 |
Liberal Democrats on Kent County CouncilThe Official Opposition on Kent County Council |
West Malling Lorry Ban to Stay
June 11, 2004 3:55 PM
Trudy Dean is pleased that the lorry ban will remain in West Malling High Street
Local County Councillor, Trudy Dean, has welcomed Kent County Council's 'U' turn decision not to remove 33 tonne weight restriction on West Malling High Street. Last year KCC put forward plans to remove the weight limit as part of strengthening and safety roadworks on Bull Bridge which carries the High Street over the railway line. The change would have allowed heavy lorries into the town.
Trudy opposed overturning the ban and organised a residents' petition against the removal of the weight limit. She said: "West Malling's historic town centre must be protected from noisy damaging and dangerous vehicles in our narrow streets. Residents overwhelmingly supported keeping the lorry ban and I am pleased it is to stay."
The work will be carried out in the school summer holidays as Trudy asked, so that as few people as possible are affected. The work will involve the loss of about four parking spaces marked out by the Borough Council in April this year.
Notes to Editors
The bridge no longer satisfies current safety standards for the weight of traffic it bears. Roadworks will include the removal of some parking spaces and lane separation by means of a red tarmac 'island'. These are designed to reduce and redistribute the weight on the bridge. Tall protective kerbs must also be installed to prevent vehicles crashing into or through the bridge parapets onto the railway line. The plans were approved at yesterday's meeting of Tonbridge & Malling Joint Transportation Board.