More houses mean more

Senior reporter Senior reporter While I agree Maidstone needs more safe cycle routes (KM September 16) it seems to me the proposal is a result of Maidstone Borough Council having realised too late what everyone else knew – more houses mean more traffic on already congested roads. The phrase ‘shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted’ comes to mind.

The council seems to find it impossible to deal with the increase in traffic in and around Maidstone and yet continues to grant the building of large housing estates. The addition of a few cycle routes here and there will not ease traffic congestion.

A proposed route along the River Medway between Allington and East Farleigh is all well and good for leisure, but does not address the problem of getting to and from work in and around Maidstone for those who wish to cycle. It will take years to provide enough safe linked-up cycle routes and any reduction in traffic as a result will be miniscule when house building continues unabated. Mrs J Fulton Coverdale Avenue, Maidstone

I was very interested to read your comments on air pollution (KM September 9) and wholeheartedly agree the council should be doing more to reduce the deaths and long Senior reporter Senior reporter term ill health caused by air pollution mainly from traffic.

This is why the Liberal Democrats and some from other parties have been leading with initiatives to improve to improve walking, cycling and our public transport. This is sometimes against deepseated opposition from many in the Senior reporter Reporter Conservative party, particularly in KCC, which initially opposed the borough’s Integrated Transport Strategy because it contains measures to boost public transport, cycling and walking.

Similarly, the Lib Dem leadership, again working with others, has refused to accept the timid approach