We are pleased to announce that James Willis has been selected as the prospective parliamentary candidate for the Maidstone and The Weald constituency at the Liberal Democrats members meeting on Friday, 6th September.

Today the KM published an abridged version of Rob Bird's letter regarding the refusal of Conservative Ministers and MPs to come clean about the future of Maidstone's Thameslink Service. Here is the letter in full.

This summer the Maidstone Mela, a community gathering with music, food and art from around the world celebrating the diversity of cultures that make up Maidstone’s population, was held in Whatman Park, attracting 3000 visitors. At the event, Cllr Derek Mortimer took to the stage to highlight the importance of one of the South East’s largest summer events, and the clear need to re-instate Mote Park as the annual location.

According to a recent report a disorderly Brexit has been given the highest possible risk rating by Kent County Council. It is the biggest single risk currently being addressed by the Council. Disruption is expected to last for at least 6 months and probably more following a no deal Brexit, with ‘significant long-term detrimental impact for Kent residents’.

The Thameslink service from Bearsted, Maidstone East and West Malling to Central London is long overdue. New Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, should ensure the service becomes operational in December, as promised by his predecessor, Chris Grayling, last October.

Construction on the site on Eclipse Park, off the Bearsted Road, is moving ahead rapidly with roofing due to start shortly.

Residents of Maidstone can now enjoy a touch of the countryside with nearly 10,000 square metres of wildflower sites planted.

Proposals for junction improvements, which make up Maidstone Integrated Transport Package, were reviewed last Wednesday at Maidstone’s Joint Transport Board, some four years after it was agreed which junctions would be considered.

Traffic through Maidstone’s one-way system should flow more smoothly, improving air quality along the Bishops Way and Stone Street corridor, following a proposal made by the Lib Dems at Maidstone’s Strategic Planning and Infrastructure committee at the Town Hall this week. 

The Heather House community centre in Parkwood now has a much brighter future following the last meeting of the Communities Housing & Environment committee chaired by Lib Dem councillor Derek Mortimer.