Temporary removal of the Bus Lane restriction – St Clements Way, Greenhithe, Dartford – from 3rd November 2014

Please see below road closure for St Clements Way, Greenhithe, Dartford.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

                                                                                                 

Temporary removal of the Bus Lane restriction – St Clements Way, Greenhithe, Dartford – from 3^rd November 2014

It will be necessary to lift the Bus Lane restriction in St Clements Way, Greenhithe, Dartford from 3^rd November 2014 for up to 12 days to allow vehicles to use the bus lane whilst works are taking place to avoid traffic congestion.

The road will be closed from the B255 St Clements Way between Mount Road and Bean Road. 

The closure is to enable S278 works to form a new traffic island, ducting works to crossings, traffic signals, lamp columns & bus stop power supplies to be carried out by Ken Mallinson Gallagher Ltd.

HELP KEEP GREENHITHE SAFE

Consultation on the Dartford Borough Council Draft Windfall Sites SPD

Dear Consultee,

In accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 the Council is today undertaking consultation on the Draft Windfall Sites SPD.

An early draft version of the SPD was made available for comment in May 2014.  The draft Windfall Sites SPD has been updated based on the comments received during this early stage consultation, as well as feedback received in the course of using the Windfall Sites Practice Note for determining planning applications.

The draft version of the SPD was made available for comment in May 2014 and the draft Windfall Sites SPD has been updated based on the comments received during this early stage consultation.

The Windfall Sites SPD (attached) is accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Statement, which concluded that the SPD does not require an environmental assessment.  This Screening Statement, along with the Public Participation Statement and the Public Notice can be found on the web page at www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites

The revised Windfall Sites SPD was approved for consultation by Cabinet on 24th July 2014. You are invited to make representations on the Draft Windfall Sites SPD during the consultation period, which runs from Friday 25^th July until Friday 5^th September 2014, and ends at 5:00pm.   The online response form or the dedicated representation form should be used to submit your comments.  They contain important information on data protection issues and will help ensure that your views can be clearly recorded. 

Comments can be made by:

•     Completing an on-line response form at  www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites

•     Emailing a response form to LDF@dartford.gov.uk

•     Posting a response form to Planning Policy Team, Dartford Borough Council, Civic Centre,   Home Gardens, Dartford, Kent  DA1 1DR

Response forms and the Draft Windfall Sites SPD are also available on the Council’s website at www.dartford.gov.uk/windfallsites or can be viewed at the following locations (please check opening hours):

-          Dartford Civic Centre

-          Dartford Library

-          Ashen Drive Library

-          Fleetdown Library

-          Greenhithe Library

-          Longfield Library

-          Summerhouse Drive Library

-          Sutton-at-Hone Library

-          Swan Valley Library

-          Temple Hill Library

Response forms can be requested by emailing LDF@dartford.gov.uk or by calling 01322 343213.

After the close of consultation, the responses received will be considered and the SPD will be amended as appropriate prior to adoption. The key issues raised by respondents will be summarised in the Public Participation Statement including details of how the issue was dealt with in finalising the Windfall Sites SPD for adoption.

The key stages are as follows:

•   Early-stage consultation on the Draft SPD (completed)

            •      Comments reviewed and SPD updated (completed)

•   Consultation on the Draft SPD (this stage)

•   Consideration of comments and preparation of Public Participation Statement and final SPD

•   Adoption and Publication on the SPD (Autumn 2014)

Please can you acknowledge receipt of this email and address any other correspondence regarding this matter to LDF@dartford.gov.uk

If you are no longer the correct contact for the Council’s Development Plan documents, could you forward to the right person in your organisation and let us know so that we can update out records accordingly.

Thank you

Regards

Katie Gill

Planning Policy Team

Dartford Borough Council

01322 343213

Highest accolade for the community centre heroes Eddie and Angie Ward of Greenhithe

 By  Lizzy Massey lmassey@thekmgroup.co.uk

Knockhall Community Centre

A husband and wife team have been honoured for their tireless work transforming a community space.

The Greenhithe Community Centre in Alexander Road was draughty and cold, the toilets and kitchen were not fit for purpose and parking was a problem.

Cue Angie Ward, who began volunteering as the centre’s secretary in 2010 after illness forced her to give up her job as a secretary and payroll manager.

The 55-year-old convinced her husband Eddie to volunteer as the booking clerk, and he took over as chairman in 2011.

Straight away the couple, of Hasted Close, Greenhithe, began to turn the centre around.

Eddie, 76, said: “I hadn’t appreciated how much local charities struggle to get volunteers. I was shocked to see the state of the facilities.

“It has been a challenge but we now have a community centre to be proud of.”

The couple accumulated grants from Dartford council and Kent County Council totalling £32,000.

The centre now has double glazing as well as a new overflow car park, toilets, kitchen and energy efficient lighting.

It was reopened in all its glory on Saturday and Angie and Eddie were presented with Dartfordian Award – the borough’s highest accolade – at the same time. Angie said: “I have gained so much from the experience, from the challenge of learning how to fill in grant applications to the joy of seeing the transformation of the centre.

“These improvements have only been made possible by the support of our fellow trustees and local councillors.”

They were the first Dartfordian Awards presented this year.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite (Con) and the town’s mayor Cllr Avtar Sandhu and Mayor of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Cllr Susan Butterfill all gathered for the ribbon cutting.

Ingress Park Family Fun Day (IPFFD) now in its 4th year

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS

To receive your Bluewater e-news, please add comms@mailings.bluewater-communications.co.uk to your address book.

Make this your Hoppy-est Easter ever! Lindt brings Easter to life with a magical adventure trail for children in the Guildhall until the 21st April. Solve the clues in the Golden Bunny Warren and receive a golden Lindt chocolate reward at the end.

Happy 15th Birthday Bluewater

Bluewater shopping centre turns fifteen 

News By Heloise Wood

Bluewater is celebrating its 15th birthday having welcomed six times the UK’s population into its stores over that time.

Bluewater shopping centre turns fifteen

The Greenhithe-based shopping centre has also launched 50 new brands in its lifetime and provided employment for around 40,000 people. More than 375 million shoppers have visited the store during its lifetime. 

On Monday morning (MARCH 17) there was a special breakfast for all those who worked there since the beginning. 

On March 28 the Learning Shop Awards will reward the people and companies who have shone at Bluewater. Dartford MP Gareth Johnson and Council Leader Jeremy Kite will be on hand to help with celebrations.

The centre’s general manager Robert Goodman said: "Fifteen years is a tremendous milestone and Bluewater has achieved a great deal since opening. 

"Key to our success have been the people that work here and the wider community. "Our celebrations, therefore, are both a recognition of their vital contribution to our success and an opportunity to look ahead to Bluewater’s next chapter." 

Shoppers have also been enjoying discounts, designed to celebrate the milestone.
For more information, visit bluewater.co.uk

Devastating weather wreaks havoc at Ingress Park Greenhithe

Wind rips open the top of a new build flat in Greenhithe

By Heloise Wood

The weekend's tempestuous weather wreaked havoc in Greenhithe as winds ripped a huge hole in a new build apartment complex. 

A gap is clearly visible under the roof of the building in Ingress Park, London Road, following extreme weather on Friday evening (FEB 14). 

The incredible pictures, showing gaping gaps where bricks should be, were captured by resident Tom Harris. 

The devastating weather is continuing this week with 16 severe flood warnings in place for southern England and the Met Office has issued a yellow (“be aware”) weather warning for certain parts of the UK.

Justice for Claire? Former milkman Colin Ash-Smith has been found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in a "frenzied attack" in 1993

Former milkman Colin Ash-Smith has been found guilty of murdering schoolgirl Claire Tiltman in a "frenzied attack" in 1993.

The 46-year-old stabbed Claire Tiltman from behind as she took a short cut through an alleyway to a friend's house in 1993, four days after her 16th birthday.

More follows...

Tragic loss: Claire Tiltman

Read the full story here: News Claire Tiltman Daily Mirror

Pier Pub Raft Race and Summer Fair - 13 July 2013

Community Event

Contact Details for pub The Pier Hotel: The Pier Hotel. High Street Greenhithe DA9 9NN Telephone: +44(0)1322 382291 

For Raft Race and Summer Fair. Please call 07773 254605 for full details.

Venue: The Pier Hotel Pub High Street, Raft Race off of Pier Road Public Causeway Greenhithe & Summer Fair at Ingress Park Riverfront Park.  

Date: Saturday 13 July, 2013  
Time: 13:00 to 18:00 

Sobriety & dignity returns to Town Council as new New Town Mayor is elected for 2013 2014

"taking pride in our Town." New Town Mayor for 2013 - 2014 Councillor Ms Lorna Cross: At the Town Council Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2013 Councillor Ms Lorna Cross was elected and sworn in as Town Mayor for the forthcoming year. Lorna takes over from Councillor Vic Openshaw and lives in Swanscombe; as well as working in the Health Service is a serving Justice of the Peace. Lorna has represented the Swanscombe Ward on the Town Council since 2007 for the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association and served as Deputy Town Mayor in the previous term. "I would like to thank my fellow councillors for affording me this marvelous opportunity. It is a huge honour and privilege to serve the community of Swanscombe and Greenhithe, I am looking forward to the challenges ahead and to meeting lots of people and hope to not only raise the profile of this wonderful Town but also to work hard to try and raise much needed funds for local organisations." New Deputy Town Mayor for 2013 - 2014 Councillor Mrs Sue P Butterfill: At the Town Council Annual General Meeting on 16 May 2013 Councillor Mrs Sue P Butterfill was elected and sworn in as Deputy Town Mayor for the forthcoming year. Sue is the organiser of the annual Ingress Park Family Fun Day as well as being one of the Town Councillors that ensure the girls indoor football tournament, held each year to celebrate International Womens Day, is a huge success. Sue is retired and lives in Ingress Park, Greenhithe where she has represented the Greenhithe Ward as both a Town and Borough Councillor for the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association since 2011.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2013 Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council, All rights reserved.

Finally....

New Dartford to Gravesend Fastrack bus is 'life line' for residents

Wednesday 12th December 2012

   News By George Sargent

 

KCC's David Brazier, James Moody, Mayor of Swanscombe and Greenhithe Vic Openshaw and local operations manager for Arriva Alan Hale

A NEW bus service running from Dartford to Gravesend has provided a “life line” for the elderly and infirm, an Ingress Park resident has said.The Fastrack bus service, which started running on December 10, is the first to go through the Ingress Park estate.It runs every 10 minutes and also stops in Dartford town centre, Bluewater, Ebbsfleet International, Greenhithe Station and Gravesend town centre.

Susan Butterfill, of Marial Walk, in Ingress Park, said: “It’s a life line for the elderly and infirm because they don’t have to walk nearly as far as they did before to get the bus.

“I think it’s much needed. And it also encourages people to use public transport.

“It’s a very good idea.”

But the 60-year-old grandmother said: “When I bought my house 10 years ago I was told there was going to be a bus link soon, so it’s taken a while!”

Dartford Borough and Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Councillor Susan Butterfield

Passengers can buy a £5 weekly ticket for travel between Ingress Park and Greenhithe Station. Kent County Council deputy cabinet member for Highways, David Brazier, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Fastrack is now up and running through Ingress Park.“While it has taken longer than we would have wanted, residents now have the vital piece of public transport that they both want and need.”

Crest Nicholson is the company that built and developed the estate. Its eastern manager, James Moody, said: “Following our £3m investment into Fastrack, we are delighted that the service is now operational and that it runs through our popular Ingress Park development.“With a new phase of homes currently under construction, the bus service offers another benefit to residents looking to move to the area in the future.”