Southeastern have announced that parking charges are to be introduced at Folkestone West train station. The charging plan, which comes into effect as of 29th June, had not been notified in advance to local residents or Councillors who were shocked at the move and predicted increased parking problems locally.
Neil Matthews attended a meeting at Lydd Airport on Friday (23rd May). The meeting had been called by FLAG (Friends of Lydd Airport Group) who wished to question the Liberal Democrat, Conservative and Labour Parliamentary Candidates about their views concerning the expansion of the airport.
A review of Lib Dem Spring Conference in Liverpool and look ahead to the Lib Dems Autumn Conference in Bournemouth is now available at http://tinyurl.com/46ohu7
The Environment Agency has developed a draft strategy for managing the risk of flooding and erosion along the coast between Folkestone and Cliff End. Through a process of technical, economic and environmental assessment the draft strategy has identified proposed options for each section of the coast within the strategy area.
Shepway Council are in the process of consulting on the first phase of a parking strategy, that will see a controlled parking zone introduced across the centre of Folkestone before the end on 2008.
Shepway Council are consulting on the introduction of a Controlled Parking Zone in Central Folkestone, which would see all residents who wish to park on streets near their home pay for a new parking permit.
The Government has published a consultation paper on moving the date of the Local Elections (counties and unitaries) to coincide with the Euro elections on 4th June. The full consultation paper is at http://tinyurl.com/46aszm
Shepway District Council Leader, Robert Bliss, has made changes to the Conservative Cabinet - just seven days after announcing his cabinet to the Council's AGM! The re-shuffle moves some responsibilities and sees Malcolm Dearden promoted to the cabinet, and Shirley Newlands leave it. Rory Love loses the key environment and parking portfolio,
The people of Sandgate will be able to have their say on whether their local council should be a parish or town administration in a poll on 12 June. Sandgate Council's annual meeting on 13 May called for the poll, which will ask people to vote yes or no to the following question:
Strike action by French fishermen has led to the implementation of Operation Stack on the M20 in Kent to ease jams caused by Dover-bound lorries. The Port of Dover to all ferry traffic after the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and Boulogne were blockaded, and there have been no sailings since 6am.
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesman for Folkestone & Hythe, Neil Matthews, has joined Liberal Democrats from across the country in helping in the Party's campaign in Henley-on-Thames. Henley faces a by-election following the election of MP Boris Johnson as the Mayor of London, and the Liberal Democrats are the clear challengers to the Conservatives for the seat.
Ministers are to consider plans for a database of electronic information holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK, it has emerged. The plans, reported in the Times, are at an early stage and may be included in the draft Communications Bill later this year, the Home Office confirmed.
