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

NO EGRESS IN SIGHT AT INGRESS PARK...

No light in sight at end of road-works tunnel in Ingress Park, Greenhithe

02 July 2014

by Alex Matthews almatthews@thekmgroup.co.uk

Roadworks in Greenhithe are taking so long that even vandals in the area are sick of the delay.

A well-used road that runs under The Avenue overpass near the Ingress Park estate in Greenhithe has been out of action since February.

It was closed after Kent County Council decided it was not safe due to “significant subsidence” caused by “extraordinary rainfall” in December of last year and February of this year.

Ingress Park, London Road, Greenhithe.

Ingress Park, London Road, Greenhithe

The unnamed road leads to Greenhithe station and it is solely for the use of pedestrians and a Fastrack bus service run by Arriva.

A cordoned-off area of the road has a sign that reads: “Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the works”, to which people have added “no hurry chaps” and “what works?”

Ellie Wakefield, 23, said: “Even the kids writing the graffiti are getting the hump with it.”

Miss Wakefield, of London Road, Greenhithe, said the road closure meant she had to take a longer journey just to pop out to get some shopping. She would usually take a quick walk down the road with her three-year-old son Joseph-Jones to get to the supermarket.

Ellie Wakefield with her son Joseph-James Robinson  by the underpass

She said: “It’s really frustrating. I don’t really mind walking places when it’s nice outside but that’s not always practical when I want to get to Asda in a rush.” She said a lot of people were getting annoyed, especially those who use the bus to get to work. Miss Wakefield said: “[KCC] could have done this work before. Our council tax has gone up and they’re supposed to be supporting our town.”

A spokesman for KCC said a temporary bus route was now running along London Road through Ingress Park to get to Greenhithe Station.

People could also access the station through a signed pedestrian route in The Dell nearby.

KCC has been discussing plans with Crest Nicholson, the developer of Ingress Park, and work on the road will begin in autumn.

He said: “Revised plans for a solution to the problems at Ingress Park have been submitted.

“They are now being reviewed by the authority’s structures team, who need to ensure that they are robust enough to provide a long-term solution.

“Once agreed, the project needs to be put out to tender, and we expect work to start in the early autumn.”

Breaking News...

A new lower Thames crossing could end up in Dartford, Swanscombe or near Gravesend

by Thom Morristmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

Dartford Crossing

Rumours are flying that an announcement on plans for the lower Thames crossing could be made tomorrow.

There are no certainties as to when word will be made on which of the three sites the government had opted for. But suggestions have been made that it could come as part of the government’s autumn statement - where the Chancellor updates MPs on the government’s spending plans - tomorrow.

The announcement of plans for a new lower Thames crossing was made in the autumn statement of 2011.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson’s office said they had not been made aware on an announcement while Gravesham MP Adam Holloway said he had “heard the rumour” and was “quite worried about it”.

The three options for a new lower Thames crossing are: at the site of the existing crossing; connecting the A2 Swanscombe Peninsula with the A1089; joining the M2 with the A13 and the M25 between junctions 29 and 30 as well as widening the A229 between the M2 and M20.

Options for a new Thames crossing

In the House of Lords last week, Lord Adonis questioned when a response to the public consultation on the sites would be published.

The Minister of State, Department for Transport Baroness Kramer said: “The government expects to publish the consultation response and make an announcement before the end of this year.”

Tomorrow afternoon, a further debate on the crossing is expected with the question coming from Lord Hanningfield on “plans to construct a further bridge near the current Dartford river crossings”.

KCC Budget Consultation

Dear GMRA Members and regular blog readers,

Kent County Council launched its budget consultation on Friday 8 November. 

Kent residents are being asked for their views on our spending proposals; a process that is hugely important in shaping our future decisions. 

There are two ways you can get involved and help us set the right priorities for spending:

·        Take 2 minutes to answer 2 questions

·         Help balance KCC’s budget using our online tool

Visit www.kent.gov.uk/budget by Friday 13 December to read the proposals and give us your views – please cascade to your contacts as well.

Community Engagement Officer - Dartford

G37 Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone, ME14 1XQ

HAVE YOUR SAY... visit: www.kent.gov.uk/communityengagement

Power plant bid for Swanscombe Site 107: Land at Lower Road, Swanscombe

Site 107: Land at Lower Road, Swanscombe

How the site could look

View the application details on line

Site 107

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Land at Lower Road, Swanscombe

4.11 This area of land has been put forward as a location for an energy from waste facility. An estimated 20Mw of electricity would be produced from the gasification of non-recyclable, commercial waste consisting of sorted and blended cardboard, paper, waste wood and non-specific biomass material.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Summary

SA- There are no identified access issues to the the site, however, the proposed operation needs to consider the nearby AQMA at Northfleet Industrial Estate. Use of the existing derelict industrial land will help to minimise the impact on the local environment. There are a number of designated nature areas within 1km of the site that need to be considered.

HRA- Given the distances of this facility from European sites it is likely that the only potential impact pathway is if an Energy from Waste facility is brought forward. In that case further assessment will be required in accordance with Environment Agency guidance.

Site Specific Considerations
Natural Environment	SPA, Ramsar, SSSIs, NNR and LWS within 1km but barriers mean they are unlikely to be a significant constraint.
Heritage	Chalk Quarry is likely to have fully removed potential for finding remains.
Highways	If the proposal is granted permission, a contribution should be sought for traffic signal control at the Manor Way/ A226 London Road junction.
Hydrogeology	In Groundwater Source Protection Zone 3 and within Flood Zone 2 and Flood Zone 3.
Type of Waste	Non-recyclable commercial waste in the form of sorted and blended cardboard, paper, waste wood and non-specific biomass.

Conclusion

The site consists of previously developed land. In combination with the other allocated sites, this site will provide sufficient capacity to meet the need for new EfW capacity set out in the MWDF. Sufficient details have been submitted about the proposed development such that it can be demonstrated that the facility will be delivered within a time frame to fit the requirements of the Core Strategy.

Copyright 2013 Kent County Council

Site 107: Land at Lower Road, Swanscombe (Popup full image) 

Power plant bid for Swanscombe could affect plans for huge Paramount Park... Yes But Only if its Built...

Power plant bid for Swanscombe could affect plans for huge Paramount Park...

by Thom Morris

tmorris@thekmgroup.co.uk

Plans to build a power plant with a 213 foot chimney in Swanscombe are being opposed by Dartford council over fears it will impact on Paramount Park.

Teal Energy has submitted plans for the plant, in Manor Way, that will produce renewable energy from non-recyclable commercial waste.

Dartford council has objected over the "incompatibility" of the idea, which would be built close to the planned Paramount Park scheme.

How the site could look

The 24/7 operation will be housed in two large steel-framed buildings.

The fuel will be received and stored in one building on the northern site, which will be 2,250m2 and 36 feet high.

This will be connected by conveyor to an energy plant housed in the building on the southern site, which will be 65 feet high and be 4,247m2 with a 213 foot chimney.

Once operational, it could produce enough electricity for 45,000 homes as well as powering Paramount Park.

What Paramount Park could look like on the Swanscombe Peninsula

Proposals predict an average of 108 HGV deliveries to the site during a 12-hour period, which runs from 7am until 7pm - with routes including Stanhope Road and Swanscombe High Street.

Teal Energy says in it plans: "Our proposal differs from established energy from waste plans which traditionally have been mass incineration of non-recycled waste.

"We use clean, advanced conversion technology to generate renewable energy by converting residual recyclates, the material left after a recycling process, into an energy rich gas and using this to generate electricity. It is considered to be a virtually carbon neutral and clean technology."

Swanscombe and Greenhithe Town Council has also objected to the application because they are concerned about the environmental impact of the site and the impact of the gasses emitted.

They also object to the application as it will "prejudice the proposals" for theme park on the Swanscombe Peninsula.

Planning officer Sonia Bunn said: "Concern has been raised that the proposal will be detrimental to the proposals for the theme park on Swanscombe Peninsula, but as a planning application has not been submitted for this development yet this cannot specifically be taken into account.

"However, the council's Core Strategy seeks the development of Swanscombe Peninsula to bring about benefits in the area and the current proposal is considered to be prejudicial to this."

The matter will be discussed by Dartford council at a meeting on Thursday night with the ultimate decision being made by Kent County Council at a later date.

The Paramount scheme will see the third-largest theme park in the world, built on the Swanscombe peninsula with Paramount Pictures supporting it.

If planning permission is approved, it is claimed there will be 17,000 jobs on the site with a further 10,000 jobs created to meet the demands of the park.

Fears were announced during consultation for a new lower Thames crossing which could go straight through the park site.

It was revealed during the public consultation that option B for a crossing was putting investors off.

Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite said: "We are meeting experienced and highly credible investors from the UK and overseas to talk about the great opportunities here and almost the first question they now ask is why the government is even thinking about a crossing at the Swanscombe peninsula."

Government urges more parking provision...

Government urges more parking provision

The Department for Communities and Local Government is set to publish new planning guidance calling for more town centre car parking provision. The department also wants to see less street clutter and fewer road humps.

DCLG said the new planning guidance will push for more town centre parking spaces and propose measures to tackle the blight of ugly street clutter and aggressive ‘anti-car’ traffic calming measures like road humps.

The new practice guidance, covering design, town centres and travel plans, will state that councils should understand the important role appropriate parking facilities can play in rejuvenating shops, high streets and town centres.

It also sets out how town hall planning rules should not be used to tax drivers or justify development of crude traffic calming measures, such as poorly-sited bollards and road humps.

The new government guidance is part of a new ‘easy-to-use’ online guide that replaces 7,000 pages of previous planning documents. It has been developed following an external review to make planning more accessible to councillors and local residents.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Draconian town hall parking policies and street clutter can make driving into town centres unnecessarily stressful and actually create more congestion because of lack of places to park. Anti-car measures are driving motorists into the arms of internet retailers and out of town superstores, taking their custom with them.

Access the Department for Communities and Local Government press release

Roger Milne
29 August 2013

Public meeting on Lower Thames Crossing

Dartford Borough Council will be hosting a public meeting regarding the options for the location of a new Lower Thames Crossing on Wednesday 10 July 2013.

The meeting will include a presentation from the Department for Transport on the possible options and contributions from other interested parties including Dartford Borough Council Leader Jeremy Kite explaining the Council’s view that Dartford should not be home to a new crossing. There will then be plenty of time for questions and answers from local residents and businesses and an opportunity to get your voice heard.

Councillor Kite said, “The Dartford Crossing is a hugely controversial issue and this consultation is a fantastic opportunity to let the government know how strongly we feel. This meeting gives Dartford residents the chance to find out as much as they can and reply to the consultation before the closing date.”

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 10 July at 7pm in the Ballroom, Acacia Hall, Dartford DA1 1DJ. Doors open at 6.30pm and places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

We are grateful to KCC for their support.

Full information and the consultation documents are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/options-for-a-new-lower-thames-crossing 

© Dartford Borough Council 2013

UKIP Slams Tory Election 'Smear Campaign'

Sky News reported that UKIP has accused the Tories of running a "morally reprehensible" smear campaign by trawling through would-be councilors' Twitter and Facebook posts.

John Sullivan

The party claims it is a victim of a co-ordinated smear campaign by the Conservatives to undermine its local election prospects.

The row comes as one of the party's council candidates faces criticism for allegedly posting a series of anti-gay comments on Facebook. 

Gloucestershire County Council hopeful John Sullivan is accused of writing that regular physical exercise in schools can prevent homosexuality and congratulating Russia for banning gay pride.

At least two Sunday newspapers ran negative UKIP stories. To read the full story as reported by Sky News click on the following link: UKIP Slams Tory Election 'Smear Campaign.

We decided to do some scrolling of our own to see if we could find any evidence to support claims of smear campaign closer to home...

UKIP Cllr Chris Browne is thought to have been the subject of smear campaigns in Surrey that he isn't going to take up his job as a borough Councillor. What nonsense! It just shows how desperate the other parties have become that they stoop to this. 

However we found no evidence to support UKIP claims, in fact locally we found evidence to support quite the opposite where it is clear UKIP and their supporters are attacking fellow candidates; claiming Conservatives Candidate Keith Kelly is weak and, The Swanscombe & Greenhithe Residents Association have been torn apart following the decision not to allow the current KCC Councillor Richard Lees to contest his seat. Instead they put forward a proven deviate... We need people in politics who can make a difference vote UKIP.

At the time of writing this piece Mr Peter Harman was unavailable for comment. However former Councillor David West who recently resigned his seat on the Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council and who was somewhat controversially replaced by none other-than Josephine Harman had this to say:

"As an ex S&GRA Councillor, this interests me. Richard is a very motivated Councillor, he does far more than most. There was an election, unfair in my opinion, which i took part in. Richard lost to one of the "old school" Councillors. The winning Councillor's wife was later shoe horned into the vacancy left by me, there was no election. I'm afraid S&GRA lives in the past. Dominated by old men (mainly) that are more interested in free cups of tea and biscuits than they are in "ruffling feathers". The council does very little to support the old part of Greenhithe, it may as well be called the Swanscombe and Ingress Park Town Council. Having said all this, I'd rather eat my own eyes than vote for UKIP".

What do you think ?
Should ordinary hard working men and women who want to serve their communities be subjected to a political lynch mob. A Conservative party source told Sky News that..."UKIP should be held to account about the candidates they want to hold public office." We are inclined to agree provided the same can be said of the candidates standing for the Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association Party, The Conservative, Liberal Democrats  and The Labour Party and others.

 

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.”

So people drive to places they can walk to...

Greenhithe Marina Residents Association

Councillor's Surgeries in Greenhithe and Knockhall

The Town Council provide the opportunity for the Borough, Kent County and Town Councillors, representing Swanscombe and Greenhithe, to hold surgeries for members of the public . This enables you to meet, ask questions, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town and will take place on the first Sunday of each month

The Borough Councillors for Greenhithe will be holding surgeries at the following dates and locations. All are welcome.

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Greenhithe Village.

Venue: Asda Cafe, Greenhithe Village.
Date: for the period of Friday 3 June 2011 to Saturday 3 May 2014

Time: 10:30am 12pm (noon)

Details:

Cllr Susan Butterfill

• Dartford Borough Councillor for Greenhithe Ward  Sue Butterfill  will be holding surgeries at the Asda Cafe in Greenhithe from 10.30am to noon on the second Sunday of every month (excluding August). 
• For more information please call Cllr Butterfill on 07757 494621 or alternatively you can contact your local Councillor by emailing questions and comments to susan.butterfill@dartford.gov.uk,  

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Knockhall.

Venue: Greenhithe Community Centre Alexander Road Knockhall.
Date: for the period of Friday 3 June 2011 to Saturday 3 May 2014

Time: 7pm to 9pm

Details:

Cllr Kieth Kelly

Cllr David Mote

• Dartford Borough Councillors for Greenhithe Ward   Keith Kelly and   David Mote, will be holding surgeries at the Greenhithe Community Centre in Alexander Road Knockhall from 7pm until 9pm on the first and third Friday of every month. 
• For more information you can call either 
• Cllr Kelly on mobile 07534 980500 or via email at kieth.kelly@dartford.gov.uk or 
• Cllr Mote on Mobile 07712 543711 email at david.mote@dartford.gov.uk 

• Alternatively you can email questions and  comments to motekellymorris@hotmail.co.uk

Dartford Borough Councillor Surgeries held within Swanscombe.

Venue: Community Hall, Council Offices, The Grove, Swanscombe.

Date: Sunday 5 June, 2011 to Sunday 6 July, 2014
Time: 10:30 to 12:00

Details:

Councillor's Surgeries in Swanscombe. 

The Town Council also provides the opportunity for the Borough, Kent County and Town Councillors, representing Swanscombe to hold surgeries for members of the public .

This enables you to meet, ask questions, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town and will take place on the first Sunday of each month. 

Councillor B. E. Read

Councillor L. J. Bobby

Councillor J. A. Hayes

Have your say! 

Come and meet, talk to, share views, concerns and ideas you have about YOUR Town with the people elected to represent Swanscombe (Town, Borough and County Councillor's). These surgeries will take place on the first Sunday of each month (beginning November 2009).
All are welcome.

Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council Offices, The Grove in Swanscombe

Please click on the name for more details of the Dartford Borough Councillors for Swanscombe:- Councillor L J Bobby, Councillor J A Hayes and Councilor B E Read.

GREENHITHE PARKING REVIEW

At a meeting of the Joint Transportation Board on 6 December 2011 at Dartford Borough Council it emerged that more than two hundred (200) vehicles have been removed from Greenhithe streets thereby improving traffic movement and safety related pressures they had caused. It is therefore clear that the introduction of CPZs have been effective in deterring commuter parking in residential streets. 

However what the report failed to mention was the positive impact the pay and display regime  was also having on the Public Car Parks which has had the effect of freeing up additional  visitor parking.  In total we understand that there are nearly Six Hundred (600) less commuter related vehicles parked in and around the Streets near to Greenhithe Railway Station each day. This is clearly welcome news and a job well done resulting from the Councils efforts, which many of our members believe would never have come to fruition had it not been for the marina planning application.  A copy of the full report that went before the Joint Transportation Board can be downloaded via the following link: Chairman’s Update Greenhithe Parking Review

The images below taken mid-morning show just how much parking space is available at Greenhithe during the week. Many residents will remember that prior to the introduction of on-street parking controls, all previously available Public Car Parking spaces and those on the surrounding streets were occupied by commuters. 

Greenhithe Parking Review Slide Show