tankards


• Zippo Lighters


Yale type £5 2 for £7.50 3 for £10!!! We also cut


Mortice, Chubb


Security & most car keys


*from the same key


While U Wait service available


www.facebook.com/Maidstoneshoerepairs


County Cobbler 370 The Mall, Dukes Walk, Chequers Centre • 01622 297600


12 Maidstone Weald November 2017


Prompt


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