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Liberal Democrats on Kent County CouncilThe Official Opposition on Kent County Council |
RESIDENTS' ACTION FORCES "U" TURN ON STATION PARKING
January 17, 2005 12:23 PM
The locals' choice has lowest environmental impact, is big enough to provide the spaces needed, and is relatively cheap to build.
Residents, West Malling Parish Council and local Lib Dem Councillors are celebrating their success in getting a change of site for 200 plus new car parking spaces at West Malling Railway Station.
In July 2004, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council published proposals for linking the station direct with the West Malling Bypass. Improved public transport, passenger pick up/drop off points, and new parking were included. Their chosen site for new parking was on exposed protected farmland between the station and nearby Eden Farm. The Borough Council's approval of the site was memorably signalled in a 40 minute long speech by Leader and West Malling member, Mark Worrall. The only opponents to the choice were Lib Dem Borough Councillors David Thornewell and Liz Simpson.
Almost universal protest followed publication of the plans. At a packed public meeting arranged by West Malling Parish Council, Councillor Matthew Balfour, TMBC Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, explained the Borough's choice. However, residents agreed unanimously to reject the Borough's plan. Residents overwhelmingly preferred car parking to be concealed between the new link road and the bypass. Residents voted unanimously for a proposal put to the meeting by Chairman Trudy Dean, that the Borough Council be asked to bring in independent consultants to assess all the options and select the best. TMBC accepted this.
On Friday 14th January, consultant WSP reported their findings that the site favoured by local people was after all, the best site. WSP say the locals' choice has lowest environmental impact, is big enough to provide the spaces needed, and is relatively cheap to build.
Welcoming the new report, Trudy Dean, who is also the Lib Dem County Councillor for West Malling said: It just goes to show that local people often do know best, and that we can make a difference if we stick to our guns."
The new plans go on display for public comment at West Malling Station from 4.00pm to 9.00pm on Friday 21st January, and at West Malling Primary School from 10.00 am till 3.00pm on Saturday, January 22nd.
The summary of the WSP report and a simple map of the preferred site is on the TMBC website at: www.tmbc.gov.uk/stationparking
Click on the "click here to see the results of their study" towards the bottom of the page.