Transport
Maidstone is badly congested and over reliant on cars, causing frustration for those wanting to travel round town by car, and isolation for many who don't have a car. Congestion, the cost of fuel, pollution and, of course carbon emissions, are all good reasons to reduce our reliance on cars and to ensure that people can travel by walking, cycling and public transport. Maidstone Green Party will:
- prioritise cycling, walking and public transport
- address congestion by reducing reliance on cars and lorries
- oppose the Southern Maidstone Access Road and the Leeds Langley Bypass
- work with KCC to prevent ‘rat run’ traffic in rural and residential areas
- push for the A20 cycle lanes to be completed properly and work with cycling groups to create more cycle lanes.
- work with agencies to ensure that cycle lanes are designed for cyclists, not drivers
- ensure that pavements are usuable by pedestrians with a high priority on maintenance
- ensure that all residential areas have a 20mph speed limit (with or without speed humps), a maximum 50mph speed limit in non-urban areas and lobby for a 55mph speed limit on motorways
- ensure that traffic calming measures are in place where ever possible - utilise paved home-zones in residential areas
- work with public transport providers on “smart tickets” allowing changes in journey between transport types
- work with public transport providers to provide high quality bus / rail interchange at Maidstone East, served by more bus routes
- work with bus and train companies to increase services especially in rural areas
- work with bus companies to secure zero emission buses in the borough
- ensure that cycle storage is available at railway stations
- promote home working through technology such as broadband
- promote local, community shops and markets
- encourage community owned vehicle schemes
