MIXED fortunes for Kingsley was the message conveyed by the parish chairman at last week's annual parish meeting. In his report to fellow councillors and members of the public, Colin Neville said that there were grounds for optimism in the council's quest to reduce the village speed limit to 30 mph, but some obstacles still remain. Mr Neville said: "In order for the necessary traffic regulation order to be passed, approval is needed from our county councillor and the policeman with responsibility for traffic in our area. "County councillor Mark Kemp-Gee has given his wholehearted support, however, the police are another matter and will not give their approval until our speed averages drop to below 40 mph," explained Mr Neville. He continued: "It has become clear that the 2003 survey measured traffic speed at the very fast entry points to the village, and however frustrating, these statistics cannot be undone. "The recent fatal accident involving a motorcyclist outside The Cricketers pub and the accident to Morgan Morrissey next to the playground are not in themselves sufficient to force a change in the speed limit. "Therefore, the next stage is to get the county council to complete the latest proposed traffic calming measures as quickly as possible." Mr Neville said that the county council would then conduct a new survey with exit and entry points brought closer to the village centre. He said that if the survey showed that traffic speed had reduced to the required level, then the police should then give their consent to changing the speed limit. "The current situation is very frustrating, but all is far from lost," said Mr Neville. Of planning matters within the village over the last year, the chairman said that a large number of applications had been submitted which the council carefully examined in the best interests of Kingsley. Mr Neville then reported that the parish was currently fighting a planning application by Grundons to extend and deepen the existing sand cavities and to allow a low-level restoration of its site. The argument against further extraction centres rested on the protection of the aquifer, and therefore the local drinking water, since Grundons is seeking to be allowed to use material other than gault clay for infill. Mr Neville said the proposals amounted to the classic "dig a hole to fill a hole" scenario. He said Grundons' proposals for importing materials for restoration would lead to an extra 50,000 lorry movements over five years. Mr Neville continued: "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has taken over Oaklands Farm and plans to run its annual convention there from July 28 to 30. "This would result in very heavy traffic through the village at certain times of the day, although villagers ought to be able to get in and out of the village on the lanes even if the B3004 was congested." He said that the parish council's view was that the event would happen, since it was a religious festival and the 28-day rule applied. He also believed it was better to work with the association rather than against it. It was also announced that the the precept had been held at £10,000 for the second year running and that the playground remained well used and had only needed minor repairs during the year. Regarding the village open space, Mr Neville thanked the Kingsley Benefit Fund and Mandy Kelly for the picnic tables that were now in place, and Sabine Roach for the new planting. He also told members that the football pitch would be re-turfed shortly. He added: "St Nicholas Church has remained superbly looked after by the St Nicholas repair fund. And after a long absence, Byron's table had finally been returned to Ockham Hall." Mr Neville also took time to thank his fellow councillors and the clerk, as well as all the those who aided the council throughout the year to ensure the best interests of the village were maintained.
