downsmail.co.uk


Wife’s tribute to cyclist after fatalA20 collision


THE family of a cyclistwho died after a collisonwith a tipper truck have paid tribute to a loving “larger than life” father and husband.


Daniel Waite (43) died at the


scene near the junction for Leeds Castle and Leeds village on the A20 at 8pmon July 3. Paramedicswere unable to save


MrWaite, a father of two. In a statement, wife Sarah said:


“Dan ‘Waitey’ was a larger than life character, who really was the nicest person you couldmeet.His big grinwas infectious and he had time for everyone. “Dan was a generous, caring


son, husband, father, brother and friend who is sorely missed and will be remembered so fondly, withmany goodmemories. “He lived his life to the fullest and this could be seen through his


enjoyment of sport.Hewas a pas- sionate and dedicated team player with his local football club and cycling group.


“On the slopes, he was a thrill-


seeking skier and loved sharing thiswith his family every year.He had a real zest for life and those around himloved his passion and being in his company. “His ability to give will still re-


main, aswe remember himfor the amazing man and father that he is. His stories will help us fill the gap that his presence leaves in our daily lives. “Dan did not get nearly enough


time to finishwhat hewas here to do. Thosewho knewhimwill feel privileged and grateful to have had a chance to know him as he leavesmemories of good times in our thoughts and hearts.”


KCC’s £150k to encourage cycling


KENT County Council is helping borough colleagues to achieve “modal shift” by contributing £150,000 to a cycling scheme. Train operator Southeastern was awarded cash


from the Government’s Cycle Rail Programme which has beenmatched by Tory-run KCC. Parking bays for 60 cycles will be created at Maid-


stone East. LiberalDemocrat-ledMaidstone Borough Council is


committed to the concept of “modal shift” which it claims will mitigate against its massive house-build- ing programme by persuading residents to abandon their cars in favour of walking, cycling or catching a bus. A fraction of the 17,600 homes contained in the


Local Plan passed in November 2017 have been built but another 8,000 units are to be included in the


News Police assaults


‘not tolerated’ ELEVENofficerswere assaulted over the course of one weekend after responding to calls for help across Kent. Officers reported being spat


at, kicked, threatened, punched and pushed between June 28 and June 30. In one incident, an officer needed hospital treat- ment after hitting his head while attempting to restrain a suspect. During one incident in Maid-


stone on June 30, an officer was sprayedwith a deodorantwhilst trying to arrest a suspect in con- nection with a drugs offence. Deputy chief constable Tony


Blaker said: “Every day our offi- cers are required to attend un- predictable, challenging and sometimes volatile situations. This doesn’t mean they should accept being abused, assaulted or spat at as part of the job. “The large number of arrests


made over oneweekend demon- strates that such behaviour will simply not be tolerated.”


Stones school


MAIDSTONE United FC is set to spend the summer hosting a se- ries of “soccer schools” for youngsters in years two to nine. The Stones say it’s a rare


plan’s review. Last year, MBC’s Lib Dem leader Cllr Martin Cox admitted to Downs Mail he was not “100%sure” that “modal shift” would work.


chance for budding stars to expe- rience the Gallagher alongside first team and academy players. The sessions offer professional coaching, competitions andmini- tournaments. Classes kick off on July 25,with the last session onAugust 23.


Divided village calls for bridge overA249


VILLAGERS separated by the busy A249 say plans for a flyover will cause deaths, debt and greater disconnection for neighbours. They say the upgrade is needed,


butmore than 100 locals say plan- ners need to remember that their needsmust be taken into account. Stockbury Parish Council called


the open meeting in response to growing concernover thedetails of the A249 Stockbury roundabout improvement scheme. They say a bridge needs to be includedtopro- vide a safe crossing from one side of the village to the other.


The parish of Stockbury strad-


dles theA249,with SouthGreen to the east and Stockbury village to the west. It is currently linked by two dangerous crossing points on the busy dual carriageway. Phil Woods, chairman of the


parish council, said: “The intro- duction of a flyover will create a continuous stream of fast moving traffic in both directions, with no gaps at peak times.As plans stand, this would make it more danger- ous for villagers to cross fromone side of Stockbury to the other.” While acknowledging the need


to improve the roadinfrastructure, the parish council says the scheme would put the lives of parish- ioners, visitors andcustomers trav- elling to Stockbury at greater risk. It would also harm the rural


economy by making access more difficult to village businesses, in- cluding farms, amajor agricultural equipment supplier, anMOT cen- tre, an award-winning farm shop and a community-owned pub. The parish council says the road


scheme would also cause “ir- reparably harm to the cohesion of the community”,which has settle-


ments on both sides of theA249. CllrWoods said: “We are sure it


was not the DfT’s intention to kill off a vibrant and thriving village, but villagers need a bridge across theA249 to be included.” The parish is supported by its


county councillor,Maidstone Bor- ough Councillor and MP Helen Whately. Parishioners who attended the


meeting also backed the parish council in doingwhatever is neces- sarytoreduce the risks totheir lives, livelihoods and community posed by the current road scheme.


Maidstone August 2019 19


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