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Maidstone Weald Edition October 2017 August 2018 Panto ahoy!


LANGLEY residents have expressed concerns about the traffic impact of 800 new homes on the A274 will have on the local country roads. DHA Plannings’s Chris Hawkins,


pictured at a recent developer’s ex- hibition, said the overall total has been reduced by 50 units and a roundabout should help ease con- gestion as will extra buses. Relief road campaigner Wendy


Youngworries that the A274 will become a ‘nightmare’.


5


THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid- stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto. On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Ste- fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza- beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Bor- zone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from


South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tick- ets go to www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.


Warning to drivers as crash blocks road


CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country road have been made by the local borough councillor.


Borough councillor Martin


Round, who helped control traffic on the day of the smash, is con- cerned that crashes will become more frequent if drivers continue to speed and behave thoughtlessly. Cllr Round says that Headcorn


has become a victimof its own suc- cess, attracting people to its shops because of traffic congestion in Maidstone. Speaking after the crash between


Burberry Lane, near Leeds and Broomfield, has been targeted by waste dumpers for years, but in re- cent months, the problem has be- come more acute. Constructionwaste, rubble, hard


core, windows and household fur- niture is left illegally – often strewn in the middle of the road. Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month


a car and a van on the A274 at 7.45am on July 18, he said: “I am not saying that the people involved in this crash were doing anything wrong, but for me, I had to reflect seriously about how people drive their cars.


we are having toilets, sinks and construction waste dumped in the village, specifically in Burberry Lane, where we are now thinking of installing cameras on private land, to oversee the problem area.” A recent event in Burberry Lane


saw a caravan burned out while a torched car remains on a footpath


“On the day of the crash, I was


helping the police and trying to find people alternative routes, as thewhole ofHeadcorn had become jammed. “People shouted atme and were


nearby, more than a year after it was dumped and set on fire. The church car park has also seen


many instances of illegal dumping. But it is a problem in many rural


rude because they’d been inconve- nienced.Onewoman even drove at my legs after suggesting Iwas a po- tential rapist!” Cllr Round hears regular com-


plaints about people driving badly and too fast through the village. He added: “I have seen people


trying to overtake in the centre of Headcorn. They drive too fast and too aggressively. “People like to come here and you can see why. It’s clean and


areas including Langley, Otham and Kingswood. Water Lane in Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have also been targeted recently. Last year, Maidstone Borough Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- ping and this year more than 163 have been recorded since April. The approaching darker evenings will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-


tive by the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency to clamp down on


A CAR crash in Headcorn which blocked the village for hours has prompted a stark warning from a local road safety campaigner.


CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping


friendly and has a great selection of shops. “It is a lot less hassle than getting


stuck in traffic going into Maid- stone, because everything is here. “I just wish drivers would slow


down and heed other drivers and behave in a courteousmanner, oth- erwise therewill bemore crashes.” On July 18, four people were in- jured in a crash on the railway bridge in Biddenden Road. Queues of traffic stretched back to Sutton Valence as the rescue and clearance operation was mounted. Kent Police have asked witnesses


or drivers with dash cam footage to get in touch with them on 01622 798538.


01622 690290 YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT


maidstone@martinco.com 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent


parish councillor, says teaching children about social responsibility and the issue of litter in schools will help take the issue off the streets. She believes with every household receiving a weekly refuse collection service, there is no excuse for litter being thrown from vehicles or dumped in the road.


Lorry park plan


RURAL residents, who face the prospect of a huge post-Brexit lorry park on their doorstep near Boughton Malherbe as Highways England searches for suitable sites, have held a public meeting. 4


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unlicensed waste carriers, but be- lieves the cost to small firms of dis- posing of construction waste at a transfer station is proving a deter- rent that is costing councils more. Cllr Fort made her remarks as


one of the borough’s closest trans- fer stations at North Farm, Tun- bridge Wells, announced it will be closed for 10weeks. She added: “If you go along the


line of increasing fines, they have to be enforced. A reduction in the charge or offering it free may have the desired similar effect.” Athree-monthly litter pick on the mile-long stretch of road through Leeds village produces an average 32 black sacks of rubbish.


Cllr Fort, who also serves as a Plan for 800 homes brings traffic concern


No. 1 newspaper downsmail.co.uk


Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper


FREE No. 246


FREE No. 256


News Kate, 107, dies News


Bumper grape harvest WINEMAKERS are predicting a bumber grape harvest this year after the hot weather brought perfect conditions. 3


KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son David has disclosed.


HELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.


Literacy winner


NEW Line Learning’s football- themed literacy scheme has proved a winner.


Doctor is retiring Good luck, Isobel


CORNWALLIS student Isobel Coltham (15) heads to Malawi on a mission.


Emily flies the flag


LIBERAL Democrat Emily Fermor is championing the rain- bow flag for gay rights.


Obituaries Obituaries


15 32


14 MP’s Local Plan bid 4 Plans for Dr Nigel


THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet will walk the Grand Canyon for charity. 12


6


POPULAR GP Anthony Fincham is retiring from his suc- cessful practice.


Jason Donovan date 10


THE former Neighbours star brings his show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.


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Parish Councils 34-37 Parish Councils 34-35


THE village car park in East Far- leigh is uneven and the bay mark- ings have become overgrown; an estimate for speed signs to be painted in Chart Sutton was re- ceived and agreed; two dozen pop- pies would be placed on lamposts in Staplehurst at a cost of £111.50; Cllr Geraldine Brown has been re-elected unopposed as Yalding chairman.


Crime Reports 37


A MAPLE bush was stolen in Loose; model cars were stolen in a house break-in in Marden; a water cylin- der was taken from the driveway of a house in Boughton Malherbe; a Vauxhall Corsa parked in Staple- hurst was damaged; a bike was stolen in Boughton Monchelsea.


ASH dieback has been discovered in Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stall- holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed for Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allow buses through Imperial Park; rub- bish bins in the sports field in Kingswoodare to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.


Crime Reports 35


VEHICLES have been driven over farmland in Lenham, causing damge to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were stolen from an allotment in Lenham.


Comment 46-47 Comment 46-47


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