Committee:-

Chairman: Dr Felicity Simpson

Description:-

Maidstone is the County Town of Kent, sitting astride the River Medway. Tradition has it that those from the east side of the River are Men and Maids of Kent, and those from the west are Kentish Men and Kentish Maids. To the north of the town, the river passes through a broad valley through the North Downs. East of the town is Holmesdale Valley, between the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge is dominated by the M20 and the High Speed 1 rail link. South of the Greensand Ridge, the district covers a large area of the Low Weald, which has fertile farmland, but is flood prone, particularly around Yalding where the River Medway is joined by the River Beult and the River Teise.

Hot Issues:-

• 2010, we, and StopKIG, defeated the proposal for a vast 'Kent International Gateway' freight depot at Bearsted at public inquiry.

• Maidstone has 'Growth Point' status and is keen to expand into the surrounding countryside, but the town suffers from chronic traffic and air quality problems.