‘Give us more police to stop drivers flouting ban’
A village feels under siege from commuters using as an unofficial Park and Ride and by those ignoring a driving ban.
Cars line the pavements of Detling village as drivers attempt to save money on parking in nearby Maidstone.
Motorists drive separately to the village then share lifts for their onward journeys.
While sharing car journeys can arguably be better for the environment, the vehicles block half of the area’s roads.
Resident Tony Taylor, said: “The roads in the village are filled with cars because of these commuters.
“People park there all day so they can meet up with their friends to lift share into Maidstone.
“I think they do it to save money on parking or to get the train to London.
“It’s a nuisance because they block the roads and if anyone wants to get into the village hall there’s no space.”
Until February 2016 Maidstone council operated a Park and Ride service from the nearby Sittingbourne Road into town.
This stopped as Maidstone council was unable to reach a deal with Gallagher Properties, the owners of the site, for a renewal of its lease which expired in February of that year.
In Detling there are also calls for more police as motorists are ignoring a driving ban.
They are continuing to use Detling as a rat run despite there being a prohibition order on the main roads during rush hour.
Kent County Council placed a driving restriction between 7am to 9.30am from Monday to Friday for the length of Pilgrims Way and The Street.
This followed a public consultation in May 2016.
However, Detling is popular for motorists as it is in a prime spot to avoid traffic on the A249 and the M20.
Parish councillor John Clayton told villagers he had been in touch with policing inspector, Jody Gagan-Cook, from the Maidstone community safety unit to increase police presence.
He said: “What we have found is if police arrive, the traffic turns around.
“The police cars and the florescent jackets are a deterrent, we can use this with a PCSO to start issuing turn around notices.”
He added PCSOs do not have the power to fine people but can issue a warning, which is still effective.
Kent Police has offered to assign a volunteer police officer for the village twice a week.
Additionally Cllr Clayton added there is the option of introducing a volunteer speed watch into the village at a cost of £600 to cover the price of training.
County councillor Shellina Prendergast shared her sympathies with the villagers but added these issues are being faced in other areas.
She said: “This has been an ongoing issue and it is not going to be solved overnight.
“We’ve tried all the signs but the key is obviously enforcement. If these signs are not going to be enforced, it won’t stop people.”
She added: “We need to keep working on this but I’m sorry to say there are not any quick fixes.”
However she did offer to contribute some of her member allowance to pay for slow signs if needed.