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bridge across the A20 is provided to allow the A20 London Road to be widened. The access road from White Post Field


into Hermitage Lane will increase an already congested road and serious consideration should be given to land from the Gladman Development being made available to increase the width of Hermitage Lane to two-lane traffic from the A20 to Barming station, although this benefit will be reduced by the bridge at this point. Apart from this development, a


representative for Clarendon Homes has already sent le�ers to Allington residents asking for their views on the proposed development on land known as Bunyard’s Farm. If approval is given it is intended to use the Beaver Road access into A20 London Road, which will mean even more congestion. Both these developments are


unsustainable and would benefit only TMBC, because they would receive S106 payments from the developers. Other questions being raised by local


people are, with so much development in and around Allington, will the sewage farms be able to cope with all the extra effluent? Is Barming station able to cope with the influx of travellers? Will the car park be able to cope? New Allington Acton Group (NAAG)


Brexit vote democratic


I FELT I should write in reply to D Hacke�’s le�er in the September issue. In respect of his suggestion that a 66%


(referendum) vote should have been required, I think we should remember that, after a huge amount of publicity, people had an opportunity to vote. If people chose not to vote, that is their choice and, in effect, their vote. We should also remember that more


than twice as many people voted in the referendum as in our normal general elections. It was therefore truly representative of the public’s intentions. Furthermore, 3.8 % more people voted


to leave, which is a similar margin to many of our general elections, none of which has been called into question as being too close


to allow. It is called democracy. I think it’s important to remember that


the government offered the public a referendum. I believe they then a�empted to frighten the public into voting remain. Had the government decided to allow the public a free vote, without project fear, I think the result would have been a far greater vote to leave. Mr Hacke� describes the 17 million


British people who voted to leave as thinking “on the basis of a glorious return to the days when we had an empire”. Personally, the people I spoke to regarding the referendum were intelligent, thoughtful and very aware of the magnitude of the potential result. They also considered the direction the EU is heading in, and reached a decision. They then voted, as is their right. Regarding his point about the EU and


the European Customs Union, I think people were aware that the two things are intrinsically linked, in the same way that a driving licence and a car are linked. You can’t really have one without the other. The UK is primarily a services-based


economy, whilst the EU is not. The UK exports 56% of goods outside the EU already, and yet I don’t see the queues of lorries etc we are regularly warned against. The UK imports 54% of goods from the EU and manages to import the other 46% from the rest of the world without any undue issues. Whilst we are often warned against a no


deal scenario, we need to remember that no deal is not actually an option. We have two options – a deal with the EU and a deal on WTO terms, something that many other countries around the world manage. Even the EU trades under WTO rules. We should remember that the EU has very, very few trade agreements with countries outside the EU, and yet manages to trade quite comfortably with countries around the world. I feel that this government, which has


never been in favour of leaving, has continued the same project fear that existed before the referendum. However, they should remember that the voters weren’t fooled then, and I don’t think they will be this time either.


We live in a democracy. The public


voted to leave. If the people who run our country refuse to deliver, or decide that the public “didn’t really know what they voted for” and ignore us, then we don’t actually live in a democracy. If that happens, however you voted, it is a very sad day for the UK. P Grove, Maidstone


Look elsewhere for balance


IN RESPONSE to K G Banks’ comments in Downs Mail August edition, being an (unusual for an 80-year-old) passionate “remoaner”, I agree with all the points expressed in his le�er. However, I would respectfully point out


that Dennis Fowle is highly unlikely to have many, if any, Guardian-reading friends. Amongst others, the Daily Mail and Telegraph more accurately reflect his views. Those wishing for more factually-


balanced coverage of EU ma�ers should consider the BBC news, together with the Guardian/Observer and Private Eye. Roy Datson, Bearsted


Wrong place for surgery


I AM appalled to hear that the new medical centre at Hill Farm has been approved. Developers and land owners have


swallowed up the sites nearer to the village centre, leaving li�le option as to where the medical centre can be built. There are quite a few concerns regarding


the proposal, pavements are either inadequate or non-existent. The junction at Linton crossroads was


obviously designed by a complete idiot, who had no conception of the current width of modern vehicles. The width of the exit onto the A229 may


well have been adequate in the days of the horse and cart, but it now becomes a logjam if a wide vehicle is waiting to turn towards Linton Hill. On the upside, the congestion caused


will stop or slow the traffic so that patients can cross the road to the new surgery. Mick Sloman, via email


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