News


downsmail.co.uk Brock work ‘until November’


USERS of the M20 face disruption until November as work continues to re-install Operation Brock between junction eight at Leeds Castle and junction nine in Ashford.


As the Brexit transition period finishes at the end of the year, a contraflow will be made from concrete blocks. These will be stored on the hard shoulder until the time comes to set them in place, and a separate steel barrier will be erected to pro- tect workers between September and November. When overnight closures are


lifted for this work, the London- bound side will be reduced to two lanes with a 50mph limit where work is in progress. The coastbound stretch remains open, with a 60mph speed limit and night lane restrictions. Most of the closures do not af-


County lines


crack seizure OVER £8,000 has been seized fol- lowing a crackdown on county lines drug-dealing last month. Kent Police made 29 arrests and


received authority to issue 42 new charges in August. A London-based offender who


was supplying drugs to Maid- stone was jailed following analy- sis of his calls and CCTV images. The man was found guilty of supplying crack cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to three years and eight months in jail. Detective Chief Inspector Lopa McDermott, who leads the team, said: “It has been another busy month for our officers, but their hard work is paying off and we are continuing to arrest and charge those who enter the county to attempt to deal illegal substances.


“Our zero-tolerance approach has led to a significant number of drug seizures and my team will continue to take robust action against these criminals.”


History date HEADCORN Local History Soci-


ety will restart meetings with a quiz night in Headcorn village hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 30.


The meeting will be subject to


government regulations in opera- tion at the time. Full details will be available on the village notice- board and the local history newsletter, closer to the date.


28 Science school opens


A NEW School of Science and Technology in Maidstone has opened its doors to the founding cohort of 192 year sevens. The building has 11 science


rooms, six computer suites, along with specialist music, drama, and design technology rooms. The school opened on Tuesday,


September 8, and a formal cere- mony will take place in November. Headteacher Van Beales says


she feels “privileged to be leading such a wonderful school.” VIAT chief executive, Julie Der-


rick, said: “Seeing our school open for students was an absolutely fan- tastic experience for us all.


“Today is the culmination of six


years of hard work and dedication, and I am confident that students, parents and staff will now reap the benefits. "I have no doubt that Van


Beales and her outstanding team will do a fantastic job in moving the school forward in the coming weeks, months and years.” Mrs Beales said: “As our found-


ing cohort, these pupils will always be an important part of the his- tory of the school, and the Trust and my team and I can’t wait to get to know them all and create a supportive, creative, enthusiastic, happy school community.”


‘Migrant’ found in roof box


A SUSPECTED migrant was found in the roof box of a car in Maidstone. Police were called to the services at junction 8 of the M20 at about 10am on Monday, September 7. A Kent Police spokesman said: “Patrols attended the scene where the person was detained, and enquiries commenced with Home Office immigration officers.”


CLOSURES of the M20 between junctions 8 and 9 from 9pm to 6am are as follows: September 24 – September 25 September 28 – October 2 October 4 – October 5 October 12 – October 16 October 18 – October 19 November 3 – November 6 November 9 – November 12 Source: Highways England


fect Saturday nights, although Highways England has ruled in a “contingency period” for further works between November 12 and December 1, should there be de- lays.


Highways England said: “Our work includes pavement repairs, drainage repairs, road markings and stud work, crash barrier work, central reservation gate in- stallation, CCTV system installa- tion and the installation of the new moveable barriers at the back of the M20 London-bound hard- shoulder. “Although we’re closing the London-bound motorway at night, it will remain open during the day, operating with narrow lanes at 50mph where work is in progress.” When active, Operation Brock will see one side of the motorway will be used by HGVs heading to


Channel ports, with all other traf- fic restricted to a 50mph con- traflow on the opposite carriageway. This year, bosses say the barrier used to create the contraflow can be installed within hours, thanks to a specialist “zipper” machine. In its statement, Highways Eng- land added: “Unlike the previous solution implemented in 2019, this new moveable barrier system allows the M20 to be returned to normal conditions at 70mph when not required within several hours instead of weeks. “We are working hard to make this solution ready for December 2020.”


Arrest for boy,


14, ‘in threat’ A BOY has been arrested after 'threatening to kill a girl' at Mar- den train station. Police were called to the inci- dent at around 11.51am on Tues- day, September 8. The 14-year-old was shortly


after identified at Ashford Inter- national and has now been re- leased on bail. A catapult and knife were also seized during the arrest. A BTP spokeswoman said: "Of- ficers received a report of a boy threatening a girl at Marden sta- tion at 11.51am yesterday, before then boarding a train towards Ramsgate.


"Officers met the train at Ash-


ford International and identified a 14-year-old boy in connection. "He was arrested on suspicion of a possession of an offensive weapon and making threats to kill. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.” The alleged offender cannot be identified for legal reasons.


Rider injured


A MOTORCYCLIST was injured following a collision with a car in Marden. The collision happened in Sta- plehurst Road at around 9.40am on Monday, September 7. A Kent Police spokesman said: “Officers and South East Coast Ambulance Service attended the scene where the motorcyclist re- ceived treatment for injuries.”


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