THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

In a recent (20.1.16) posting, we described a Shepway Cabinet Meeting as Pure Theatre – Poules sans tete (Headless Chickens). David Monk and his Cabinet cronies went through the pretence of debating and voting on who would like a lorry park between Stanford and Sellindge. Surprise, surprise all the cronies voted for it. Could they all be excused for not realising what a white elephant it would be or the strength of feeling against it in Stanford, Monks Horton, Stowting, Postling and Lympne. Well at least one Councillor knew but she still voted for option 1, Alternative 3 – Jenny Hollingsbee. But at least she made it a matter of record that Operation stack would still have to be implemented even with the biggest lorry park in the world. Towing the party line most obviously the order of the day here.

But hang on. Where is Sellindge in all of this? Confusion reigns, but is it still reigning?

Through the grapevine we heard that Sellindge PC were in favour of a lorry park, albeit only for 2000 in Stanford/Sellindge. Still four times the size of the largest lorry park in the UK. But how could this be and what's the reasoning behind it. Last Tuesday (9.2.16) evening we were all treated to another tranche of theatre, but this time we were all going to the movies: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY.

At least 60 good local residents attended to pose questions to Sellindge PC along with residents from Stanford and Monks Horton (also good).

The opening salvo from a local resident was 'Why did you think that supporters of the lorry park were intimidated by residents who opposed it as you have already stated'. (This was in response to the PC's statement that residents were afraid to show HE support).  The Chairman's reply was because they didn't show their hands when asked to do so, or words to that effect, followed by a good spattering of 'we assumed'.

During the questioning and the PC's garbled answers we understand that the PC's main reason for supporting the HE proposal was to reduce the lorries passing through the village. Are we all missing something here? Unless Sellindge PC can support this claim or notion with some real evidence, then it is completely unfounded.

Chairman Bull had already adopted an aggressive attitude and looked to be taking no prisoners. As the evening progressed and the questioning more probing, Chairman Bull's attitude became even more hostile and bullying, reminiscent of an unsavoury, beleaguered old gringo. The scenes were ugly.

Residents were incredulous with the rudeness and idiotic remarks (I'd shoot the lot of them) being made by a Chairman in public office, purporting to represent the 1600 residents of Sellindge, making judgement's and decisions on their behalf. I heard one resident say 'Could this be Donald Trump smuggled into the UK and disguised as Chairman Bull?' Another resident shouted 'He's an idiot wrapped up in the skin of a moron'. (I take it he was answering the other resident on the Donald Trump issue).

If it wasn't so serious, it would be funny. But it is serious. So serious that resident's would rather have no Parish Council at all rather than be represented by Chairman Bull and Co.

At this moment in time, we have a Parish Council that has decided to support Damian Collins and Highways England to construct the largest global lorry park on our doorstep and they haven't even taken the trouble to conduct a simple survey to judge the mood of the people, whose lives will be massively impacted. They have ignored any structure or framework that belies the foundation of any decent Parish Council.

For fear of being prescriptive, may we suggest to Sellindge Parish Council to reconsider their position, take account of the majority view, tell HE that your position has now changed to one that reflects the wishes of local residents and stand alongside neighbouring Parishes. Moreover, you can ask Damian Collins to remove Sellindge Parish Council from his list of 'mushroom' Lorry Park supporters who are so conveniently being kept in the dark and tell Mr. Collins to start coming up with a few honest facts.

So, we've already mentioned the good and the ugly. You decide who's bad.

S&DRA.

SURVEY RESULTS.

Dear Residents of Sellindge and neighbouring villages.

We have conducted a simple survey of which you would have all been aware.

The number of residents agreeing with the general principle of building a massive lorry park in the Stanford area as set out by Highways England amounts to 3 residents.

The number of residents opposing the building of a lorry park as set out by Highways England amounts to 101 residents

As a reminder: The scheme is to build a 3,600 lorry park West of Stanford, East of Sellindge. 

The biggest Lorry Park/Truck stop in the UK, as confirmed by 'Highways England' is 554 (Essex)

The biggest Lorry Park/Truck Stop in Kent is 390. (Ashford)

S&DRA.

LIES,DAMNED LIES AND STATISTICS.

Cast your minds back to the Highways England Lorry Park Exhibitions and visualise Paul Harwood standing between the pink blobs on barely discernible maps telling us that one big lorry park is the only way forward, and that multiple lorry parks are out of the question because 'smart' signage simply would not work. Then cast your minds back to Westenhanger Castle where our Member of Parliament, Damian Collins said the same thing when questioned on the very same subject by local residents.

As Mr. Harwood and Mr. Collins were not forthcoming on any statistics to back up their claims, we can only deduce that great untruths were being told. 

Capita Group is a FTSE 100 company operating in the support sector and this is what they are saying:

Since 2005 our transport technology team has worked on Highways England's Traffic Information System (HATRIS) which is used to monitor and report on vehicle journey times on the motorway and trunk road network. The system enables Highways England and the Department for Transport to identify trends and to design new schemes based on solid evidence of traffic flows. Highways England has also appointed us to provide a new asset management system and associated consultancy services for its road maintenance teams.

We're also involved in developing and managing other important high tech schemes, including:

·                            active traffic management

·                            managed motorway systems

·                            road user charging and tolling systems

·                            tunnel control and monitoring

·                            real time passenger information

·                            technology enforcement systems

·                            traffic monitoring and control systems.

 Was Mr Harwood or Mr. Collins not aware of HATRIS ?  Well I suppose we could forgive Mr. Collins for not knowing about HATRIS because he is only our MP, but Mr. Harwood should be 'up to speed' with all developments, or has he had a (very convenient) mental block for the past 11 years. 

S&DRA

IT'S OFFICIAL. - IT DOESN'T STACK UP.

It's Official, Our Councillors have said that a single  gigantic lorry park west of Stanford (or anywhere else) WILL NOT FIX OPERATION STACK.

The Deputy Leader of Shepway District Council, Jenny Hollingsbee made her views known at a Shepway Cabinet meeting on the 19th January 2016, The 'Highways England' plan to cover 250 acres of arable farm land with concrete to house 3, 600 lorries will not solve the build up of lorries when industrial action is taking place in France.

Susan Carey also echoed Jenny's sentiment when writing in the Folkestone Herald just two day's later. Susan quotes:  One gigantic lorry park wont solve Operation Stack as it will take less than a days worth of traffic.

S&DRA, Monks Horton and Stanford parishes welcomes their comments.

S&DRA.

Our film production team has put together 'STANFORD DOES NOT STACK UP'. Please view and send on to friends and others who you think will make a difference.

   

    https://youtu.be/keACv5AMq2w

S&DRA

PURE THEATRE - POULES SANS TETE

Is it still too late for panto? We don't think so. We were treated to an amazing display of Shepway theatre last night featuring David Monk, Alistair Stewart and the full compliment of Cabinet Cronies. 

Poules sans tete (Headless chickens) was expertly executed by an experienced cast of true thespians displaying their theatrical skills within the ampitheatre of the Civic Centre, Folkestone.

So what's it's all about?

The cabinet meeting was an exercise in 'kicking about' the pretence that a Lorry park with a capacity of 3,600 would solve the problem of Operation Stack.

We won't bore you with the detail of puerile debate which ensued because we all knew what the outcome would be. Another box ticking exercise from a pathetic council towing the line of Cameron, Carter, Collins, Green and Highways England.

In an academic attempt to make the council realise that their approval of a very large white elephant is a catastrophic mistake, we would pose just two very simple questions: We have taken the liberty of answering for the cast of  Poules sans tete based on their preceding debate.

Q.  If a very long road has a steady stream of 6.000 Lorries over 24 hours. How long      would it take to fill up a lorry park with 3,600 spaces?.

A.

Poules sans tete  ??????????

Paul Harwood, Highways England: . Less than a day.

Average 8 year old student: 14.4.hours

Q. When the 3,600 Lorry park is full, where will all the other Lorries go?

A.

Poules sans tete We will look at future development another time. But for the meantime, let's concentrate on the debate this evening.

Paul Harwood, Highways Enland.  Back on the M20 as Stack.

Average 8 year old student: The remaining 2,400 day's worth of lorries would have to be stacked on the M20. The problem is, unless the world implodes just as the last of the 2,400 lorries is stacked, another 6,000 will be arriving the next day.Please let me know if you require a more detailed analysis.

So, once again, there we have it. Call them what you like; 'Headless Chickens', 'Rat's on a sinking ship'  lemmings all rushing off the edge of a cliff. The problem is;............................ they're taking us with them.

S&DRA

MEETING AT SHEPWAY COUNCIL, CIVIC CENTRE.- LORRY PARK

The Public consultation: Managing Freight Vehicles through Kent is scheduled for Tuesday 19th January at 4pm at Shepway District Council, Civic Centre, Folkestone.

This is an opportunity for residents to put a face to a name, if you haven't already done so.

Please make the effort to attend and fill the public gallery so Councillors can see the strength of feeling against this proposed White elephant monstrosity Lorry Park.

S&DRA.

TAKING MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS

It seems that our elected representatives are not working for us by getting the message across to people that make decisions that affect our lives. We have already taken matters into our own hands by writing to the Prime Minister and The Secretary of State for Transport but there is more that we can all do.

I would strongly recommend copying any letters to the following:

lilian.greenwood.mp@parliament.uk - As the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Lilian can question whether the DfT and Highways England have undertaken Due Diligence in assessing this project.

It's also well worth writing and copying in these:

tim@timfarron.co.uk

hilary.benn.mp@parliament.uk

rachael.maskell.mp@parliament.uk

evansn@parliament.uk

These four Northern MPs can question why 5 times as much is being invested in this project as opposed to flood defences in major Northern cities.

DON'T LEAVE IT TO THE LIKES OF COLLINS, MONK AND CARTER.

THEY DON'T WANT TO UPSET THE TORY APPLE CART. - THEY ONLY HAVE THEIR CAREERS TO TAKE CARE OF.

S&DRA.

THE FAT OF THE LAND

Landowners, farmers and smallholders would rightly have a copy of the excellent book by John Seymour, 'The Fat of the Land'. But would Shepway District Council really need one?

In a statement issued this week by David Monk, the purchase of 357 acres in Sellindge was carried out in haste and is explained in SDC documentation:

DECISION MAKING PROCESS

As the land acquisition relates to an urgent decision outside the budget and policy framework there are certain procedural steps to take. This Constitution, under the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure rules, allows an officer to take a decision which is contrary to the Council's policy framework or contrary to or not wholly in accordance with the budget approved by full Council if the decision is a matter of urgency. However. the decision may only be taken if:

1. It is not practical to convene a quorate meeting of the full Council, and

2. Where the decision is subject to call-in the Chairman of the Resources Scrutiny Committee agrees that the decision is a matter of urgency. 

SDC paid 5.263 million pounds for the land including fees which we feel is way over top for arable land. But will it stay arable for very long? Who knows? We only ask the question.

It begs the question: Why was it so urgent? And why did SDC pay over top just for arable land.? Were other landowners interested in buying it for longer term farming activities?.

If SDC had invested the money elsewhere (and let's all hope they don't follow the lead of Kent County Council and invest it in Iceland) they could have generated income of around £50,000 per annum.- Not to be sniffed at. 

However, they say that through a SHORT TERM leasing of the land this loss would be covered. Why not long term?

So there you have it. If you need to know more or wish to read the full report please telephone Jeremy Chambers on 01303 853503 and ask for report number A/15/20.

We will be coming back to this matter later in the year.

S&DRA.

SICK OF BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST A BRICK WALL - WRITE TO THESE.

Dear Residents,

We have now all experienced the Highways England Exhibition at various venues around this corner of Kent and the general consensus of opinion among residents is that it was a box ticking exercise, void of any real detail and carried out in haste. Moreover, the sense that our voice is not being heard is overwhelming. 

We have been asked to respond via the Highways England questionnaire that has been structured to get the right result for building a huge 150 acre lorry park between Stanford and Sellindge.

Whilst we would encourage you fill in the questionnaire, we would ask you to comment to Q13: 'Much smaller lorry parks along all of our motorway networks''.

It is now very clear that our MP, Damian Collins alongside Shepway District Council and Kent County Council are supporting the building of a Lorry Park West of Stanford / East of Sellindge. These people do not reflect the views of local residents.

In this regard, we would encourage all residents to contact:

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP,

Prime Minister,

10, Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

To email: 

Number 10 website. 

COPY TO:

The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

Secretary of State for Transport

House of Commons,

London SW1 0AA

email:  patrick.mcloughlin.mp@parliament.uk

Damian Collins MP,

House of Commons,

London SW1 0AA.

email: damian.collins.mp@parliament.uk

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Individual letters always carry more weight with emphasis on the following points:

1. With 10,800 Lorry movements each day, a 4000 capacity truck park will not solve operation stack.

2. The installation of a small town (which the lorry park would be) with a population in excess of 5000 would be completely out of scale, located between two small villages.

3. The 32 days of Operation Stack last summer was unprecedented and only brought about by Industrial action IN FRANCE, compounded by migrant incursions

Since last August (and the building of substantial fencing around the  French port) we haven't experienced one day of Operation Stack.

4. This is not a local problem and should be addressed as a national problem with a national solution. Lorry parks should be installed all over the UK making provision for overnight parking.

5. 250 million pounds of taxpayers money (our money) should be used to address the problems IN FRANCE which is the root cause of all Operation Stacks. A dialogue with the French Authorities is a MUST.

6. Concreting over 150 acres of good arable farmland is a crime in itself taking that land out of circulation.

7. With housing construction gathering at pace within the area, our drainage infrastructure can be best described as 'poor' with manhole lids lifting and spewing effluent in times of high rainfall.

8 For many years we have had 'Water Scarcity Status'. Our ever depleting water supplies will come under even more pressure. An additional 5000 residents (transient) using permanent Sanitaryware will exacerbate the problems

9. Make it clear that Damian Collins, MP does not reflect the views of local residents. This sentiment is echoed by neighbouring Parish Councils and informed individuals all over the UK.

10. Air Pollution from this Lorry park would be unacceptable and would contravene the Human Rights Act with regard to life expectancy.

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As time is of the essence, please write as swiftly as you can.

S&DRA.