Operation Stack Could Be a Thing of the Past?
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See Page13 Issue 135 Thursday 10th December Operation Stack could be a thing of the past? We’re not giving up without a Fight! That was the message that over 150 would cost, but surely that money would residents of Dymchurch have stated about be better spent keeping the current office Despite getting £250 million to help with the possible closure of the Village Post open.” the construction of a lorry park, Kent Office. One of the proposals put forward was for residents think its too little too late. With the Marsh suffering from the threat of the Post Office to relocate to the Premier The proposed lorry park will be at more and more closures of service Dymchurch Store. Junction 11 off the M20 and is proposed to businesses; a meeting was held. However, local residents have said the Members of the public gathered at the shop is totally inadequate to use as a post be constructed as a hard stand along with Methodist Hall recently to discuss office: one of the main reasons is that toilet and show blocks. proposals. getting in and out of the shop is restricted Shepway District Council have been Dymchurch Parish Council Chairman, by the width of the pavement. working on this project for a number of Roger Wilkins, told The Looker; “The Roger Wilkins said; “Its totally unaccept - weeks ‘prior’ to the announcement being people of Dymchurch have not given up able with the number of people who will be made in the autumn Chancellor’s on saving the current post office; Grant, using the post office. There is hardly statement by George Osbourne. who runs the office does a fantastic job. At space to get past on the pavement and if The council’s head of Planning, Chris our meeting, we was told by the Post someone parked a mobility scooter on the Lewis, was put in charge of the planning Office area manager Keith Laney, that a pavement then you would be forced to development and taken off other planning feasibility study would be carried out in the have to walk in the road, its an accident duties for the foreseeable future, to deal New Year. Heaven knows how much that waiting to happen!” Continued Page 2 with the project. Many local residents however, feel that ‘One horse race’ election could result in this site will not bring an end to the chaos every time that adverse weather or strike kids play area being cancelled action shuts the Port of Dover or the Some residents of Lydd are furious that a point and have an Euro-Tunnel services from Folkestone. because of a by-election following the election, Lydd Karen Turner, who represents a group resignation of former Councillor Fred residents will lose against Operation Stack told The Looker; Wood-Brignall, a bill for of around £9,300 out. Currently only “Yes the £250 million will help a bit, but we will come from the council’s funds. has one has think this is the wrong solution and the The money will come from a pot that had registered.” people of Westenhanger are paying the been put aside for a children’s play area. The money would price for the short sightedness of the One councillor who spoke exclusively to come out of the proposals. The answer is not to have a The Looker said; “This is just stupidity, council’s budgeted Ian Dimmock called because a few people are trying to make reserves and this for by-election bottleneck along the Kent corridor that is Continued Page 2 Continued Page 4 Thursday 10th December 2015 Because Local News Matters Post Keith Long, the Post Outcry over election cost for ‘one horse race’ Office area manager Office informed the meeting that: Continued from Front Page money was earmarked for a play area Continued from ‘There was funding avail - which will probably have to be postponed Front Page able for the next two years to re-locate current post or cancelled.” The last time Lydd held an offices into convenience stores, which will save uncontested election-in May this year-the on running costs’. The current Sub Postmas - cost was only £260.68. ter, Grant Peakall, explained that he still has a Cllr Tony Hills told The Looker; “When we five year lease on the premises and does not are so desperate for money this seems want to stop providing the current service and ludicrous, co-option could have been the that the situation was being forced onto him, to not only the simplest solution, but also the resign from providing his shop and service to most sensible.” The Public Document with ten the area. Cllr Ted Last added; “It’s such a shame, names calling for an election Everyone at the meeting fully supported Grant, because if these people wanted to serve If our council tax goes up or we with several issues being raised, namely that a the town of Lydd, then they should have have to cut services because of qualified postmaster would be replaced with a put themselves forward for election in their actions I hope they feel non-experienced shopkeeper, unable to May!” justified. It looks like it has been understand or have knowledge of what is The Looker was contacted by a concerned arranged by Ian Dimmock. I don’t required in delivering post office services. resident, although she did not want her know who he is, but hope he Cllr Richard Blackwell proposed that name published, she supplied us with the knows what he has done!” Dymchurch Parish ask for the Post Office list pictured right, and said “The people of What do you think? Limited to withdraw their plans and leave the Lydd are the ones that suffer, in times of Contact The Looker: post office where it is currently situated. council cuts this is the last thing we need. [email protected] Page 2 www.thelooker.co.uk Thursday 10th December 2015 As one business New Deli shuts its doors in New Romney High Street, another is open had its much anticipated for opening. Butterworth’s Deli opened its doors Business recently (Friday 27th November) when New Romney Mayor, Patricia Rolfe, cut the ribbon to declare the shop ‘officially open’ This comes in the same week that the National Westminster Bank finally closed, leaving only Lloyds Bank to service the whole of the Romney Marsh. Cllr & Mayor Partricia Rolfe cut the ribbon to declare Butterworth’s open However, some of the friendly staff who worked at NatWest have found employment in the new deli. more including buffet foods. The shop also offers a wide The store sells bespoke pre-packaged frozen meals and range of cheeses,cold meats,salads,artisan breads and desserts from the “Cook” range, which really is a major fresh take-away coffees. benefit for the residents of the Marsh; to be able to enjoy The Looker’s Editor, Annabel, said; “Having a shop like this ‘home-cooked, top quality food’ at reasonable prices. in New Romney really has raised the profile of the High Proprietor, Peter Butterworth, told The Looker: “Not only is Street. The selection in Butterworth’s Deli is more than a the food great, but its actually very good value too, it’s save match for Marks and Spencer’s or Waitrose and its on our time, effort and is stress free cooking” doorstep.” The food is laid out in categories with meals for one, two or As Mayor Patricia Rolfe opened the delicatessen she commented that it was “Fantastic, that a shop selling a wide range of top quality food has opened in the High Street. “It will be good for the other businesses’ of the town too, as Butterworth’s is sure to attract more people to the area.” The Looker wish Peter and his staff well and hope that when our readers visit his shop they mention that they read about it in The Looker. A Deli with a difference! Peter and his staff at Butterworth’s Page 3 Thursday 10th December 2015 Because Local News Matters Continued from the M20, but to do something to stop Front Page the lorries getting that far. I appreciate that hauliers have to deliver, but they Looker Christmas Edition will just try and find ways to park up off the main routes and try and short cut the delays by going through small towns available from and villages. Perhaps the Government should be looking at Wednesday 23rd December taking legal action against groups in France who cause this disruption. Its hardly a new thing, and to think that the French will just stop blocking the ports is ludicrous, they do it as it’s a great lever.” Knit one for charity Folkestone and Hythe That is what Jean Moon has been doing to raise money to MP Damian Collins told build a new church hall for the community of Greatstone. The Looker; “A The cuddly nativity characters go under the hammer considerable amount of (not literally) on the 12th December at St Peters Church work has been Hall, Greatstone. completed already looking at the best way to provide these facilities. The guiding principles are clear though; the lorry parking area needs to be mainly located off of the coast bound carriageway of the M20, it should be directly accessed from and exited to the motorway, and lorries should be made to use it whenever they need space to park so that we stop HGVs parking up on roadsides and in residential areas. Now that the funding is in place the consultation on the proposals can begin with a view to getting started on the project as soon as possible.