16 November 2023

KCC Household Waste Recycling Centres

After much jubilation last week at the news that KCC's proposals to close Household Waste Recycling Centres (including the site at Faversham) appeared to have been binned, it seems the celebrations were premature. As opposed to the speculation in the papers at the beginning of the month, news came directly from KCC on Wednesday 15 November that the plans were merely on hold rather than scrapped. Given the amount of media coverage the story received across Kent, it seemed highly unlikely to me that the leadership would push ahead with the plans against the wishes of the majority of councillors, but given the financial strain the council is under perhaps they see it as unavoidable.

From the outset, the plans never appeared to be fully thought through. I opposed them at length during my group leader's speech at the KCC full council meeting in May and also through my role as chair of the Environment Committee at Swale (a role I'd only been in a few days when the plans were first announced!). If they do resurface, I hope they are accompanied by suitable levels of data and evidence to try and justify how such a backward looking proposal could be considered during a climate and biodiversity crisis.

Arguments about the size of the Faversham tip which were put forward when the plans were first revealed lead me to believe that KCC will still be looking to close the Faversham site. With this in mind, I will continue working in my dual roles at both Swale Borough Council and Kent County Council to see if a better site can be acquired for a Recycling Centre fit for the future, which will be even more necessary if plans for an additional 2500 houses on the South East corner of Faversham come to fruition.

Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan Consultation

Still on the subject of consultations, KCC currently have a consultation open on their walking and cycling plans for the county. The plans include 30 key routes across the county which are proposed for improvements.

There are three key areas in Swale earmarked. Most relevant to our area is a proposal to improve the cycling route along the Lower Road between Faversham and Sittingbourne. It’s a route which can feel fairly dangerous in places for cyclists (and sadly saw the death of a cyclist near Tonge last year). Also featured are plans to improve walking provision around the northern side of Sittingbourne and cycling provision across the northern coast of the Isle of Sheppey.

The consultation is available online at the following address - https://tinyurl.com/kccwalking

Alternatively, a paper version can be requested by calling KCC Highways on 03000 418181.

 

Rich Lehmann
rich.lehmann@kent.gov.uk
http://kentgreencouncillors.news/

 

Promoted by T.Valentine on behalf of R.Lehmann (Swale Green Party) PO Box 78066, London, SE16 9GQ

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