My Community Voice – Winter Newsletter

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The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Winter Newsletter 2026 now live!
Catch up on recent activity from the Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, including:
• Police Property Act Fund awards
• Police Funding Consultation
• Priorities and plans for 2026
• Our latest community visits
Scan the QR code or click the link below to catch up on what we’ve been doing and what’s coming in 2026. Subscribe now through the link below or check your inbox if you’re already on the list!

https://url41.mailanyone.net/scanner?m=1veC1D-000000003Ev-2d25&d=4%7Cmail%2F90%2F1767963000%2F1veC1D-000000003Ev-2d25%7Cin41v%7C57e1b682%7C28663298%7C14402108%7C6960FAABD5B558723BE95533E0645217&o=%2Fphtw%3A%2Fwtspew.ct-ckn%2Fv.geukno.%2Fmwsenun-erews%2Fteslt&s=afiPOoolZDB2XCZa19MVJABu6z4

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Waiting Restrictions Order – Straw Mill Hill

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Please find attached the proposed deposit documents for Amendment 25 a Waiting Restrictions Order on Straw Mill Hill and Farleigh Hill, Tovil in the Borough of Maidstone. This Order will be on public deposit from this Friday 19 December until 12 January 2026 and will be advertised in the Kent Messenger week ending Friday 19 December 2025 and public notices will be placed on site.

 

Representations supporting or objecting to the proposed Order can be made via our website from 19 December at https://url41.mailanyone.net/scanner?m=1vVojK-000000002iF-3MTB&d=4%7Cmail%2F90%2F1765966800%2F1vVojK-000000002iF-3MTB%7Cin41m%7C57e1b682%7C28663298%7C14402108%7C6942853A8E43B44885C5D175F6D60E38&o=t.wwgen.wkiuovh%2Fhg.ksswalonuycsnoitat&s=CUpWyaBVfmZOT2ggu-dslEN7QLshttps://url41.mailanyone.net/scanner?m=1vVojK-000000002iF-3MTB&d=4%7Cmail%2F90%2F1765966800%2F1vVojK-000000002iF-3MTB%7Cin41m%7C57e1b682%7C28663298%7C14402108%7C6942853A8E43B44885C5D175F6D60E38&o=t.wwgen.wkiuovh%2Fhg.ksswalonuycsnoitat&s=CUpWyaBVfmZOT2ggu-dslEN7QLs or alternatively you can write to The Senior Parking & Traffic Regulation Officer, Kroner House, Traffic Management Team, Highways & Transportation, Eurogate Business Park, Ashford, TN24 8UX by 12 noon on Monday 12 January 2026.Straw Mill Hill, Tovil PlanDeposit Document Amendment 25 Maidstone

Have your say on police funding in Kent!

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Have your say on police funding in Kent! Rising costs mean tough choices. Kent Police’s budget is currently funded 57% by central Government and 43% through local council tax (the precept). This year, Government has indicated PCCs may increase the precept by up to £15 a year for a Band D property (£1.25/month). This would help maintain current levels of service. Tell us what matters most and share your views:

Police Funding Consultation (Page 1 of 2)

Yellow Box Junctions in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone and Thanet: Enforcing Moving Traffic Offences

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Yellow Box Junctions in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Maidstone and Thanet: Enforcing Moving Traffic Offences | Let’s Talk Kent

Have your say!

To comment on the enforcement of moving traffic offences at these sites, please complete the online questionnaire below.

The responses to this consultation will be analysed and considered before any decisions are taken. Consultation feedback will be provided on this page.

If the decision is taken to proceed with enforcement at these sites, the intention is to install the ANPR cameras in early 2026.

Road Closure Notice – Farleigh Bridge, East Farleigh

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Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd – Temporary Road Closure – Farleigh Bridge, East Farleigh – 13th January 2026 (Maidstone District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd, it will be necessary to close part of Farleigh Bridge, East Farleigh, from 13th January 2026 with estimated completion by 14th January 2026.

Farleigh Bridge, East Farleigh, will be closed 20 metres either side of East Farleigh Level Crossing, between the hours of 23:30 and 04:30 only. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any Southbound through traffic is via Farleigh Lane, A26 Tonbridge Road, A20 Terrace Road, A20 London Road, A20 The Broadway, A229 St Peters Bridge, A229 Fairmeadow, A229 Bishops Way, A229 Palace Avenue, A229 Lower Stone Street, A229 Upper Stone Street, A229 Sheals Crescent, Old Tovil Road, B2010 Tovil Road, B2010 Tovil Hill, B2010 Farleigh Hill, B2010 Dean Street, B2010 Lower Road and Station Hill.

The alternative route for any Northbound through traffic is via Station Hill, B2010 Lower Road, B2010 Dean Street, B2010 Farleigh Hill, B2010 Tovil Hill, B2010 Tovil Road, Old Tovil Road, A229 Hayle Road, A229 College Road, A229 Mill Street, A229 Bishops Way, A20 The Broadway, A26 Tonbridge Road and Farleigh Lane.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow repair works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://url41.mailanyone.net/scanner?m=1vVQV8-00000000357-3puw&d=4%7Cmail%2F90%2F1765873800%2F1vVQV8-00000000357-3puw%7Cin41g%7C57e1b682%7C28663298%7C14402108%7C6941196A7DD8ABD6F8126099FED40790&o=%2Fphtn%3A%2Fotsree.%2Fwoknt4%3D%3Ft2B17mG51830&s=QyO2AVD7AajNZ8VIUHTuIOFOams

For information regarding this closure please contact Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd on 03457 114 141, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

Temporary Road Closure Farleigh Bridge, East Farleigh

Road Closure Notice – Straw Mill Hill

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Tamdown Group – Temporary Road Closure – Straw Mill Hill, Stockett Lane & Cave Hill, Tovil – 19th January 2026 (Maidstone District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by Tamdown Group, it will be necessary to close parts of Straw Mill Hill, Stockett Lane & Cave Hill, Tovil, from 19th January 2026 with estimated completion by 8th February 2026.

Straw Mill Hill will be closed at the junction of Cave Hill. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Stockett Lane will be closed at the junction of Cave Hill. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Cave Hill will be closed at the junction of Straw Mill Hill and Stockett Lane. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any Straw Mill Hill & Stockett Lane (Northbound) through traffic is via Straw Mill Hill, B2010 Tovil Hill, B2010 Tovil Road, B2010 College Road, A229 Mill Street, A229 Palace Avenue, A229 Lower Stone Street, A229 Upper Stone Street, A229 Loose Road, A229 Linton Road, B2163 Heath Road, Stockett Lane.

The alternative route for any Straw Mill Hill & Stockett Lane (Southbound) through traffic is via Stockett Lane, B2163 Heath Road, A229 Linton Road, A229 Loose Road, A229 Sheals Crescent, A229 Hayle Road, B2010 College Road, B2010 Tovil Road, B2010 Tovil Hill, Straw Mill Hill.

The alternative route for any Straw Mill Hill to Cave Hill through traffic is via Straw Mill Hill, B2010 Tovil Hill, B2010 Tovil Road, B2010 College Road, A229 College Road, A229 Mill Street, A229 Palace Avenue, A229 Lower Stone Street, A229 Upper Stone Street, A229 Loose Road, Cripple Street, Teasaucer Hill, Hayle Mill Road, Cave Hill.

The alternative route for any Cave Hill to Straw Mill Hill through traffic is via Cave Hill, Hayle Mill Road, Teasaucer Hill, Cripple Street, A229 Loose Road, A229 Sheals Crescent, A229 Hayle Road, B2010 College Road, B2010 Tovil Road, B2010 Tovil Hill, Straw Mill Hill.

The alternative route for any Cave Hill to Stockett Lane through traffic is via Cave Hill, Hayle Mill Road, Teasaucer Hill, Cripple Street, A229 Loose Road, A229 Linton Road, B2163 Heath Road, Stockett Lane and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow storm drainage installation works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Tamdown Group.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://url41.mailanyone.net/scanner?m=1vU3Ib-000000006bF-3Wpq&d=4%7Cmail%2F90%2F1765546200%2F1vU3Ib-000000006bF-3Wpq%7Cin41h%7C57e1b682%7C28663298%7C14402108%7C693C1A0D391899D3A41ADCC05A894914&o=%2Fphtn%3A%2Fotsree.%2Fwoknt4%3D%3Ft1B17mG53712&s=pZrlUfCXdGXNMb-0oz0sKoldShU

For information regarding this closure please contact Tamdown Group on 01376 320 856, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

Straw Mill Hill

Straw Mill Hill

Landscape Character Assessment – Take Part!

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Maidstone Council is working with Fiona Fyfe Associates to review our Landscape Character Assessment(External link) (External link)(LCA).
The LCA considers land across the borough, its use, views and appearance, heritage, wildlife and social value.
We use this information to inform our planning and decision making for new developments and nature recovery in the borough, to ensure that we recognise and replicate positive features, especially where they are special or unique to the character of an area, and to avoid recognised harmful or negative impacts.
Part of our assessment is finding out what makes our landscape special to the people that live or visit here – We’d love to hear what you value about specific views or areas of land, or the features within them that make them special, in the area that you live in or visit in the Maidstone area. Are there places that you used to visit or where you still go regularly because they have a particular meaning to you? Are there any places or views you can think of that remind you of a precious or memorable moment in your life or which have been important to people that you have known?
How to get involved

Special Landscapes Mapping – Use our interactive map to tell us what landscapes and spaces in Maidstone Borough are special to you and why.

Consultation closes: 11 January 2026.

What Next
We will use this information to build a picture of the value of our landscapes and what landscape features matter to local people.
This information will help us to develop a draft LCA document, which we will consult further on in Spring/Summer 2026.