News Leeds leak?
RESIDENTS in one of the busiest “rat-run” villages in the borough faces closure to fix awater issue. South EastWater detected a leak
on August 12 opposite Farmer Close in Upper Street, Leeds, and affected households were in- formed the B2163 may have to be shut but no datewas given. The road fromLeeds to Langley
carries a huge amount of traffic daily fromtheA274 to theA20. Aleakingpipewas thought to be
the cause of a massive collapse in the roadin 2014which shut the vil- lage to all traffic off formonths.
Driver pulled
A MAIDSTONE driver was ar- rested following a high speed po- lice car chase onAugust 5. At 11.50pm, a vehicle travelling
in County Road failed to stop for police. A Kent Police spokesman said:
“Following enquiries at the scene, a 29-year-oldman fromMaidstone was arrested on suspicion of driv- ing while unfit through drugs, namely cocaine. “He has since been released, pending further enquiries.”
downsmail.co.uk
KCCtip charges facing aGovernment review
THEGovernment is to reviewthe way councils slap “backdoor” waste disposal taxes on house- holdsundergoinghome improve- ments. Whitehall fears that tip-side fees,
like those introduced by Kent County Council this summer, could undermine the “long-estab- lished precedent of free access” to municipal dumps, and feed a fly- tipping epidemic. Kent’s 18 household waste and
recycling centres currentlymake “a modest charge” for residents dis- posing ofDIYwaste including soil, rubble, hardcore andplasterboard. They are not alone… nation-
wide,nearly 50 local authorities are now levelling similar fees against taxpayers. However theDepartment forEn-
vironment, Food andRuralAffairs (Defra) says that residents should not be charged for anythingwhich “results from work a householder would normally carry out”.
ADefra spokesman toldDowns
Mail: “We have been clear that dis- posing of householdwaste, includ- ing waste from DIY home improvement projects, should be free of charge. That is why we are planning to reviewcurrent rules.” The county council hasdefended
its actions by saying the DIY levy is being re-investedinitswaste and recycling services, including a £250,000 cash injection into the fight against flytipping.
£349 FROM However, the Government be-
lieves that illegal dumping and backyard burning will actually be fuelled by disposal fees, which it describes as “backdoor charging”. KCC leader Paul Carter (pic-
tured) said he did not believe “the new policy will turn law-abiding citizens into criminals”, although he did concede: “I cannot predict what criminal gangs might do in response.” KCC introduced fees on June 3,
just days after ending a stand-off with neighbouring Medway, whose councillors feared the charges would drive Maidstone residents across the border. Medway threatened to close its
tips to Kent householders but re- lented following 11th hour negoti- ations, andpostponedaction for 18 months. Cllr Carter responded by an-
nouncing a new household waste recycling centre in Allington “within the next 12 to 15months”.
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Maidstone September 2019 21
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