Temporary road closure of the A2 at Newington

It is necessary to close the A2 High Street at Newington (Swale area) from Monday 2nd April 2012 for up to 3 weeks.

The closure is for gas mains replacement works to be carried out in a section of road too narrow for works to be done safely without a closure.

It is anticipated the road will be re-opened on or before Sunday 22nd April 2012.

Closure and alternative routes

The road will be closed between the junctions with Playstool Road (access remains as far as Wickham Close) and Bull Lane.

Delays are inevitable, and it is suggested that drivers consider using alternative routes for the duration of these works.

The main motorway alternative route is via A2, A249, M2 between junctions 5 and 4, A278 and A2.

An additional alternative route for non-motorway traffic is via A249 to Maidstone, thence A229 and A230 to Chatham then back onto the A2.

The specific road names for each diversion are listed at the foot of this Bulletin.

Details of closure

This closure has been re-scheduled to be carried out during the Easter Holidays, following extensive local consultation.

Works will be carried out 6 days a week, working extended hours, to reduce the length of time that the road is closed.

These works are part of a scheme to replace the ageing gas mains with modern materials to maintain the security of gas supplies.

Southern Gas Networks has a legal obligation to replace all iron pipes within 30 metres of properties, like the ones at Newington.

All other options have been considered to avoid closing the A2 but there is no satisfactory alternative.

The existing main is in the middle of the carriageway where the road is very narrow.

~ Whilst the road is closed, other highway improvement works will be carried out to avoid the need for separate closures and minimise future disruption ~

Traffic issues

Signage will be put in place on various roads in the vicinity of the road closure to indicate they are unsuitable for large vehicles.

Weight restrictions of 7.5 T (except for access) are likely to be in place on roads leading from the A2 between Rainham and the A249, when signposted (these roads are individually listed at the foot of this message and on the Public Notice)

The situation will be closely monitored, and it may be that additional traffic regulations are introduced for the safety of the public.

Contacts

These works are being carried out by Morrison Utility Services working with Southern Gas Networks.

The Southern Gas Networks 24-hour Customer Service Centre phone number is 0845 070 1431

Kent County Council’s 24-hour helpline is 08458 247 800

Enclosed is a copy of the Public Notice in confirmation of this, as well as an Information leaflet and map giving additional details about the scheme.

This bulletin contains public information and can be freely forwarded to any other road users who may be affected. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no liability can be accepted for any changes or errors.

Alternative Routes

Motorway

The alternative motorway route is via A2 Keycol Hill, A249 Maidstone Road, M2 from Junction 5 to Junction 4, A278 Hoath Way, A2 London Road and A2 High Street.

Non-motorway

The alternative route for non-motorway traffic is via A2 Keycol Hill, A249 Maidstone Road, Detling Hill, Sittingbourne Road, Bearsted Road, Penenden Heath Road, Sandling Lane, A229 Running Horse Roundabout, Chatham Road, Maidstone Road, A230 Horsted Way, Maidstone Road, A2 Best Street, Brookside, Union Street, New Road, Chatham Hill, Rainham Road, Watling Street, Sovereign Boulevard, Watling Street, London Road and High Street.

Weight Restrictions

A 7.5 Tonne weight restriction (except for access) will be imposed on the following roads, when the relevant signage is in place:

Spade Lane, Mill Lane, Breach Lane, Lower Hartlip Hill, Playstool Road, Church Lane, Bull Lane, Callaways Lane and Rook Lane.

Road names are taken from the National Street Gazetteer on Elgin, with alternative names given where known.

For details of roadworks, please see:  www.elgin.gov.uk

Visit our website:  www.kent.gov.uk/highways  to find out how we look after the roads in Kent.

Customer Information Bulletin SW180G / 1

Regards

Phil Lightman

Road Closures Co-ordinator, East Kent Division

KCC Highways & Transportation

Ashford Highway Depot

Javelin Way

Ashford

TN24 8AD

(08458 247 800 (24-hour Contact Centre)

Fax : 01233 648318

Email:  roadworkseast@kent.gov.uk
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Upchurch Matters featured in Inside Swale Magazine

Click on the article to enlarge it.

The latest edition of Swale Borough Councils 'Inside Swale Magazine' carries a full page feature on Upchurch Matters.

Inside Swale is published quarterly and delivered by Royal Mail to over 80,000 homes in the borough.

The article is great publicity for our village and the website and we are thrilled to be in there.

Upchurch Matters

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Mother's Day

Please remember your Mum.

Celebrate Mum and say thank you for all she is and all she does at our Mother's Day Service this Sunday, 18th of March, 10:30am in St. Mary's Church Upchurch.

A service for the whole family, with fun groups for the children, and flowers for Mum.

Rev Hugh Nelson

Curate, The Six

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Attempted Burglary

Motney Hill Road. An attempted Burglary between Midnight on Wednesday the 7th of March and 3:30pm on Thursday the 8th of March.

An attempt was made to force the front door but no entry was gained.

If you have any information, please contact your local police, on telephone number: 1 O 1, and state you are a member of Neighbourhood Watch.

Reference: DY4703 DA36. 

Kent Police Neighbourhood Watch.
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Pilot Officer Corbett

This interesting piece has come about during David Hughes research into the proposed new war memorial for Upchurch.

Shot down over Kent he crash landed at Bayford Marsh about a mile from Upchurch village. Rev. W.J. Wright went to the crash site and reported back to Corbett’s home church, also called St Mary’s in Oak Bay, Victoria British Columbia, Canada.


After the war, his family commissioned a stain glass window in Oak Bay and for many years a bouquet of red roses was placed under the window. Since local family members have died, a parishioner continues the Remembrance Day memory with a single red rose.

Thanks to the Times Colonist newspaper for the image of the window.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Parish Council Report – April 2012

The Parish Council met on Thursday 1^st March 2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present and 8 members of the public.

Public Time – SW/12/0058 - A resident asked the Council for an update on the planning application submitted for Hursell Farm. Footballs being kicked into Oak Lane - A resident explained that she was experiencing problems with footballs being kicked into Oak Lane. The problem was that footballers were using the trees in the Paddock as goal posts which caused the ball to bounce into the road, and sometimes even further, into their property and onto parked cars. Drop-In Session for Rural Needs Housing - A resident asked if it would be possible for the residents of Jubilee Fields to have a stand.

Correspondence – Cllr Ina Bean – A letter of resignation had been received. The Clerk will advertise a casual vacancy for one Councillor. It is hoped to hold interviews for any prospective applicant before the start of the Parish Council meeting in June. Please look out for further details.

           

Planning - SW/11/0672 Spade Lane Depot, Spade Lane – Application to extend the time limit for the implementation of the planning permission granted under SW/06/1345 – removal of condition 6 (VI) of SW/89/1248 (restriction use) and change of use to allow the Spade Lane Depot (including existing and unbuilt phase) to be used for general class B1C (light industrial), B2 (general industrial) or B8 (storage or distribution uses) - The Council reiterated previous objections and commented that, as this application was originally made in 2006 and has not yet been implemented, it would appear that there is no need for the changes to which it refers.

SW/12/0058 Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane – Change of use of site to allow the siting of a gypsy mobile home with associated parking and amenity space (retrospective) - The Council strongly objected to this becoming yet another gypsy site and requested that the Planning Department exercised its powers to refuse permission and take the necessary steps to order the land to be restored to its original state.

SW/12/0079 39 Oak Lane – Proposed two storey side and rear extension – There were no objections however it was commented that the size and extent of the extension could overshadow the adjacent residence and block sunlight. Serious consideration should be given to neighbours’ comments.

SW/12/0078 The Brown Jug, 76 Horsham Lane – Rear kitchen extension & alterations including oil fired boiler enclosure – There were no objections but stressed that comments from the neighbouring property owners be given serious consideration.

SW/12/0093 The Cart Lodge, Chaffes Lane – Provision of oak timber doors to enclose present parking area and 3 no. conservation style rooflights (see also SW/12/0137 for Listed Building Consent) – There were no objections. However, comments by neighbouring property owners should be given due consideration.

SW/12/0166 Yew Tree Cottage, Poot Lane – Garage extension to front, new roof extension over existing log-store, conversion of building to form granny annex – There were no objections. However neighbours views should be taken into consideration.                                                                                                           

APP/V2255/A/12/2169572/NWF – Ridgedale Stables, Halstow Lane - Removal of condition (7) of planning permission SW/08/0710 to allow permanent occupation of 3 mobile homes for gypsy family - appeal by Mr W Ball – The Clerk will reiterate previous objections.                                                                       

SW/12/0217 Land r/o 24 Wallbridge Lane – Demolition and replacement of existing building for use as a tractor and implement store – There were no objections.

ix) Permissions and Refusals - the following decision have been received: Permission granted:

SW/11/1150 6 Wallbridge Lane – Change of use to a residential unit caring for young mothers-babies

Rural Needs Housing - The working group had met with Alison Thompson from English Rural Housing Association (ERHA) and Tessa O’Sullivan from Action with Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK) to discuss organising a drop-in Session. It was suggested to hold this event on a weekday in June between the hours of 3pm – 7pm. The voting form needed further discussion but it was hoped that this could be offered to any resident who was prepared to record a good reason for not coming to the drop-in. ERHA and ACRK had advised against allowing opposition groups to set up a stand. Members will be discussing further how to organise the session but it is hoped as many residents as possible will be able to attend. Details of this event will be published as soon as possible.

Finance – Swale West Parishes Group –Members discussed project ideas for the KCC Local Engagement Forum Grant Scheme. It was agreed to submit an application for the sum of £5,000 towards play equipment for the Paddock.  

Administration - Annual Parish Meeting – This will be held on Thursday 26^th April 2012 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available after the meeting. It is hoped that Sergeant Tim Hill, Community Safety Sergeant will give a presentation. Also, it is hoped to discuss ideas for new play equipment in the Paddock and also, given an update on the Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

Allotments and Recreation Ground – Water at the Allotments – Cllr Apps reported that water usage would need to be monitored on a regular basis. Goal Posts in the Recreation Ground – It was agreed to install two sets of five-a side goal posts in the Recreation Ground at a cost of approx £700.

Paddock – Ball games in the Paddock – An email from resident concerned that youths were still kicking footballs over the fence into Oak Lane. It was agreed to investigate ways of putting up a net around the edge of the Paddock.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Tree Related Subsidence at 2 Horsham Lane -The Tree Officer from Swale BC was consulted. The trees behind the property do not have a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) on them. However, the trees alongside the property in the Churchyard are within a Conservation Area, so will have a TPO. A quote for removing the trees behind the property will be obtained. Yew Tree in Churchyard – The Tree Officer from Swale BC agreed that this tree could be cut back 2 metres within the building. Review of layout of Burial Ground – Members were advised that the slab path in the Burial Ground was covering some potential grave spaces. Also, the spoil heap needed to be relocated. The possibility of extending the Burial Ground was also discussed. A quote for lifting some of the slabs will be obtained.

Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee – An email from Mr Kemsley had been circulated regarding the purchase of mugs for all primary school children. Members discussed ways of spending the budgeted amount of £1,500 for the Celebrations and whether it was acceptable to purchase mugs for children who lived outside the Parish. It was agreed that the Committee would make the final decisions. KCC Broadband survey – Please do register your demand for a better broadband service in Kent via:  www.kent.gov.uk  You will find a link to the survey on the home page.

Highways - Proposed Bus Shelter – Correspondence from residents opposing the bus shelter had been circulated. It was suggested that members could consider the possibility of installing a Youth Shelter in the Paddock on the tarmac area. This might encourage the youths to gather there instead of any bus shelter. If this was a possibility, then designs for the bus shelter could be considered after this had been installed.            

Next meetings – Thursday 29^th March and 3^rd May, 7.30pm in the Hall of Holywell Primary School.

Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk - Tel:  01634 363906
Email:  clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
Website:  www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
Please note opening times: Mon-Thurs 9.00am -11.30am.

Upchurch Parish Council
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