News | Sponsored parish council Boxley ParishMail


CHAIRMAN: BobHinderCLERK: Pauline BowderyASSTCLERK:Melanie Fooks ParishOffice, BeechenHall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade,ME5 9RU


Tel: 01634 861237 email: clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained fromthe parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website Parking bans


are proposed THEdeveloper of the STEMschool being built at New Cut Road has indicated itwill pay forRoad Traf- fic Orders for roads and closes within 400mof the school. It proposed a two-hour parking


ban between 11amand1pm,Mon- day to Friday, which would stop students and staff parking. Cllr Wendy Hinder said: “The


parish council recognises that not everyone may want restricted parking andso itwasdecidedthat, if itwas offered, the parish council would seek the views of resident.” The parish council organised a


questionnaire and the results will be collated in a report to be sent to the developer and KCC which is the authority responsible for put- ting RTOs in place. There is concern that restrictions


will cause issues for visitors or con- tractor’s vehicles unless some form of parking permit can be arranged for residents.


Stay in touch TO KEEP residents informed about what is happening in their area the parish council uses its website, Facebook and a commu- nity email alert system that has proved popularwith residents. The parish office sends out noti-


fications of large planning applica- tions, spikes in crime in the local area, road closures etc. To obtainmore information or to


sign up residents are advised to contact the parish office on en- quiry@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk.


Diversion off THE parish council has been told thatNewCut Roadwill no longer be signed as a diversion for traffic during night closures of theM20. Borough Councillor and parish


council chairman BobHinder said: “This is goodnews for residents on GroveGreen.” Traffic, especially lorries well


past midnight, have been disturb- ing residents’ sleep.


22


Schools plan sparks ‘massive concerns’


RESIDENTS in theGroveGreen and Weavering area feel that they are “under siege” due to the proposed development at the site adjacent to theKentMedical Campus. Boxley Parish Council is also


being stretched to the limit coping with three large planning appli- cations and also arranging a pub- lic consultation on proposed restricted parking due to the STEMschool. Chairman Bob Hinder said:


“The proposal for two new schools atWeavering with an en- trance on Bearsted Road is caus- ing massive


concerns for


everyone. “Whilst the proposed site is


within Boxley Parish, these con- cerns are shared by neighbouring parishes, borough and county councillors.” Prior to even receiving the plan-


ning application, Boxley Parish Council and Bearsted Parish Council met with highways offi-


A graphic of the primary school and below, STEMland is cleared


cers, raising concerns about traf- fic and highway safety. Borough councillors from Box-


ley and Bearsted wards met with KCC leader Paul Carter. Boxley Parish Council has used


its email alert systemandwebsite to keeps its residents informed. Its environment committeewas


due tomeet on January 24 to dis- cuss to decide its response to the proposed schools planned for Pope’s Field.


Call for action on J3 traffic


BOXLEY Parish Council has again raised the issue of the traffic con- gestion problems at theM2 J3. Highways England and KCC


recognise the roundabouts serving the junction are having to operate beyond their design capacity, but authorities have failed to come up with solutions to the problems. ChairmanBobHinder said: “The


parishcouncilhas been banging on about the need to sort this junction and the surrounding highway roads out formany years, even be- fore the Lower Thames Crossing was tabled. “It is a disgrace that the needs of the local residents and communi-


Maidstone East February 2019


ties have been ignored.” TheM2 J3 is joined to theM20 J6


by the A229 and any incidents on theM2 orM20 result in an influx of large amounts of traffic, especially HGVs, trying to divert to the alter- native route. Cllr Hinder added: “On a nor-


mal day, the junctions and round- abouts clog up extremely easily, and this spreads out to the sur- rounding area. Add to this extra traffic, and it can get gridlocked.” The parish council initially pro-


duced a report detailing the high- way problems and dire safety recordof the junctionandA229,but failedto get the authorities to agree


a scheme to improve the area. The parish council has again


written toMPHelenWhately ask- ing for help, as a recentKCCreport showed that: “In 2026, there is an anticipated increase inHGV flows during both peak hours, particu- larly atBluebellHill,where there is a 76.6% increase during the AM peak and116%increaseduring the PMpeak”. The issue has also been raised at


the Maidstone Joint Transport Board and representatives of the HighwaysAgency have promised that the parish councilwill be kept informed of any developments concerning improvements.


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