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Transport Press Releases
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Maidstone Labour GroupMOTE PARK FOR SALE?06/11/96At last Tuesday's Planning and Transportation meeting of Maidstone Borough Council the Labour Group expressed outrage at a recent advertisement which appeared for a major residential development opportunity at Mote House which includes 9 acres in the heart of parkland. The Policy and Operations Group of the Committee had, despite objections, proposed to allow development within the outbuildings of Mote House and in the walled garden.John Morgan, the Labour Group Spokesperson said: Legalistic arguments used to take parts of Mote Park away from the people of Maidstone will not impress them and frankly they do not impress me. Wendy Marlow, Deputy Group Leader, said: Mote Park should be for the use of the people of Maidstone in perpetuity and for leisure and cultural activities - not for private housing development. The Planning and Transportation Committee agreed to refer the matter back for
reconsideration. MONORAIL FOR MAIDSTONE?At last Tuesday's Planning and Transportation meeting of Maidstone Borough Council the Labour Group proposed that the Council explore new ways of crossing the crowded, congested town centre. John Morgan, the Labour Group Spokesperson said: We have got to the point where traffic is often at a standstill, where people would sooner travel elsewhere to shop and take their leisure, where pollution is a constant hazard. It is unlikely that we will see very much funding forthcoming for the environmental improvements our roads need. We must invest in an efficient, sustainable public transport system. Maidstone is in the lead with Park and Ride, we have recently introduced minimum sulphur fuel and will shortly be introducing more user friendly buses. They will help; but we have no more space for traffic. We have to look at other options. One way is go over the top - literally. Modern electric monorails could be an important contribution to an integrated transport system, taking passengers from Park and Ride sites over the havoc, cleanly and efficiently. I have asked Council officers to look into what is possible in partnership with local operators and consultation with users and residents. If we can't solve the problem in the short term let's rise above it.
WHO'S WATCHING YOU?On an initiative of Cllr Mark Kirby, Labour Councillor for Shepway West, the Maidstone Borough Council will be piloting a scheme for 'follow through' close circuit television monitoring in the towns car parks. This will enable greater personal security for users and residents and check the rising tide of attacks in public car parking spaces.Adrian Tilley, Labour Group Leader, commented that: This is a step that will eventually make it possible for members of the public to request that their movement through the Borough's car parks be monitored and their safety secured. John Morgan, Labour spokesperson on the Borough's Planning and Transportation Committee, welcomed the experiment and said: We must also ensure that we can follow up what we see on the screens. It seems that Britain is becoming the CCTV capital of the world. We have to have the staff and the procedures in place to act appropriately and we must ensure that the cameras will not be abused. Council officers gave assurances that there was a strict code of practice and that any rate payer who was concerned would be welcome to contact the office for further information and to inspect the control room. For Further Information Contact:
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