Wednesday October 4 | 2017
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Police to hand out on-the-spot fines for illegal parking on the school run
Loving life in the fast lane
DAME AND BLOOM
Kelly Holmes statue will adorn new ‘Olympic’ garden Page 3
PHOTO: sussexsportphotography.com
DRIVERS on the school run who park illegally will face on-the-spot fines from Police Community Support Officers. The new powers mean PCSOs can hand out Fixed Penalty Notices in a concerted effort to tackle the growing issue of congestion outside schools and disruption to traffic. The problem of crowded highways is made worse by parents who park on ‘restricted’ double yellow lines or zig-zag zones, as well as blocking residents’ driveways.
Training Previously this power to issue fines has been the responsibility of council enforcement officers. The county’s force is looking to recruit an extra 300 voluntary PCSOs in addition to their 200plus paid support officers. The new school parking regime is being reviewed for legal requirements and should come into force by the end of the year. Kent Police’s Chief Inspector, Andy Gadd, said: “PCSOs are highly regarded by Kent Police for their important role in delivering neighbourhood policing. “These officers are responsible for using their powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, alcohol and licensing offences, and traffic management.” He added: “As with all new powers, officers will follow a training plan to ensure they understand this new role and to prepare them for their duties.”
INSIDE
Runners enjoy the Tonbridge Half Marathon as it winds through the lanes towards the village of Leigh. The event once again raised £50,000 for charities. Turn to page 8
Teen and Twenty Club land was sold to developers at a discount By Andy Tong andy@timesoftonbridge.co.uk THE Teen and Twenty Club in River Walk was sold to private developers at less than market value by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council [TMBC], it has emerged. But the council has assured the Times that if the proposed sale of the adjacent River Lawn goes ahead, it will insist on the highest price available on the open market. TMBC sold the Teen and Twenty Club earlier this year to Assura, who will build a medical centre there for Tonbridge Medical Group. A planning application was submitted
last month. The move is part of a review of all TMBC assets by valuers Hartnell Taylor Cook. They looked at potential sales that would improve services and provide a financial return to ease TMBC’s large budget deficit.
‘The project would not be financially viable without the discount from the council’ Assura will own the site and lease it to Tonbridge Medical Group, which will use it to replace two surgeries on Higham Lane and Pembury Road which have been deemed unfit for purpose.
Last week the Twitter handle @TMBC Torygroup was asked to confirm reports from sources within the council and Assura that the land on River Lawn Road had been sold off at a discount. Conservative Councillor David Lettington responded: “The other councillors and Assura are correct that the Teen and Twenty will be sold at below the market value to ensure that the funding for the new medical centre is viable.” He added: “My understanding is that the project would not be financially viable without the discount from the council.”
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LEICESTER INVESTOR
Penshurst pub to be revived by George and Dragon chief Page 3
RAISING MORALE
How powerlifting ‘saved life’ of anorexic teacher Lizzie Page 9
PICK OF THE PUNCH
Fighter joins Olympia Boxing to teach fitness in schools Page 71