Traffic, with or without bicycles
Reporter Villages editor the council has so far taken to producing any plans to deal with air pollution. We are working to bring forward a proper plan along with progressive members of other parties.
This is why people who do care about these issues need to get involved, such as my fellow Lib Dem Sports editor Political editor Supplements editor councillors on MBC. In five years as a transport campaigner and now a councillor in Maidstone, I recollect I have not yet once met a Green party representative taking part, attending open consultations or perhaps asking these questions at council meetings that all of the public are welcome to do. Business editor What’s On reporter
Maidstone’s first Cyclefest organised by the cycle forum, takes place tomorrow (Saturday) slap bang in the middle of the town to promote the ongoing improvements to cycling in our borough. James Willis Maidstone borough councillor for Heath ward kentonline editor kentonline news editor
I read with a mixture of interest and confusion your last week’s front page story regarding the creation of cycle routes and that parking fees are to rise.
If the council feels so strongly about the use of bicycles why did they grant permission for a drive-in restaurant in the most congested part of Maidstone?
Perhaps the restaurant will be installing a bike lane, as a burger is probably one of the few things you could buy in the town while using a cycle.
Drivers do not need to despair though, as there is plenty of free parking – while doing any shopping that cannot be carried on a bicycle – at Eclipse Park where, as I predicted in my letter to the KM November 2015, ‘the County Town centre will be able to relocate’. Keeping the developers happy but to the dismay of all existing town centre traders.
Within my 2015 letter I further predicted a ‘deluge of developer planning applications’, unfortunately I appear to have been correct as these cycle routes would largely be funded with section 106 cash from the predicted developers and from parking profits.
What is the council thinking of? It has all but destroyed our CCTV and is now planning to scrap it totally and appear to be totally determined to destroy the County Town perhaps to the benefit of others.
Maidstone is a market town which should be promoted and maintained as such. David Savory Union Street, Maidstone