LET’S MOVE IT
Ideas to stop traffic jams
People differ if asked what are the best things about Maidstone. Some say its shops, some say its parks, some say the river. But if you ask what is the worst thing, everyone agrees – it’s the traffic.
Maidstone’s Local Plan is nearing completion following its examination by the government inspector, but the complementary document, the Integrated Transport Strategy, that was due to accompany the Local Plan, remains unapproved, after Kent County Council refused to back the original proposals.
Since then, Maidstone council and KCC have been gradually inching towards finding common ground on a newly titled Integrated Transport Package.
Most of its proposals require major changes to road junctions, such as Sutton Road and Willington Street. Major changes mean major bucks, so they will always be dependent on funding.
The South Maidstone Action for Roads and Transport forum – or SMART – is on a mission to ‘Get Maidstone Moving’ and has developed a series of initiatives designed to address increasing traffic problems.
It believes smaller changes would be made that would help ease congestion, without being too costly.
And it is inviting parish councils or community groups or individuals to make positive practical suggestions for KCC and MBC to consider.
Made up of representatives from the North Loose Residents Association, Loose Parish Council, the Loose Amenities Association and the Valley Conservation Society, and supported by ward councillors Derek Mortimer and Susan Grigg, SMART said it had suggestions that were “credible, cost effective and benefit the whole community”.
They range from repositioning bus stops, reformatting the road layout at the Armstrong Road junction, to addressing issues such as air pollution, pedestrian safety, cycle paths and parking.
Sean Carter, chairman, said: “SMART was born from listening to local residents about the daily challenges they face as a result of overwhelming traffic. And with 1,766 more houses due to be built in Marden, Coxheath, Boughton Monchelsea and Staplehurst, as well as a large commercial development at the bottom of Linton Hill in the future, this isn’t a problem that is going away.
“We believe relatively simple solutions can achieve significant results and we suggest other areas around Maidstone follow the SMART example.”
If you have ideas, email Alan Smith on ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk