downsmail.co.uk  THE Covid-19 virus hopefully still


No end to traffic nightmares MailMarks


declines – but the very different type of viruses aacking Maidstone traffic and services are having a bad summer so far. The severe impacts on Maidstone’s quality of life will continue. But I prefer to start with good news.


Three times Maidstone councillors have soundly rejected the Bellway plan to build 421 houses on countryside off narrow Church Road, Otham, adjoining the grade one listed ancient church. Council planning officers fought long and hard in its favour, and warned of heavy costs as they expect a council defeat when the plan goes to appeal. KCC Highways strongly oppose the plan because of safety issues in Church Road and the impact on overloaded Willington Street as extra vehicles pour in from Deringwood Drive, with new traffic lights at that junction seriously adding to the chaos. They are right – and this will be among many influential objections at the appeal hearing. Be prepared for another bale royal. But news from Kent Highways about the future of Maidstone roads at the July meeting of the Joint Transportation Board (JTB) is depressing, and offers no hope of significant new infrastructure such as roads, bypass, bridges. It has been the same story for very many years – and now looks never-ending. A Kent Highways officer told the


meeting latest modelling for an east Maidstone strategic road showed it would bring relief to the villages of Leeds and Langley, but not to the wider area of Maidstone. A smaller scheme – a beer version of the road currently servicing these villages – also comes at a high cost, and as there is no funding it would need to be financed, probably by housing. Most in Maidstone will not accept the


Kent view. Either version of this road will bring relief to the large rural area of East Maidstone and take traffic off congested main routes, notably Willington Street. There are already signs


Homes fight goes on


WHILE we are optimistically cautious, following Maidstone Borough Council’s third refusal of the Bellway Church Road development plans at Otham, we now have to face a planning inquiry appeal into the development applications. However, it is right we now record our appreciation for the help provided by numerous supporters of the opposition to the Bellway proposals that has got us this far. We owe thanks to the support we have received from publications such as Downs Mail and its readers for highlighting the blight that would have been caused, had Maidstone councillors approved the application.


DENNIS FOWLE President dennisfowle28@gmail.com


this bale will flare up again. The same Kent officer reported on


wide Maidstone opposition to the six separate Kent smaller proposals to “Keep Maidstone Moving”. In my last Mail Marks, before the virus caused this newspaper to stop publishing for four months, I said these proposals were largely unpopular and lile more than “moving the Titanic deckchairs as Maidstone sinks”. Nothing has happened to change


Maidstone’s views expressed in a public consultation, but it seems Kent officers will shortly be puing most proposals (some with very late amendments) before Kent’s cabinet member for highways with a recommendation they should be progressed, now funding is available. I hope he is hearing the furious comments reaching me. What is the sense of public consultation if the authorities ignore it? So many in Maidstone believe most of the proposals are badly flawed and will add to congestion and dangers, and some harm the local environment. One example is doubling the size of the


Coldharbour roundabout on the A20 approaching Aylesford and removing traffic lights. The JTB meeting did not hear a word in its favour. It was the same story for the Loose


Road/ Cripple Street/Boughton Lane junction and the latest proposal for the Wheatsheaf junction at Suon Road/ Loose Road, including closure of Cranbourne Avenue. Only the Suon Road/Armstrong Road/ Park Way/Sheals Crescent proposal avoided the bombardment, and that was the one to gain reasonable public support in the consultation. With Covid-19 subsiding, traffic in


Yes we do need houses, but new


housing needs to be sited in places that don’t diminish, but ideally enhance Maidstone’s travel and service opportunities for new and existing residents. In voting to refuse this application on


grounds of road safety and traffic congestion councillors did their electorate a great service. It’s sad that planning officers


continued to support Bellway in spite of the weight of evidence and genuine concern expressed by thousands of local residents. Whether the planning department can get behind the decision of councillors at the appeal hearing remains to be seen. Their actions have


Maidstone is rapidly escalating again. Many still work from home, but the Government now is saying “get back to your place of work” if you can. We must expect Maidstone traffic and severe congestion to return to the horrific levels pre-virus. Anything else is wishful thinking. Some on Maidstone Borough Council


still press for “modal shift” (I believe that phrase has now been changed to modal choice), geing us walking, cycling and using public transport. That may influence some if it is convenient and fits a lifestyle. But for the vast majority, especially


Maidstone’s very big rural population, the car is essential. It is door-to-door and usually faster, safer, comfortable, and carries passengers, shopping and luggage. Walking and cycling will be a fitness araction for some; for the majority (especially our big more elderly population) they are a non-starter. I welcome announcements at the JTB


meeting of improving the footpath on the boundary of Maidstone Hospital to a cycle route, as well Government support for a cycle hub for a route from Maidstone East Station to Mote Park. Cyclists need encouraging. But nothing is in the pipeline to end


Maidstone’s traffic nightmares – and with all the unwanted development ahead it is going to get worse. The Maidstone public rebellion on massive over-development, appalling traffic chaos and severe pressure on vital services due to unprecedented population growth seems set to grow. Not a happy picture.





Simon Says DOWNS Mail is now a fortnightly


Maidstone newspaper instead of an editionalised monthly. Mail Marks will continue monthly, alternating with a new column by editor Simon Finlay, titled “Simon Says”. He, too, will set you thinking about important Maidstone maers.


placed the council and ratepayers of Maidstone in an invidious position. We must ensure we keep striving to gain more support before the appeal inquiry. We are intensifying awareness via the Change.org online petition that currently has well over 1,700 signatories. Please sign the petition to be found at: Change.org/STOPChurchRoadDevelopm ent and share it with friends and family. David Hatcher, chairman, Chapman Avenue Residents’ Association


Officers are not in charge


IT WAS encouraging that councillors from across the political spectrum decided to stand firm against the


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