Greater vision for our future

The Local Plan for the development of Maidstone up to 2037 will be finalised over the next few months.

Maidstone has had a severe air pollution problem from traffic for many years with little effective action to reduce it.

Over the past year, however, Covid-19 has led to both a reduction in traffic and air pollution, and a significant increase in cycling and walking. In the past, MBC and KCC have not cooperated well, resulting in a piecemeal approach to this problem. At present their policy is to improve junctions on the main roads through the town to carry even more traffic and therefore more pollution, through residential areas in the town to the M20 and large new employment areas near the junctions.

A more sustainable vision and plan is urgently needed to reduce this traffic and pollution, and promote more sustainable walking, cycling and bus journeys to school, shops, work and so on. Where possible sustainable journeys should be through greener, more biodiverse corridors that encourage community use and safer play. This won’t be easy, but we need ambition and vision to achieve it over time. A practical plan will also avoid waste like the recent loss of £100,000 on the King Street cycle route.

We are now in KCC and MBC election campaigns and we need to press our councillors to produce and consult on such a plan before it is too late. Can I invite candidates to respond to the KM on this before May 6? John Hughes