Readers say drivers need to think inside the box
Several readers have suggested traffic flows would be greatly improved around the County Town if only drivers were better educated about box junctions.
For those unfamiliar with the rule, you must not enter the yellow crisscross box until your exit lane is clear. However, you may enter the box and wait when you want to turn right, and are only stopped from doing so by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.
When people ignore the rule it often results in traffic trying to go in the other direction being held up.
Two additional sites for yellow boxes have been suggested.
The offset crossroads for Campbell Road and King Edward Road joining Hayle Road is very difficult for traffic from both roads at peak times. Traffic heading down into the town often can’t cross the junction and just sits there, denying cars from either side-road the chance to get out.
The same situation occurs on Wat Tyler Way, at the junction with Romney Place. Traffic want- the town with the A229 to Loose and Staplehurst and Sutton Road towards Headcorn, would be a “shared-space” scheme like they have in Poynton, Cheshire.
Colin Whittle, from Marden, was sceptical as the Maidstone numbers are considerably higher and said it would be unlikely drivers unable to exit the shared space would leave it clear for others.
He said the rush-hour delays were caused by issues further along the roads network.
Mr Whittle suggested a return to a roundabout, but admitted that would do nothing to help pedestrians.
Jennifer Woodhouse, of Loose Road, suggested the only way to ease congestion and major air pollution would be a Southern Relief Road. A donation from a hospital helped to put the sparkle into a fundraising ball.
Benenden Hospital gave Breast Cancer Kent a cheque for £1,500 to go towards Laura’s Ball at Leeds Castle, Maidstone, which was held on Saturday, October 8 .
The ball was held in memory of Breast Cancer Kent volunteer Laura Clarke, who was treated for breast cancer at the age of 29, only for it to return two years later while she was organising a ball for the charity. Laura was a cardiac physiologist at Maidstone Hospital for nine years.
Benenden Hospital’s development manager, Paul Apps, presented the cheque at Kent Oncology Centre, Maidstone Hospital, to Russell Burcombe, consultant clinical oncologist and Breast Cancer Kent trustee, Dr Karina Cox, consultant breast and oncoplastic surgeon and chairman of Breast Cancer Kent and fundraiser Helen Teare.