downsmail.co.uk
Villagers seek police lorry chaosmeeting
KENT Police are once again under fire for failing to enforce a ban on articulated lorries travel- ling along the B2163. Just 12 tickets and a solitary
court summons have been issued in the past year. Locals have complained for
years Kent Police have done little to stem the flow on HGVs along the country road past LeedsCastle on theirway to theA274. The ban ismeant to force HGVs
to make the longer journey to the A274 via Willington Street or Maidstone town centre. Residents andcommunity repre-
sentatives have called for a meet- ing with Chief Inspector Ray Quiller, the district commander, to ask why Kent Police has not done more. Parish councillor Lesley Martin
said: “Itwould bewonderful ifwe could get ameetingwith the com- mander.”
Ch Insp Quiller said: “Kent Po-
lice is aware of residents’ concerns. “In the last 12 months, our pa-
trols have issued12penalty notices for £50 where vehicles have con- travened the weight limit. A fur- ther driver was reported for summons. “My officers will continue to
deal with any offences they see whilst on patrol in line with their regularduties. SinceMarch 1, 2018, our control room received one re- port of a lorry causing an obstruc- tion in the villages. Residents can
assist my officers and other agen- cies by taking down details of pro- hibited vehicles and reporting thems on 101 or to the local PCSO. “We continue to work with our
partners in Kent County Council and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency regarding ongoing enforcement. “This includes the need for clear
signage and liaison with freight companies so that drivers are in- formed of the correct routes.” CllrMartinsaid: “Over the years,
I and other villagers have sent countless pictures and logs of ille- gal lorries coming through the vil- lage andnothingwasdone byKent Police, sowe gaveup.Wehope this timewe canmake a difference.” County councillor Gary Cooke
said that the problem of illegal HGVs is a “constant” problem. BoroughCllrGill Fort andparish
council chairman CllrGovett have alsowelcomed themeeting.
News Running pilot
helps children A PILOT from Maidstone who says he suffered childhood abuse completed the LondonMarathon in 4hr 54mins to raise funds for theNSPCC. MarkMills (54), who flies pri-
vate jets for a living, alleges abuse at the hands of a family mem- ber. He re- ceived help from the chil- dren’s charity, for whom he raised more £3,000. He said: “I
amdelightedtohave raised£3,227 for the NSPCC. The NSPCC did- n’tneedto tellme theywere ‘com- ing to save me’, because it just happened and they helpedme re- cover. “Ididn’t realisewhatwas going
on, and how precious the NSPCC’s help was to me at the time. How amazing is it to give children like me a lifeline with Childline? It didn’t exist in my time, and Iwish it had.”
Maidstone June 2019
19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
