Maidstone Greens have reacted angrily to a short-sighted attempt by Maidstone Borough Council to introduce temporary cycling lanes in King Street. The plan for two cycle routes was instigated by Maidstone Borough Council but to be implemented by Kent County Council
Steve Cheeseman of Maidstone Green Party: “Although we obviously welcome new cycle routes, this has been designed by Maidstone Borough Council in a typically slapdash and short-sighted way. As far as I am aware there was no public consultation on the location, or the need for a cycling lane in King Street. The work that has been completed outside Boots was clearly rushed, markings are unclear are there is simply not room for both buses and cyclists.
“The council not only fails to consider how well used a cycling route would be in this location, it also completely neglects to consider existing bus stops, disabled parking and the taxi rank. This is simply complacency, we need cycle routes along our major roads such as Fairmeadow, Tonbridge Road and Loose road
“We want to see proper infrastructure for cyclists in the County Town, not half-baked quick fixes. We provided suggestions to the Council last year as part of our green travel plan for Maidstone.”