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Charge idea to beat congestion


A COUNCIL-funded investiga- tion into battling pollution in Maidstone has suggested slap- ping congestion charges on buses, taxis and lorries. The four-month study,which ran


fromDecember toApril,discovered thatUpper Stone Street has some of theworst air quality in the country. Inadrasticattempt toremedythis,


the report suggests a raft of meas- ures, including congestion charges andthecreationofano-stoppingred route, to prevent idling traffic from pumping out fumes in the centre of town. Controversially, its authors recog-


niseLiberalDemocrat-ledMBC’sas- pirations of “achievingmodal shift towalking, cyclingandpublic trans- port”, but they go on to propose moves that could see bus and taxi services torpedoedbyheftycharges. Citing a scheme in Birmingham,


the report suggests buses and coaches couldbehitwith£50bills to access centralMaidstone,whiletaxis wouldface £8 charges. However, members of the bor-


ough’s strategic planning and infra- structure committee,whodiscussed the findings at their July meeting, were less than enthusiastic about congestion charging. Cllr PatrikGarten said that, faced with a £50 bill, some HGVs would


take their chances squeezing through Leeds, instead of using the designated north/south truck route throughMaidstone. Hesaid:“Iprefer theredrouteop-


tion…all thatwouldtake is apublic consultation, a couple of metal boards andapot ofpaint.” The report’s authors,Arcadis and


Integrated Transport Ltd, believe congestion, the carriageway’sgradi- entandthe“canyon”effectofbuild- ings lining the road, are behind UpperStoneStreet’spoorairquality results. Councillors say they have noted


thereport’s findings,andhaveasked borough officials to gauge Kent CountyCouncil’s thoughtsonintro- ducing aRedRoute to the town.


Care home concern


ALARGEhome inMaidstone pro- viding care for the frail has been told it has to improve. While inspectors said good and


responsive carewasprovidedto its 71 residents,which included those with dementia, the Poplars Care Centrewas criticised for its leader- ship and safety. The findings of the CareQuality


Commission follow an unan- nounced visit to the property on Tonbridge Road. Inspectors spent two days talking to residents and staff tomake recommendations for improvement. Their concern related to theway


residents received their medica- tion, noting: “People did not al- ways receive their medicines safely.Medicineswere not always being stored in linewithmanufac- turer’s guidelines andpeoplewere not always receiving their medi-


cine as prescribed.” Leadership was also seen as an


area for improvement, but the home received a good grade in all other areas, earning praise for its recruitment and training of staff and the manager’s steps to learn when thingswentwrong. People had access to health care


and treatment. The needs of resi- dents weremet by the design and adaptation of the premises and they could also decorate and fur- nish their rooms as they liked. The report continued: “People


felt cared for by staff and were treated with kindness and com- passion by staff who knew them well.” The inspector’s report con-


cluded: “The culture at the service was honest and transparent and staff saidthey feltproudtowork at the organisation.”


Maidstone August 2019 5


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