SGN Gas - Slideshow Presentation for Gas Main Replacement Works on the A2 from Oak Lane to Key Street

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KCC Member for Swale West, Councillor Mike Whiting held a very well attended public meeting at Newington Village Hall on Thursday 22nd August, to discuss the proposed replacement of 4.46km of old iron gas main along the A2, from Oak Lane to Key Street.

At the meeting, Southern Gas Networks (SGN), their contractor, Kent Highways and Kent Police all addressed residents concerns over some of the things that went well, and those things that did not go so well (or went badly) during the recent emergency closure of the A2 - Newington High Street.

It is proposed that engineers will start gas main replacement works on the A2 - London Road at its junction with Oak Lane and will progress eastwards towards Key Street Roundabout. At this stage to ensure everyone’s safety, SGN will need to have temporary traffic lights in place around their work area which will move with them as they progress along the A2 towards Key Street Roundabout. They have also agreed with Kent County Council to carry out specialist surveys over the coming week on all the utilities located in the road, which will help determine exactly which traffic management is required.

SGN Gas estimate that to replace the 4.46km of old iron gas main along the A2, from Oak Lane to Key Street will take them 42 weeks. They plan to carry out the works in 11 small phases. Some phases of the works may require the closure of side roads. More info on this will be advised nearer the time. Contractors will be working 6 days a week replacing the old gas main with reinstatement work being carried out on Sundays. They plan to carry out the works under temporary traffic lights this time, meaning no more full road closures of the A2 Newington - High Street are planned.

SGN, their contractor, KCC Highways and Kent Police all plan to work together to minimise any disruption to residents and business during these works. All have listened to residents concerns about the high number of HGVs using the A2 and the problems it causes, the unsuitability of some nearby country lanes as official diversion routes, improving signage next time round and extra police enforcement to deal with drivers who choose to ignore the road signs that have been put in place.

The proposed start date of Monday 16th September is now looking unlikely because of KCC Officers' concerns, many of which were raised by members of the public during the meeting.

For those that couldn't make the meeting, above is a video created from the slideshow presentation given by SGN Gas during the meeting.

Upchurch Matters

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Swale Borough Council - Leisure Centre Parking Concession Returns

Visitors to council leisure centres in Sheerness and Sittingbourne will once again be able to park for free when they workout, swim or play.

Swale Borough Council is reinstating the car park concession for users of the Sheppey Leisure Complex and Swallows Leisure Centre from Monday, 2nd September 2019.

The council’s new coalition administration has agreed to reinstate the concession, which was removed in September 2018.

Cllr Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“Adding on the cost of a couple of hours parking can put people off visiting the centres, especially those on low incomes who could benefit from using them.

By reinstating the concession, we are taking away that barrier, and making every visit that bit cheaper.

Hopefully, this will encourage even more people to take advantage of what the centres have to offer and keep themselves fit and healthy without breaking the bank.”

Cllr Angela Harrison, the cabinet member for health and wellbeing at the council, said:

“A lot of people can’t afford expensive private monthly gym memberships, and our leisure centres are an ideal alternative for them - there’s a great choice of equipment and classes, at a reasonable price.

It’s not just gym-goers who use the sites. Families use the soft play and pools, and the new healthy lifestyle studio has specialist equipment for residents suffering from health-related problems such as mobility or obesity.”

The concession offers leisure centre users a refund for up to two hours parking at the council-owned sites (depending on activity/duration of visit), which have both benefitted from significant improvements in the last year.

The Sheppey Leisure Complex has a new healthy lifestyle studio, which includes power-assisted fitness equipment specifically created for residents suffering from health-related problems such as mobility or obesity.

The Sheerness site also has a new virtual spin room and improved gym facilities, with equipment upgrades and approximately 12 new stations.

Swallows have had significant repairs carried out to its roof, and now includes a new family adventure zone including new soft play and climbing, a new virtual spin studio and an extended gym, with equipment upgrades and approximately 10 new stations.

To find out more about what’s on offer at the centres, visit: www.swaleleisure.com

Swale Borough Council

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Medway Council - Keeping Safe on Medway’s Roads

Medway Council has issued some top road safety tips as children across Medway prepare to go back to school.

Medway’s roads are expected to get busier as children head back to school and motorists are being encouraged to be extra vigilant and particularly aware of more vulnerable road users such as children walking and riding their bikes to school.

Top road safety tips include:

• Be alert - avoid distractions

• Take extra care - allow extra time for your commute

• Stop, look, listen and think when crossing the road and wear bright clothing and reflective or fluorescent items

• If cycling to school or work always wear a helmet

• If travelling by bus arrive at the bus stop five minutes early to avoid rushing

Medway Council’s Safer Journeys Team visits schools throughout the year to teach children pedestrian, cycling and scooter skills and to make them aware of the dangers of the road. The team also visits pre-schools and nurseries to teach children under five to stop, look, listen and think when crossing the road.

The council also offers road safety education to secondary schools for pedestrians, young drivers and passengers.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Frontline Services, said:

“Everyone has a duty to behave responsibly when travelling on Medway’s roads. As children return to school we’re asking motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to take extra care when they travel. We work with schools all year round to promote road safety and I would encourage residents and visitors to follow our top tips.”

For more information visit: www.medway.gov.uk/roadsafety

Medway Council

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Bringing the NHS Long Term Plan to Life in Kent and Medway - Your Invite to One of Four Engagement Events

Book your place now and be part of the conversation at one of four events to help shape the five year plan for health and care in Kent and Medway.

The NHS Long Term Plan, published in January, sets out the vision for the future of healthcare over the next 10 years.

The Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Partnership has the job of bringing the NHS Long Term Plan to life in Kent and Medway, by developing a local plan to cover the next five years. 

The Kent and Medway STP would like you to help them shape their plan at four evening events held during September 2019, where they will listen to your views on some of their priority areas.

You can book your place now using the links below or by phoning: 01622 211940.

The events will run from 6:30pm to 9:30pm and take place on:

10th September: Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, CT1 3NZ

11th September: Don Carman Hall, Ditton Community Centre, Kilnbarn Road, Ditton Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AH

18th September: Gillingham Football Ground, MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham ME7 4DD

24th September: Main Hall, Dartford Science and Technology College, Heath Lane Dartford DA1 2LY

The events have been designed so you can talk to them about how they will tackle some of our major health challenges.

These include:

Prevention

Tackling the causes of ill health such as smoking, obesity and alcohol.

Reducing the number of people who smoke to an all-time low in line is something that’s wanted across the country, with the national commitment to make England a smoke-free country by 2030, along with tackling the underlying causes of alcohol and obesity, including environments that make obesity more likely. But they need your help on how to do this.

Digital

Making the most of technology.

Their plan will also look at how they make sure that people get the care they need in a way that suits them - sometimes using technology better. They want to explore with people how they can make it easier and more convenient for them to access services and support - such as GP and outpatient appointments - by phone or online.

Cancer

Faster and better diagnosis and improved treatment and care.

They want to improve early diagnosis and survival rates for cancer, particularly breast, bowel and cervical cancer. They want to know how they can make it easier for people to get help sooner and attend their routine screening, as well as what they can do to improve how they look after people diagnosed with cancer.

Local and Primary Care

Tell them how they can build vibrant communities to provide support for those issues which impact on people’s health and wellbeing, such as loneliness and social isolation. Some of the ideas they’d like to talk to you about include how you might feel about seeing someone other than your family doctor to help you with the health and care issues that matter to you.

Children’s Services

It’s important that local children, young people and their parents and carers help them design services which are fit for the future to give children and young people the best start in life. They’d like to get your ideas on how they can improve the uptake of childhood screening and vaccinations, improve care for children and long term conditions and complex needs and support children young people and their families with their mental health.

Mental Health

How can they make sure that everyone can get the wellbeing and mental health support that they need? They want to get your views on how people can get the support they need more easily - people of all ages who might be struggling with the mental impacts of social pressures and physical illness as well as those with a serious mental illness.  As well as providing help, how can they support people to stay mentally well? Are there ways that technology and digital solutions can help improve the wellbeing and mental health of our communities?

Find out more about the NHS Long Term Plan for Kent and Medway at: www.kentandmedway.nhs.uk/ltp

Upchurch Matters

Upchurch Horticultural Society - Meetings and Events 2019

Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd

Upchurch Horticultural Society Meetings and Events 2019 in conjunction with Stockbury Cottage Gardeners

(UHS meetings start at 7:30pm, SCG events start at 8:00pm)

Upchurch Horticultural Society

97 Chaffes Lane

Wednesday 4^th September - September Meeting Show Planning

Saturday 14^th September - September Show

Wednesday 2^nd October - October Meeting Show Planning

Saturday 19^th October - Late Show

Wednesday 7^th November - November Meeting 2020 Schedule Planning

Stockbury Cottage Gardeners

Stockbury Village Hall

Thursday 5^th September - Outing to Salutation House (Booking required)

Thursday 3^rd October - AGM and 50^th Autumn Show

Thursday 7^th November - The World of the Bumblebee - Dr Nikki Gammans

Thursday 5^th December - Trophy Presentation and Social Evening

Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society

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Help to Claim (Universal Credit) Service in Swale

Trained Help to Claim Advisers are committed to clients with their Universal Credit applications and can be contacted on: 0800 144 8 444, or face to face at the venues detailed on the poster, from Monday 2nd September 2019.

Alan Horton

Swale Borough Councillor serving Hartlip, Newington and Upchurch Ward

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