Planning Applications: Week ending 09/05/08
Posted by Alan Collins on Thursday, May 15th, 2008 at 07:33

Below is a list of planning applications for Twydall, received during the week ending 09/05/08.

Reference: MC2008/0761
Consultation Start: 09/05/08
Consultation End: 30/05/08
Location: 34 Priory Road Gillingham ME8 6AS
Description: Insertion of dormer to rear to facilitate living accommodation in roof space and construction of a first floor extension to rear (resubmission)
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Planning applications are listed for informative purposes only, and are in no way an endorsement of any individual application listed.

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Planning Applications: Week ending 28/04/08
Posted by Alan Collins on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 18:18

Below is a list of planning applications for Twydall, received during the week ending 28/04/08.

Reference: MC2008/0678
Consultation Start: 21/04/08
Consultation End: 12/05/08
Location: 34 Hawthorne Avenue Rainham Gillingham ME8 6TR
Description: Formation of a hip to gable end and installation of dormer to rear incorporating juliet balcony to facilitate conversion of roofspace into additional living accommodation
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Reference: MC2008/0690
Consultation Start: 22/03/08
Consultation End: 13/04/08
Location: 66 Locarno Avenue Gillingham ME8 6ES
Description: Construction of a single storey rear extension (demolition of existing extension)
Full Details/Comments: Medway Council Website

Planning applications are listed for informative purposes only, and are in no way an endorsement of any individual application listed.

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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.

Continue Reading “Twydall runabout - and a solution to the Goudhurst Road problem” »

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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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Selfish Teachers Ruining - Inexcusably - Kid’s Educations!
Posted by Alan Collins on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 23:47

STRIKE! The desperate and selfish action of a group of people incapable of rising above petty self-interest, chasing an impossible goal.

No, wait, don’t tell me, I’m a day late, aren’t I? Well, I did have to spend my four free periods yesterday (timetabled, mind, none of my teachers are selfish), as well as the evening, doing coursework. However, the news is still relevant.

Oh yes, the teachers were on strike yesterday. So were the civil servants. And the University lecturers. And the Grangemouth refinery in Scotland is closing it’s doors due to industrial action. Is it any wonder people are now comparing Brown’s Labour government to the 1970s “when workers resorted to strike action against a Labour government in a destructive frenzy”.

I was talking to a mate in my form yesterday morning who had the audacity to say that “this strike won’t affect us [Sixth Formers]”. Yes, so says the Sixth Form student taking the register in the same room as six other forms because his form tutor is on strike. No, I can’t notice any adverse effects there…

The fact is that schools here in Twydall had been affected. Rainham Mark Grammar was closed to years 7 and 8 - and year 10 only had to go in for the first two lessons to sit a Maths exam. Thames View Junior was closed to year six and St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary was closed to all but two year 6 classes.

I’d like to use this opportunity to say that this is all down to the actions of a government which the local Twydall councillors support. But I can’t. No matter how bad things may seem (and believe me, receiving a pay rise which is equal to or above the rate of inflation is a luxury few public sector workers will have seen after excessive spending on the part of the government) nothing provides, in my mind, adequate reason to strike.

Suffice to say the level of respect I once held for some teachers has dropped considerably after yesterday…

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