Maidstone East Edition Malling Edition
October 2017 January 2020
Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper
downsmail.co.uk
FREE No. 246
Parking fees fury as details emerge
Panto ahoy!
A WAR of words has started following the disclosure of parking changes and proposed increased charges in Malling. The proposals from Tonbridge
THE cast of Cinderella, which is to be staged at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maid- stone, took to the River Medway to launch this year's panto. On board The Kentish Lady were national treasure Rustie Lee (Fairy Godmother), former EastEnder Ste- fan Booth (Prince Charming), Eliza- beth Bright (Cinderella), Craig Anderson (Buttons) and, pictured, Stephen Richards and Adam Bor- zone (Ugly Sisters) . They were greeted by pupils from
CCTV call in a bid to stop fly-tipping
and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) include a £5 hike in park- ing permits and an end to free spaces at Martin Square, Lark- field; Bailey Bridges, Aylesford and Rocfort Road, Snodland. The changes go out for public consultation later this month. In Snodland, rising concerns
CALLS for the installation of CCTV cameras to prevent fly-tipping on a country road have been made by the local borough councillor.
Burberry Lane, near Leeds and Broomfield, has been targeted by waste dumpers for years, but in re- cent months, the problem has be- come more acute. Constructionwaste, rubble, hard
have already seen the borough council agree to a survey of the area’s wider parking problems. The dispensation was won by borough councillor David Let- tington (pictured), who says that while it is “highly unlikely” it will stop charges at Rocfort Road, it will allow time for a closer look at the area’s complex parking issues. He said: “There are numerous
core, windows and household fur- niture is left illegally – often strewn in the middle of the road. Cllr Gill Fort said: “Every month
we are having toilets, sinks and construction waste dumped in the village, specifically in Burberry Lane, where we are now thinking of installing cameras on private land, to oversee the problem area.” A recent event in Burberry Lane
saw a caravan burned out while a torched car remains on a footpath
issues in Snodland, with busi- nesses using the car park; a lack of parking for homes on Malling Road; commuters using back streets to avoid station charges and the hardship created for traders. “The free parking arrangement
in Rocfort Road is not working and fails to generate the turnover needed, but we’re open to ideas.” Commentators say the whole
idea of charging misses the point, that there are not enough places
nearby, more than a year after it was dumped and set on fire. The church car park has also seen
many instances of illegal dumping. But it is a problem in many rural
areas including Langley, Otham and Kingswood. Water Lane in Bearsted and Pilgrims Way have also been targeted recently. Last year, Maidstone Borough Council cleared 911 cases of fly-tip- ping and this year more than 163 have been recorded since April. The approaching darker evenings will prompt a rise in illegal tipping. Cllr Fort welcomed a joint initia-
tive by the Environment Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Stan- dards Agency to clamp down on
to park in the area. Larkfield bor- ough councillor David Thornewell says parking charges will serve only as “a revenue raiser”, adding: “All three of these free car parks supply a local need in areas like Aylesford, where residents have nowhere else to park.” In West Malling, KCC member
and borough councillor Trudy Dean adds: “We need more park- ing to encourage shoppers, not charges that will keep them away.” TMBC claims the proposals,
unlicensed waste carriers, but be- lieves the cost to small firms of dis- posing of construction waste at a transfer station is proving a deter- rent that is costing councils more. Cllr Fort made her remarks as
one of the borough’s closest trans- fer stations at North Farm, Tun- bridge Wells, announced it will be closed for 10weeks. She added: “If you go along the
our roads and car parks become more congested, charges can help local businesses by encouraging a turnover in spaces, which makes it easier for shoppers and visitors to find a place.” A public consultation runs until February 9. Comments on changes to on- help take the issue off the streets. the consultation
line of increasing fines, they have to be enforced. A reduction in the charge or offering it free may have the desired similar effect.” Athree-monthly litter pick on the mile-long stretch of road through Leeds village produces an average 32 black sacks of rubbish.
Cllr Fort, who also serves as a parish councillor, says teaching children about social responsibility and the issue of litter in schools will street parking can be made from March 13,
01622 690290 YOUR LOCAL PROPERTY EXPERT
maidstone@martinco.com 23 Pudding Lane • Maidstone • Kent
receiving a weekly refuse collection service, there is no excuse for litter being thrown from vehicles or
Malling Mail inside.
which include raising charges at Blue Bell Hill and Haysden and Leybourne Lakes, are sugges- tions. They would generate £336,000 a year, but claims they are “fair”, will help manage park- ing problems and cover the cost of running its car parks. A freeze on 30-minute parking fees, and a 10p-70p rise for longer stays, is proposed. TMBC’s Robert Styles said: “As
South Borough Primary School and members of the media. The panto runs from December 1-31. For tick- ets go to
www.hazlitttheatre.co.uk.
News
KATE Hart, a resident at an old people’s home in Bearsted, has died aged 107, her son David has disclosed.
News
HELEN Whately asked the government to halt the borough’s housing scheme.
Maidstone & Malling’s No. 1 newspaper
FREE No. 273
Kate, 107, dies Church uncertain 3
MP’s Local Plan bid Drivers wanted4 Plans for Dr Nigel
Scouts get gift Jason Donovan date
THE former Neighbours star brings his show to the Hazlitt Theatre next May.
A CHURCH faces an uncertain future as the site it is on in West Malling could be sold for housing.
THE widow of GP Dr Nigel Minnet will walk the Grand Canyon for charity. 12
A GROUP which distributes food to the homeless has put out an appeal for drivers to vol- unteer to help.
A SCOUT group in Snodland could benefit from local people shopping at their local Co-op store.
18 Football progress
WORK continues apace on the new changing and hospitality facilities at Snodland Town FC, the first bricks being laid.
Obituaries Obituaries à20 à23 Parish Councils 34-35
ASH dieback has been discovered in Monks Meadow in Detling; Hollingbourne village fete stall- holder co-ordinator Jean Duffy has resigned; yellow lines are needed for Buffkyn Way, Otham, to allow buses through Imperial Park; rub- bish bins in the sports field in Kingswoodare to be moved over to the picnic area and rear exit.
A REAR number plate was taken from a vehicle in a car park in Aylesford; bottles were hurled at a house in Leybourne; diesel was stolen from diggers in Kings Hill; burglars took belongings, includ- ing a handbag, from a property in Larkfield; power tools were stolen from a shed in East Malling and credit cards were taken from a purse in Larkfield.
Crime Reports à26 32
à3
à4 à6
Comment à34-35 Crime Reports 35
She believes with every household on changes in Snodland ex- pected to start in May.
ACEHome Alarms supplied and fitted 736 London Road, Larkfield, Kent ME20 6BG
VEHICLES have been driven over farmland in Lenham, causing damge to crops; an attempted break-in was reported in Detling; a vehicle was vandalised in Bearsted Rd, Weavering; pumpkins were stolen from an allotment in Lenham.
l For more on parking, see Comment 46-47 dumped in the road.
visit
www.amiga.co.uk or call 08000 199622
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Inside this edition: KENT County Council has plans to modify traffic signals at the A20 London Road junction with New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, to help in- crease the traffic flow through the junction.
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