Flooded Road Impassable? Not Our Responsibility, Says KCC Flood Management

Photo: Alan Divers.

While many areas of England are sadly experiencing major flooding during the recent excessive weather conditions, our local roads have not been unaffected.

Take Boxted Lane, Newington; it is frequently flooded, and recent heavy rainfall has worsened the problem to the extent that the road is now virtually impassable.

KCC state that “it appears that the grips or channels to drain the water into the field are deliberately blocked by the adjacent landowner”; but in spite of the extensive flooding across the road all they have done is to write to the landowner to “ask him to clear the channels”.

Boxted Lane appears to KCC as a little-used ‘minor’ road, but it is actually frequently used daily by numerous people trying to avoid the A2 at Newington, and as a shortcut between Bobbing, Iwade and Newington to the Medway towns and further. Its use is further increased when the A2 and/or M2 are closed due to an RTC or roadworks. When both the A2 and M2 are closed, Boxted Lane is completely congested.

So what is KCC doing to help the current situation?

Well, the Highways Drainage team apparently believe that the flooding in Boxted Lane “does not meet their criteria for intervention”.

Which leads one to ask, “If a road so badly flooded as to be impassable does not require intervention, then what does?” and “What exactly does KCC’s Flood and Water Management Team actually do, if not to help local people with issues like this?”

Major roadworks diversions are shortly due to take place along the A2, requiring the closure of Newington High Street for several weeks; this will have a major impact on the roads locally and affect the surrounding areas. Boxted Lane will then become gridlocked.

Cllr Richard Palmer, Ward Member for Hartlip, Newington, & Upchurch, and Cabinet Member for Communities, has contacted KCC on several occasions, as he believes this issue should be tackled urgently. He said, "KCC has ignored this issue for years but as our housing numbers increase and our roads become congested at times, so people try to avoid the main routes by using rat runs through country lanes. This is a problem many villages in Kent face but with Boxted Lane at Newington being flooded owing to damaged 'grips/drains' is, in my opinion, a matter KCC should solve. I would hope that KCC would review its policy and reassess Boxted Lane."

For further information, contact Councillor Richard Palmer: 07702 674721

Jill Sidders

NB

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Thank you

Since receiving Jill's article KCC has now put Flood warning signs in place in Boxted Lane.

Upchurch Matters

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Keeping Medway Safe is at The Heart of New Task Force

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Strengthening communities and keeping people safe is at the heart of the work carried out by the Medway Task Force.

The multi-agency team includes Kent Police, Medway Council and other partners who all have a common goal to tackle crime, prevent violence and safeguard those most vulnerable in the community.

The task force, which officially launched on Friday 7th February 2020, is working under one roof with officers being deployed as a result of the increase in precept funding, approved by the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott.

Together they identify community issues that contribute to crime and focus on long-term solutions to prevent violence. Vulnerable people are protected and given access to the right support to improve their standard of living.

They have already been working together for several months, sharing information, problem-solving, developing partnership solutions and carrying out enforcement activity.

Currently, the team is focused on the Luton area of Chatham and is regularly engaging with residents, schools, businesses and local community groups.

Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said:
“The Medway Task Force has an important role to play in focusing on the causes of violent crime in the Medway towns and I’m pleased to see it is already having a positive impact within the community.

The multi-agency team follows on from the success of a similar model we have in Margate, which has been recognised nationally as good practice for its efforts to promote a better quality of life for residents.”

The range of work is diverse and focuses on reducing violent crime, vulnerability and strengthening communities. It has more recently resulted in:
• Community protection warnings being issued to people following anti-social behaviour in Luton. These warnings are aimed at preventing this behaviour which, if breached, will see people fined or facing court action.

• Reminding residents of the ways in which they can keep their properties secure after a report of a distraction burglary in Luton. The victim received a visit from a suspicious man claiming to be from the water board. She was found in poor health and was referred to the relevant services to ensure she was supported. This work was carried out to prevent her from being isolated and ensure she is not targeted again.

• Victims of cuckooing, where drug dealers seek out people with addictions, disabilities and other health concerns, being identified and safeguarded by the team.

• The ongoing investigation of four people for illegal waste carrying and fly-tipping in Luton, which has been blighting the community.

The Chief Constable added:
“We know that by working together with our partners under one roof we can be more effective, responsive and achieve positive results.

The officers will continue to work closely with their partnership colleagues to support our ongoing efforts in confronting those who are prepared to use violence whilst also acting as a deterrent to those considering it. This will help us protect some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott

Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, said:

“While Kent remains a safe place to live, work and visit, communities have become increasingly concerned about reported rises in violent crime.

So, in 2018, through my Violence Reduction Challenge, I brought key partners together to scrutinise the statistics and consider our joint response. It was during those discussions that the idea of a multi-agency Medway Task Force was first raised.

Kent Police made an early commitment to support the unit with officers funded by my budget decisions. I am delighted to see those officers working closely with our partners to tackle the underlying causes of violent crime.”

Medway Council’s Chief Executive, Neil Davies

Neil Davies, Medway Council’s Chief Executive, said:
“We’re pleased that Medway now has its own task force, which is based at the council offices in Chatham, in the heart of Medway.

Our teams already provide support to residents living in Chatham, Strood, Rainham, Rochester and Gillingham, dealing with a range of matters including fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and fraud.

With all the agencies now working under one roof they can provide a more joined-up and effective response to support communities and deal with the issues which matter most to residents.

We’re committed to making a difference to residents’ lives and supporting our most vulnerable residents, giving them the confidence to safely live independently.”

Kent Community Messaging

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Joan Hitchen 1931 - 2020

Sadly we have to inform you that Joan Hitchen passed away yesterday evening, Wednesday the 19th of  February.

Thank you

Daughters, Jan and Jill

Jill Kean

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Swale Borough Council Grants £20,000 Towards The Play Area at Newington Recreation Ground

Children of all ages will be able to enjoy the refurbished play area at Newington Recreation Ground later this year thanks to a £20,000 grant from Swale Borough Council.

The council’s contribution could help install a wheelchair friendly roundabout, a new trim trail and climbing frame, and create a picnic area for families to enjoy during the warmer months.

The play area already has a floodlit ball court with basketball hoops, teen shelter, slide, see-saw, climbing frame, zip wire, basket swing and four flat-seat swings, plus a sputnik roundabout and two cradle-seat swings for toddlers.

A survey of residents, carried out by the Friends of Newington Recreation Ground, showed people frequently used the popular park but would like to see it modernised with more options for disabled children and wheelchair users.

Cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for community at the council, said:

“The Friends of Newington Recreation Ground have been tirelessly raising money to carry out the improvements for the new play area and we are pleased to provide this £20,000 to help them reach their goal.

We make £1 million available every year for special projects around the borough, and important projects like this are a great example of how these grants can make a big difference.

We’re pleased to support the efforts of local people to deliver this project alongside Kent County Council, Newington Parish Council and Friends of Newington Recreation Ground.

This is a wonderful example of what we can achieve when working together as a team.”

Judy Haynes, secretary for the Friends of Newington Recreation Ground, said:

“We are delighted with the support from the council. We’ve raised £40,000 since the process began in 2018 and this additional £20,000 has given us a real boost towards our goal of achieving an exciting, modern and inclusive playground for the residents of Newington.

We asked people what they wanted to see in the play area, and they were clear with us - benches, an accessible roundabout and sensory items were a priority, and more than 50 per cent of survey respondents requested a zip wire.

The parish council installed the zip wire last summer, so we’ll use this money to go to tender and seek bids that can offer us the best solution for the whole village.

We hope the play area will be completed before the end of the year.”

For more information about applying for a grant visit: www.swale.gov.uk/grants

Swale Borough Council

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Neville Wildish 1932 - 2020

Neville sadly passed away on Wednesday the 29th of January 2020.

His funeral will be held at 3:00pm on Tuesday the 3rd of March at Garden of England Crematorium, Sheppey Way, Bobbing, Sittingbourne ME9 8GZ.

Thank you

Susan Wildish

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Adrian Leppenwell at Church Lane Art Studio

Adrian at Church Lane Art Studio in Newington with
his stunning acrylic painting entitled “ View from the M2”.

Local artist Adrian Leppenwell was born in Upchurch and later moved to Newington where he spent his childhood. It was here that Adrian's love for our countryside and painting landscapes developed.

After studying art at school, Adrian has continued to paint ever since; working mainly in watercolour, and sometimes with acrylics. After a long career serving the motor trade, he decided to become a professional artist and opened his own art studio around 3 years ago.

Some lovely landscapes in watercolour painted at
Adrian's workshop for Malling Art Club.

Now an established and in-demand demonstrater, Adrian teaches and guides others through the techniques needed to create a landscape in watercolour at his classes for clubs and art societies all over Kent.

In addition, Adrian runs workshops from his art studio in Newington where you can enjoy a full day painting under his expert instruction. These allow for highly-personalised tuition, not usually found at art classes and are open to artists of all abilities.

Click the picture collage to enlarge.
Adrian's passion for capturing local landscapes in case some disappear forever
has led him to paint many of our local beauty spots. Pictured above:
Horsham Lane, Upchurch - Barges at Funton Bottom, Lower Halstow
St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow - Riverside, Rainham
St. Mary's Church, Upchurch - Near St. Mary's Church, Newington.

All Adrian's paintings are original, one-off pieces, sold unframed and are watercolours unless stated otherwise. If you would like to commission a painting or are interested in exhibiting Adrian's work, please contact him directly.

Viewings of Adrian's work, at Church Lane Art Studio, are available by appointment.

Adrian's website has details of his art classes and workshops with galleries of his own paintings to browse, including those available to buy.

Find out more at: www.adrianleppenwellsart.co.uk

'Like' Adrian on Facebook to be the first to see his latest work as it arrives and to find out about upcoming classes and exhibitions.

Follow Adrian on Twitter: @Adrianleppenwe1

Telephone: 07771 362177 or Email: adrian@adrianleppenwellsart.co.uk

Upchurch Matters

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