Twydall runabout - and a solution to the Goudhurst Road problem
Posted by Alan Collins on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 23:49

This post is a response to comments made on the post about Goudhurst Road

One of the advantages of running as part of my weight loss is that I get to explore different parts of Twydall Ward, by varying the route slightly each time.

Today’s route was: Goduhurst Road - Minster Road - Crundale Road - Waltham Road - Begonia Avenue - Pump Lane - Beechings Way - Goudhurst Road. As always I had my phone with me, and so was able to take this photograph:

This is the now-famous raised zebra crossing in Beechings Way, not far from the non-raised zebra crossing at Beechings Green. It is pointless, it is unnecessary and succeeds only in slowing down the flow of traffic, when really the goal which should be being pursued is speeding up the flow of traffic (without allowing them to break the speed limit, obviously!).

And that is precisely the point my driving instructor made when I told him that the Liberals were asking for a zebra crossing in Goudhurst Road - it will do nothing but slow down the flow of traffic and ensure that journeys by car are ever more awkward, increasing driver frustration.

The real problem in Goudhurst Road is parking, as has been mentioned several times before. I half-floated an idea on my last post on this issue, but didn’t really explore it in detail, which is what I intend to do now.

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Maybe they’re not serious
Posted by Alan Collins on Sunday, April 27th, 2008 at 21:53

I didn’t walk home along Goudhurst Road on Friday night (I had a driving lesson - I did drive, but I don’t pay too much attention to minor details when I have to ensure I’m not about to crash into something, or someone), so I didn’t get my question answered.

However, today I went for my second run into my weight loss (update later) and, running back along Goudhurst Road I discovered why I saw the Highway Services van parked on the corner of Goudhurst Road and Charing Road (no, they weren’t popping into the bakery, Rob):

This picture, taken on my phone (as an explanation for the low quality and small resolution) clearly shows a new road sign. The reason for a new one? The addition of the words “Leading to LYNSTEAD ROAD & WESTERHAM CLOSE”. Now this is really beginning to bug me!

If you asked someone who needed to know where Lynstead Road was, they’d probably be able to tell you. There are, after all, no less than two entrances: Charing Road and Eastcourt Green. The obscure road would be Westerham Close and yes, you’ve guessed it, that’s home to a Liberal Councillor.

Maureen Ruparel returned to Medway Council last May, since when I have counted three actions (there may be more which I have missed) related (or seemingly related) to the quality of her life (and, in some cases, very few others’): the attempt at getting residents only parking in Westerham Close, the attempt at getting an unnecessary zebra crossing in Goudhurst Road and now this absurd road sign.

I didn’t venture down to Westerham Close itself (it was at the end of the run and I was heading home), but I did wonder whether they also changed the Westerham Close sign to read “Leading to MAUREEN’S HOUSE” below the road name (my Dad suggested something similar, although that is a bit too inappropriate to repeat here!).

I could go on for hours moaning about the disgusting self-interest displayed in these acts. However, I shall save it for another day and instead write an article to respond to views expressed as comments in my past two blog posts.

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Looking after number one
Posted by Alan Collins on Thursday, August 9th, 2007 at 23:54

LOOKING through the minutes of the full council meeting of July 26 in order to refresh my memory (I watched eagerly from the public gallery, but have since been through an intense week at RAF Shawbury and forgotten most of it) I noticed something new.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that it happened, I saw it happen, I just didn’t hear the wording Cllr Stamp gave to the petition he handed on behalf of residents:

Councillor Stamp presented a petition from 26 residents requesting that the Council make Westerham Close, Twydall, a residents only parking zone.

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