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News


downsmail.co.uk Roads row goes to High Court


A HIGH Court action brought byMaidstone Borough Council against Kent County Council has been set for November 7. Two hours have been set aside at


He said local authorities might


the High Court (pictured) for an “oral hearing” in London to contest MBC’s failed judicial review over KCC’s spending of section 106 cash (developer contributions) on stud- ies into a Leeds-Langley relief road. Critics have accused Liberal De-


mocrat-run Maidstone Borough Council of wasting public money, especially since the first action ear- lier this year was thrown out by a judge expert in planning law. It is the latest twist inMBC’s de-


teriorating relationship with KCC, despite both authorities having given public assurances theywould work together to find a way to make a by-passwork. MBC, which must build at least


17,600 homes in the borough under government orders, wants cash to improve junctions as well as en- courage people towards the notion of modal shift, ie taking buses, walking or cycling instead of driv- ing. Tory-runKCCbelieves some sec-


tion 106 cash should be used for a relief road between the A274 and


A20workswill


improve safety ROADWORKS lasting more than seven months have started on the A20. The long-awaited Harrietsham


Highway Improvements Scheme will impose a 30mph speed limit on vehicles using theA20. The old pelican crossing will be


upgradedto a toucan crossing at the West Street junction, wider kerbs will “pinch” the width of the car- riageway and accommodate wider footways.Centre islandswill also be built along the road and a new micro-asphalt surfacewill be laid. A spokesman for KCC said the


scheme is an opportunity to im- prove safety andcreate apedestrian- friendly environment in the village. It is understood up to £900,000


fromdevelopers’ contributions have ensured the scheme goes ahead. KCC added: “Construction will


take up to 30weeks andwill be car- ried out from8amto 5pm.” The work will be undertaken


using signing, coning and guarding to maintain two-way traffic. How- ever, temporary traffic lightswill be needed at times. The work will start to the west of


the village, at the Holm Mill Lane junction, and progress eastwards.


14


theA20, soMBC took Kent County Council to theHigh Court over the allocation of funding from three A274 sites,which KCC used for re- lief road studies. But the process fell at the first


hurdle when Mrs Justice Lang threw it out, saying MBC had not presented an “arguable” case to


proceed. So far, the action has cost tax-payers at least £14,500, with legal bills set to climb even higher when the oral hearing is over. Independent Maidstone council-


lor Eddie Powell has warned that the council is playing “dangerous games” because a precedent could be set, shouldMBC lose.


Rollerskaters’ title bid


THREE skaters from Maidstone have been picked to represent Great Britain in thismonth’s ArtisticWorld Championships in France. Danielle Hayon (33), from Queens Road, Natalie Hayon (26), from


Downswood andOliverMartin (20), fromCornwallis Avenue in Linton (pic- tured) are all members of Maidstone Roller Dance Club (RDC). The roller dancers will


perform two routines at the event in La Vendee –a style dance in an interpre- tation of this year’s Swing Medley theme and a free dance routine, to music of their choice. Maidstone RDC began at


Maidstone YMCA centre in 1969 and is one of the most successful clubs in the country, with skaters com- peting internationally for over 20 years. Club secretary Frances


Sheldrake said: “Although the club has had many of its skaters selected for in- ternational events, this year we are the only club to have skaters selected for World Champi- onships in the dance category, which is why this is such a big achieve- ment. “The club is so proud of their hard work and dedication to a relatively


unknown sport in our country.We want to wish themthe best of luck.” TheWorld Championships were held fromOctober 3-13.


Maidstone East November 2018


lose the ability to challenge and at- tach planning conditions to newde- velopments. MBC chief executive Alison


Broom claims she needs to chal- lenge KCC in the High Court for “clarity” on howsection 106money is spent by the county council on roads in future. Opposition Tory leader John


Perry has voiced his disquiet over the legal action. He said: “I think there are better


ways of doing things, personally. “I think we should all try and sit


around the table, but this is the de- cision the council hasmade.” At a public meeting a year ago,


MBC agreed to work with KCC to improve their relationship in a group set up by MPs Helen Whately andHelen Grant. Most obserevers acknowledge


the relationship has since deterio- rated. Cllr Powell added: “They’re talk-


ing to each other in theHigh Court via expensive barristers. Not great, is it?”


Knowyourself


at Leeds Castle A THOUSAND Rainbows, Brown- ies and their leaders fromacross the area spent theday atLeedsCastle to earn new“knowyourself” badges. The badges are among 800 that re-


leasedin July, for baking to blogging andmindfulness to animation. The groups from Girlguiding


KentWeald County, which include Loose Rainbows and 1stMaidstone and Tovil, used the facilities at the castle to complete activities, which included meeting King Henry VIII and Owlfie the African Spotted Eagle Owl, as well as working to- gether to escape themaze. The newguidingprogramme falls


into six new categories – Skills for my Future, Have Adventures, Be Well, KnowMyself, ExpressMyself and TakeAction. Mary Saunders, county commis-


sioner and organiser of the event at the castle on September 22, said: “It was fantastic to see some of our youngestmembers explore newac- tivities and overcome challenges.” Girlguiding offers opportunities


for girls agedfiveplus inMaidstone, Tonbridge,TunbridgeWells andthe surrounding villages. For details visit www.girlguid-


ing.org.uk.


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