Still some bumps in road for roundabout revamp Pumpkin picking fun is rained off
Flyover scheme to go to a public inquiry after objections
A public inquiry is due to be held to decide on the plans for an upgrade to Stockbury Roundabout – unless Highways England (HE) irons out its differences with objectors before then. The authority is planning to build a flyover at the A249’s junction with the M2 at Junction 5 for Sittingbourne, Sheppey and Maidstone.
But following a consultation for interested parties in June, it looks as though a decision on the scheme will go down to the wire, at a public inquiry to be held a month before works are due to start.
At Maidstone council’s Joint Transportation Board meeting last week, Andrew Salmon, programme leader at HE, said: “The Department for Transport confirmed to us that unless all the statutory objections are withdrawn, the scheme will have to proceed to a public inquiry on February 11, 2020.
“In the meantime the project team are working with the objectors to address their concerns with the aim of trying to remove objections and not go to a public inquiry.”
As well as a number of landowners, the groups HE will need to win over are the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is concerned about the environmental impact, and Stockbury Parish Council. Members are demanding a bridge to be built, saying the village would be cut off under the plans, which would remove access via Honeycrock Hill and make the Church Hill junction “more dangerous”. HE responded to say Kent County Council was looking to secure funding for one as part of a separate scheme.
The inquiry is expected to last around two weeks. If the plans are approved, it is hoped works would start in March and be finished by late autumn or early winter the following year.
To view the proposal, visit tinyurl.com/KMstockbury
Rain stopped play at a popular family attraction this half-term. Those turning up to Pumpkin Moon to pick their own ahead of Halloween celebrations next week were turned away on Monday and Tuesday because the fields were “simply too wet.” The muddy conditions forced owner Charlie Eckley to shut both sites, at Old Chatham Road in Sandling, near Maidstone, and in Lower Rainham Road, Rainham.
Pumpkin Moon posted on social media to say it was “disappointed” to have to close but reopened yesterday (Wednesday) once the fields had dried out.
According to amateur weatherman Lester Gosbee, October has been the wettest month of the year so far with 110mm of rainfall up to Monday.
Visit Pumpkin Moon on Facebook at @pumpkinmoonuk.