downsmail.co.uk
Ford rich in wildlife ‘being left to silt up’
ADITTONmumsays she has hit a wall of bureaucracy overwho is re- sponsible for a ford outside her home that is filling upwithmud. The shallow crossing place at the
bottom of Bradbourne Lane was closed to traffic by Kent Highways 10 years ago, but has since been left to fillwith run-off,mud and leaves, causing it to back up. Suzanne Dickenson (pictured),
who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, says calls to the county and borough councils and the Envi- ronment Agency have failed to get anywhere. She added: “This is a beautiful fea-
ture and a haven forwildlife that no one seems to want to take responsi- bility for or to dredge. “Ifwehave anyrain, Ihave topad-
dle to my car before going off for treatment because the ford now backs up along the lane.” In an email fromKCC’swaste and
enforcement officer BeverleyHorne, MrsDickensonwas told: “I have fol- lowed thismatter upwith KCC and
they have informedme that they are not responsible for the Ford and nei- ther is theEnvironmentAgency(EA). It would appear that the last time there were significant problems the residents themselves sorted it out.” MrsDickenson added: “If the ford
is up to us to deal with, does that meanwe have a free rein to dowith itwhateverwe like?As it is supposed to be a conservation area, someone must be responsible, or has every agency and council forgotten that?”
FREE
FREE GEORGIA TOILET & BASIN with any bathroom installation.
Please present this advert at time of order. Parkfoot FULL
we design • we supply • we fit • we care Bathing a problem - we can help
Wet rooms • Walk in showers • Walk in baths
• Product & installtion guarantee • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resitant safety flooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Local family business • Zero VAT on disabled bathrooms
Discounts for over 60’s SSAFA and Ex Service personnel Call now to arrange a FREE survey & quote
Tel: 01622 738204 and 01622 611880
info@ahminstallations.co.uk |
www.ahminstallations.co.uk
Showroom Open 7 Days Unit 11, Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted ME14 5LH
COOK@ Parkfoot
Open 24 hours, 365 days a year
www.parkfoot.net • 01732 840000
265 London Road, West Malling, ME19 5AE Malling August 2018 3
surprises of
Mrs Dickenson claimed a past
clean-up of the ford, home to ducks, fish and dragonflies,was undertaken by volunteers from Medway Valley CountrysidePartnership. She added: “In a conservation area,
wehavetohavepermissiontodoany- thing and yet the councils are saying they are happy to just let thiswildlife haven silt over.” The EA declined to comment to
Downsmail.
News Yandle leaves
THEchief executive of theGallagher Group, Nick Yandle, will leave his job at the end of the year. MrYandle has been in the post for
13 years and he said it is time to hand on the baton to a newgenera- tion. But hewill staywithin the organ-
isation in an advisory capacity and the hunt for his replacement has al- ready begun. MrYandle receivedwarmtributes
from the building firm’s chairman Pat Gallgher, who said: “Nick has made an invaluable contribution, alongside the members of the group’smanagement team, inbuild- ing the business into the very suc- cessful enterprise which exists today.”
Memorial funds
THEWestMallingWarMemorial is a step closer to being restored, thanks to crowd funding. St Mary’s Church and West
Malling Parish Council are hoping to repair and restore the 1921 War Memorial, and have received over £1,200 in donations towards the £3,000 target. To donate, visit www.justgiv-
ing.com/crowdfunding/west- mallingwarmemorial.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
