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of our community. The new system is ageist and anti-disability. We as volunteers working in the park are not allowed to use our park permits in the Park and Ride car park. The wrangles over the Su�on Road monies are playground stuff. At the end of the day, we have put the money into the pot, however it is used. Nobody seems to care about the residents around Invicta and Valley Schools. Only academic self- aggrandisement seems to be paramount. The area is saturated and not properly serviced with buses. A new site with good road links should have been found. Can somebody tell me why Kent and Maidstone taxpayers have to keep forking out for Operation Stack or its knock-on effects? Non-perishable goods lorries should not be allowed over our county line and held elsewhere. When we travel on the continent, we have to pay their road taxes and tolls up front. Foreign vehicles should be toll-controlled at the Dartford River Crossing. Does Kent Highways not have a centralised road closure/road works co- ordination policy for Maidstone? The Tonbridge Road fiasco has caused family havoc since May. Thanks for the rant.
Brian Smith-Howther, via email Brian Smith-Howther, via email
M26 lorry park update I WAS pleased to arrange a key meeting on October 30 with the Department for Transport, Highways England, Sir Michael Fallon MP and local councils to further scrutinise the plans to use the M26 as a lorry park. Until that point, residents and
businesses had been kept in the dark about a proposal which would fundamentally affect the lives of thousands of people across West Kent, and potentially bring the local road network to a standstill. I was pleased that Kent County Council,
M26 lorry park update I WAS pleased to arrange a key meeting on October 30 with the Department for Transport, Highways England, Sir Michael Fallon MP and local councils to further scrutinise the plans to use the M26 as a lorry park. Until that point, residents and
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council were able to join Sir Michael Fallon MP and me to
businesses had been kept in the dark about a proposal which would fundamentally affect the lives of thousands of people across West Kent, and potentially bring the local road network to a standstill. I was pleased that Kent County Council,
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council and Sevenoaks District Council were able to join Sir Michael Fallon MP and me to
of our community. The new system is ageist and anti-disability. We as volunteers working in the park are not allowed to use our park permits in the Park and Ride car park. The wrangles over the Su�on Road monies are playground stuff. At the end of the day, we have put the money into the pot, however it is used. Nobody seems to care about the residents around Invicta and Valley Schools. Only academic self- aggrandisement seems to be paramount. The area is saturated and not properly serviced with buses. A new site with good road links should have been found. Can somebody tell me why Kent and Maidstone taxpayers have to keep forking out for Operation Stack or its knock-on effects? Non-perishable goods lorries should not be allowed over our county line and held elsewhere. When we travel on the continent, we have to pay their road taxes and tolls up front. Foreign vehicles should be toll-controlled at the Dartford River Crossing. Does Kent Highways not have a centralised road closure/road works co- ordination policy for Maidstone? The Tonbridge Road fiasco has caused family havoc since May. Thanks for the rant.
make clear to the Roads Minister and Highways England that their proposals to use the M26 are unworkable. We were all united in saying this loud and clear. Following our meeting, both the
Department for Transport and Highways England have promised to look again at the plans, and particularly the impacts on local roads such as the A25. It is also encouraging that, if needed,
additional powers could be granted to KCC to limit roadworks, change bus routes quickly and prevent HGVs parking in country lanes. We are all looking forward to hearing what progress they have made. Tom Tugendhat, MP Tonbridge & Malling
Department for Transport and Highways England have promised to look again at the plans, and particularly the impacts on local roads such as the A25. It is also encouraging that, if needed,
additional powers could be granted to KCC to limit roadworks, change bus routes quickly and prevent HGVs parking in country lanes. We are all looking forward to hearing what progress they have made. Tom Tugendhat, MP Tonbridge & Malling
Dinner din is common Dinner din is common
DENNIS Fowle’s excellent recent column highlighted recently the problem of the din created in modern restaurants. I recently met a friend of a similar
vintage for lunch in a branch of Wagamama in Kent. Apart from the general hubbub of a
busy place at lunchtime, we both found ourselves craning our necks to hear what the waiter was saying to us. Hearing each other in conversation was also a struggle. Part of the issue is that many of these
vintage for lunch in a branch of Wagamama in Kent. Apart from the general hubbub of a
places have stone floors and li�le on the walls to absorb sound. Restaurants I often go to have tables far
too close together, so that there is li�le privacy or the chance to speak confidentially in that environment. I thought it was my age, but I hear the
same complaint from younger people too, even though they often make most of the noise on a rowdy evening out. But there is nothing quite like the sound
too close together, so that there is li�le privacy or the chance to speak confidentially in that environment. I thought it was my age, but I hear the
of youngsters enjoying themselves, I’d say. All of this is such a shame because
same complaint from younger people too, even though they often make most of the noise on a rowdy evening out. But there is nothing quite like the sound
Maidstone, in particular, has such a diverse choice of places to eat – more than I can ever remember. Perhaps it is just a ma�er of time before
tastes and fashions move on. K Kennedy, via email
tastes and fashions move on. K Kennedy, via email
of youngsters enjoying themselves, I’d say. All of this is such a shame because
Maidstone, in particular, has such a diverse choice of places to eat – more than I can ever remember. Perhaps it is just a ma�er of time before
busy place at lunchtime, we both found ourselves craning our necks to hear what the waiter was saying to us. Hearing each other in conversation was also a struggle. Part of the issue is that many of these
places have stone floors and li�le on the walls to absorb sound. Restaurants I often go to have tables far
DENNIS Fowle’s excellent recent column highlighted recently the problem of the din created in modern restaurants. I recently met a friend of a similar
make clear to the Roads Minister and Highways England that their proposals to use the M26 are unworkable. We were all united in saying this loud and clear. Following our meeting, both the
No thought for neighbours
I READ with interest the article by West Malling councillor Richard Bya�, concerning 80 houses being built in his area, and what a strain it would put on public services and roads. Did Tonbridge and Malling Borough
Council think of this when giving planning permission to the enormous development in Hermitage Lane and all the chaos it has caused to the people of Maidstone and districts? Doctors are not taking new patients
due to the number of new-builds. Perhaps more thought for your
neighbours should be a priority in future. R Bourne, via email
due to the number of new-builds. Perhaps more thought for your
neighbours should be a priority in future. R Bourne, via email
Traffic chaos is spreading
THERE is gridlock on Farleigh Hill in Tovil almost every day. Morning and evening queues are now the norm. Whilst town centre traffic congestion
has been the bane of any Maidstone resident's daily life for many years, that chaos is now spreading further afield. When are MBC and KCC going to stop squabbling like children and start working together, for the benefit of the people of Maidstone and surrounding areas, to actually produce working solutions to these problems? A policy of continued housing growth
THERE is gridlock on Farleigh Hill in Tovil almost every day. Morning and evening queues are now the norm. Whilst town centre traffic congestion
with no investment in any associated infrastructure (not just roads) simply isn't a sustainable approach. Personally, I have very li�le confidence in either party's inclination or ability to address these issues effectively and at the polls, my vote will reflect that. I also believe that the other residents of
has been the bane of any Maidstone resident's daily life for many years, that chaos is now spreading further afield. When are MBC and KCC going to stop squabbling like children and start working together, for the benefit of the people of Maidstone and surrounding areas, to actually produce working solutions to these problems? A policy of continued housing growth
Maidstone are similarly tired of all talk and no action, as I'm sure the commuters sat in these queues would probably agree. Simon Goodwin, Farleigh Hill, Maidstone
with no investment in any associated infrastructure (not just roads) simply isn't a sustainable approach. Personally, I have very li�le confidence in either party's inclination or ability to address these issues effectively and at the polls, my vote will reflect that. I also believe that the other residents of
Maidstone are similarly tired of all talk and no action, as I'm sure the commuters sat in these queues would probably agree. Simon Goodwin, Farleigh Hill, Maidstone
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Maidstone East December 2018 47 Malling Traffic chaos is spreading
I READ with interest the article by West Malling councillor Richard Bya�, concerning 80 houses being built in his area, and what a strain it would put on public services and roads. Did Tonbridge and Malling Borough
Council think of this when giving planning permission to the enormous development in Hermitage Lane and all the chaos it has caused to the people of Maidstone and districts? Doctors are not taking new patients
No thought for neighbours
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