News


M20 ‘worst road in UK’


A NEW survey rates the M20 as the country’s worst major road. Transport Focus’s driver satis-


faction survey revealed an over- all rating of 65, some 10 points behind the hated M25. The pressure group found


users were particularly critical of its surface. The M20 has rarely been out of


the news since preparations began for a No Deal Brexit, par- ticularly Operation Brock which filters coastbound traffic into two lanes on the London bound side with a metal barrier in the middle. Crashes are commonplace now


– often several in a day – and traf- fic pours onto the A20 and sur- rounding country roads which are already congested, due to Lib Dem led Maidstone Borough Council’s massive house-build- ing programme. Transport Focus came up with


its poor rating based on journey time, road quality and for feeling safe. Kent’s other major artery, the


M2, fared better, with an overall rating of 84.


Bar stabbing


A MAN was arrested after re- ports a person was threatened with a knife in a bar toilet in Maidstone. During the early hours of Sun-


day, June 9, Kent Police were called to a premises in Market Buildings, where it is alleged the victim was approached shortly after midnight. Security staff at the location de-


tained the suspect until officers arrived at the scene. The man, aged 26 and from Wateringbury, was then arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault. He was later released pending further investigation.


Rugby appeal A RUGBY team promoted to the Shepherd Neame Kent leagues is looking for some new members. Weavering Warriors RFC will


be recruiting players looking to get back into rugby and who want to play at senior level. Pre-season training started on


July 4 and will run throughout the summer. To find out more, call 07523


821333 or direct message the Weavering Warriors RFC Face- book page.


24 Maidstone August 2019


downsmail.co.uk


Tributes after death of KIG campaigner Brian


TRIBUTES have been paid to an influential community stalwart who was instrumental in halting the Kent International Gateway (KIG) development.


Brian Clifford, of Bearsted, who


fought plans for a huge interna- tional freight terminal being built at Hollingbourne, has died at the age of 85. Mr Clifford, pictured, was a


major figure in the anti-KIG cam- paignwhichwon its battle in 2010. Borough councillor Denis


Spooner,whowas friendswithMr Clifford, said: “Hewas a smashing guy – absolutelywonderfulman. “He was a very powerful figure


in the KIG campaign and ulti- mately prevailed. But he also set about rejuvenating the Bearsted & ThurnhamSociety. “His contribution to local life


cannot be overstated.” According to the society, the suc-


cessful businessman increased the membership dramatically after taking on the chairman’s role in 2005 from Heather Langley. Over the years,he servedas amember of


the TerritorialArmy,was a promi- nent Rotarian and an activemem- ber of the church. Mr Clifford, of St Faith’s Lane,


was also a member of the Maid- stone Club and also of the Faver- sham andMid Kent Conservative Association, and he was a regular volunteer at theMaidstoneWinter


Shelter. In a statement, the society said: “Brian’s life continued to in- volve many acts of kindness right up until his recent admission to hospital and he will be sorely missed. “Hewill leave a huge hole in the


community and our heartfelt con- dolences go to (wife) Jill, his chil- dren and grandchildren.” Society


spokesman Mary


Richards said: “His life continued to involve many acts of kindness right up until his recent admission to hospital and he will be sorely missed.” We understand that he was ad-


mitted to hospital suffering from pneumonia and died shortly after. His funeral service was due to


take place at Holy Cross Church, Bearsted, onJuly 17 asDownsMail went to press. Mr Clifford had a long associationwithHolyCross. See Obituaries, page 26


Ducklings are rescued Officer hurt in


HALF a dozen ducklings were res- cued after they fell between the cracks of a drain on a motorway in Maidstone. The small ducks were trapped in


the middle of the M20, by the cen- tral reservation, on June 6 when people working nearby called emergency services to see if they could somehow be rescued. Thankfully, all six ducklings were


released from the drain uninjured and led back to the safety of the nearby woodland. Kent Fire and Rescue Service re-


ported: “When firefighters from Maidstone were called to rescue six ducklings that had fallen into a drain on the M20, they had to think fast. “The ducklings were trapped un-


derground and found by workers nearby. They called us to see if we could rescue them. “Firefighters set up a ladder to


carefully pluck each chirping bun- dle of fluff out one by one. “The six ducklings were rescued


unharmed and led back to the safety of the woodland by their mum.” Three days later, two calves


were saved from an old drainage system hole on private land in Lin- ton Hill. A manhole cover had collapsed


under their weight, dropping them into a five feet deep pit. A fire engine and the animal res-


cue unit attended at around 1.30pm, and fire crews widened the hole with a breaker to allow room for a mechanical hoist to be lowered in. Straps were wrapped around the


calves and they were reunited with their mother.


stinger arrest


A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was ar- rested in Maidstone after “hitting a police officer with a suspected stolen vehicle”, leaving the victim with a serious leg injury. At around 12.35am on Tuesday,


June 18, a Kent Police patrol in Boxley Road used a stinger in an attempt to stop a suspected stolen Vauxhall Corsa travelling to- wards the town centre. A spokesman for Kent Police


said: “It is understood the vehicle struck the officer before coming to a stop further down the road. The officer was taken to a local hospi- tal where he received medical at- tention for a serious leg injury.” A 16-year-old Maidstone boy


from Maidstone was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicle taking, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop after a road traffic collision, fail- ing to provide a specimen of blood for analysis, driving with- out insurance and driving with- out a licence. He was later bailed by Medway


Magistrates’ to appear at a hear- ing at Medway Youth Court.


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