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News


downsmail.co.uk M20 bridge hit by land delay


ROADS authority Highways England (HE) has thanked a local parish council for its “patience and co-operation” in its efforts to replace theM20 footbridge atAddington.


The crossing has been out of


commission since August 2016, when itwas destroyed by an over- height vehicle. HE is seeking to secure land in


order to start constructing a new bridge over themotorway. Addington Parish Council al-


leges the agency has dragged its heels in securing the necessary legal permission - a section 38 con- sent -to buy common land needed for the up-to-date design, causing a delay in the commencement of work. The council also claims to have


run up lawyers’ bills of £3,500 which it says will be paid by HE. A spokesman said: “The people


of Addington want the bridge back, as it cuts their village in two. It also denies villagers easy foot ac-


cess to their newvillage green.” Parish clerk Louise Goldsmith


claimed: “We have beenwaiting for two years forHighways England to get their act together and to obtain the necessary section 38 consent, as


the land they wish to use is com- mon land and is protected by an- cient statutes.” HE refused to be drawn on a se-


ries of criticisms levelled at it by the parish council, but a spokesman


said: “We have no criticismtomake of the council, we’re committed to working togetherwith themon this issue and are grateful for their pa- tience and co-operation. “The Addington footbridge has


been out of action since itwas struck by an over-height vehicle in 2016. It requires a complete replacement, which includespurchasing newland soit canbebuilt tomodernstandards. “Wearenegotiatingthepurchaseof


this landandagree the accesswewill need for construction.We expect to start work soon after the M20 J3-5 smart motorway upgrade opens to traffic in 2019.” MPs Tom Tugendhat and Tracey


Crouch both hopedthe bridge could be replacedat the same time aswork on the “Smart” motorway is being carried out.


security van POLICE are investigating a rob- bery in Snodland aftermaskedmen - one wielding a machete - threat- ened a security van driver and took a case full of cash. This incident is said to have taken


Robbers aack Support service praised Cafe ‘dream’


A SERVICE helping people to live more independently in their own homehasbeenratedas goodby the CareQuality Commission (CQC). The Kent Enablement at Home


place at the Shell garage inMalling Road, Snodland, at 9.20am on Sep- tember 17. The two suspects are be- lievedtohave fledthe scene ina van. Detective Inspector James Der-


hamsaid: “We are keen to hear from anywitnesses. “In particular, we would like to


hear from motorists with dashcam footage taken in the area at around the time of the robbery.” Witnesses are asked to call Kent


Police on 01622 604100 quoting ref- erence 17-349. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers in Kent, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


Crash injuries


POLICE responded to a car crash in Aylesford after a car collidedwith a truck. A spokesman said: “Kent Police


were calledat 12..44pmonMonday, September 24, after a collision in- volving a car and a truck on Forstal Road,Aylesford. “Officers and South East Coast


Ambulance Service went to the scene,where twomenwere treated for injuries. Theywere taken to hos- pital for furthermedical attention. “The road remained closed while


the vehicles were recovered, and it was reopened at 3.08pm.”


30 Malling October 2018


domiciliary care agency provides help to people in West Malling, Maidstone andtheTonbridge area, often after time in hospital. The service, runfromKingsHill,


was being used by 150 people at the time of the inspection in Au- gust. Inspectors foundthe agencypro-


vided good, safe, responsive, per- sonal care to those with physical disabilities and dementia. One client told them: “I'm afraid of falling, so itmakesme feel safer to walkaboutwhilst carers are there.” Another said: “They come first


thing to make sure I’m safe. I like toknowsomeone is there forwhat- ever I need.” The service was rated good fol-


lowing its last inspection. This time the inspector noted: “There were enough staff tomeet people’s needs and those staff were re- cruited safely. People were sup- ported with their medicines, protected from infection and les- sons were learned when things wentwrong. “Individual’s needs were as-


sessed before their service began andstaffhadthe skills,knowledge and experience tomeet them. Peo- ple were supported to drink and eat enough tomaintain a balanced diet and were supported to have maximum choice and control of their lives,withkindness andcom- passionthat respectedtheirdignity and privacy.” Staff told the inspection team


that the servicewas open, transpar- ent andthey felt supportedby their managers andinvolvedindevelop- ing the service.


A FAMILIAR face behind recep- tion at aWest Malling GP practice has swapped her appointment book for coffee and cake – but San- draMoorcroft is not retiring. She has quit her job after 40 years


with the NHS – 14 of them at the group practice in the High Street – to open her own cafe. The former staff member at


Guy’s Hospital in London says opening Sam’s Bus Stop Cafe in Chapman Way has been a long- held dream. The cafe is open from Monday to Friday from 7am and 7.30amon Saturday.


Road closure


DUCTINGwork by BT engineers is set to shut a road in East Malling for up to three days. Well Street will be closed be-


tween Stickens Lane and Pikey Lane from October 8. Drivers will be diverted along Broadwater Road and Pikey Lane.


Death crash driverwas on drugs


A VAN driver who caused the death of aMaidstonewomanwhen he drove under the influence of drugs has been jailed for eight years. Daniel Butler (27)


tested positive for cocaine and amphet- amine following the collision in Mere-


worth last year and told officers he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.


Butler (pictured)was driving his


Ford Transit van towards West Malling from the Paddock Wood area at 3pmonAugust 20,when he clipped a Peugeot driven by SuzanneMaclachlan (67),who later died in hospital. Witnesses said they had seen


Butler driving erratically before the collision. Tracking data on his phone suggested he was suffering fromlack of sleep. Appearing before Maidstone


CrownCourt, Butler, of Silverweed Road, Chatham, admitted causing death by dangerous driving. He was sentenced on Friday,


September 28, 2018, when he was also disqualified from driving for 10 years. PCMarkWooding of the Serious


Collision Investigation Unit said: “It is clear he was in no fit state to drive…his actions have resulted in the death ofMrsMaclachlan, leav- ing her loved ones devastated.”


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