News

An emergency scheme run by Folkestone & Hythe District Council to help those on their own and those who are vulnerable has again been recognised for providing the highest standards of customer service.

Lifeline365, which provides a range of services for use in the home and also for those working outdoors or enjoying sporting activities alone, has retained its Telecare Services Association (TSA) accreditation for the 12^th year running.

The sought-after designation is only awarded to services that meet strict standards around reliability, including swift response times and 24-hour coverage.

Lifeline365 is operated for residents across the Folkestone & Hythe district as well those living in other areas of Kent and offers the service every day and night of the year. During the last 12 months, the Lifeline365 emergency team has dealt with 77,786 calls for help or assistance.

A Folkestone & Hythe District Council spokesperson said: “The team has worked hard to achieve this accreditation. The TSA process is very thorough and looks at all areas of the Lifeline365 service.

“Those using this service and their families can feel reassured that the Lifeline365 team is standing by to offer urgent help and support when it is needed.”

Lifeline365 has a range of alarms and detectors connecting users to a live chat service with the control room in case of emergency. The most popular is the emergency button worn as a pendant or on a wrist band which gives peace of mind for the user and their family. If the button is pressed, for example following a fall, a control room operator is able to talk to the person and then alert emergency services, a GP or a family member depending on the circumstances.

Other products include Footprint, a device that works anywhere with a mobile phone signal. It pinpoints a user’s location and is aimed at lone workers and sports people such as walkers, horse riders or runners. But it can also be linked to a geographical boundary and will alert the monitoring centre if the wearer moves outside that area.

For more information, visit folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/lifeline 

With the sad news on the passing of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Sandgate Parish Council lowered the Union Flag on Sandgate Village Green to half mast at midday today.

Reverend Bob Weldon has announced that St Paul’s Church will be open for between 10 and 12 noon on Saturday for Private Prayer, and the Church of England have opened an online Book of Remembrance.

A national book of condolence is available on the website of The Royal Household. The Royal Household has requested that members of the public do not leave floral tributes or gather in public places to offer their respects. The Palace has suggested that people could donate to charity instead, if they wish to do so.

Chairman of Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Cllr Ann Berry said:

“On behalf of the councillors and staff of Folkestone & Hythe District Council I would like to express our great sadness on hearing of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.

“Prince Philip influenced the lives of so many through his Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. We extend our deepest sympathies to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family at this time.

“According to protocol all flags on our civic buildings will fly at half-mast. The flags will only be returned to the mast head after the funeral has taken place. We urge other institutions and individuals to also fly their flags at half-mast.”

“From today, a period of national mourning began and will continue for eight days until the morning of the funeral. Staff and councillors will be asked to observe all official periods of silence so they can reflect on the great service HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh has offered this country and the Commonwealth nations over many decades.”

The closure notices for these works come in TWO Parts.

Part 1

Temporary Overnight Road Closures – B2064 Cheriton High Street, Cheriton, Folkestone – 23 & 26-28 April 2021

Overnight closures of B2064 Cheriton High Street, Cheriton, Folkestone are planned from Friday 23 April 2021 for up to 4 weekday nights, from 8.00 pm through to approximately 5.00 am each night. 

B2064 Cheriton High Street will be closed in phases between the junctions with B2064 Cheriton Approach (new traffic lights) and B2063 Risborough Lane, to the actual extent shown at any time.

The overall alternative route for all through traffic is via Cheriton Road (B2064 / A2034 / A259), A259 Castle Hill Avenue, Shorncliffe Road, Earls Avenue, Sandgate Road, Sandgate Hill, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate Esplanade, Seabrook Road, East Street, Prospect Road, Rampart Road, Red Lion Square, Dymchurch Road, Scanlons Bridge (Military Road in opposite direction), A261 London Road, Hythe Road, Ashford Road, Stanford Intersection, A20 Sandling Road, Ashford Road, Cheriton Interchange and B2064 Cheriton Approach.

Various side roads may need to be closed at their junctions with Cheriton High Street at certain times as the works progress, as and when indicated on site.

Personnel will be on site to allow managed access for residents and businesses when it is safe to do so, but there are likely to be delays and certain times when this is not possible for safety reasons.

The closures are to enable Kent County Council to carry out essential carriageway resurfacing works.

The works have been timed to be carried out overnight to reduce their impact

Some delays are likely, especially earlier in the evenings, so it is recommended that motorists allow extra time for their journeys or consider using alternative routes during these works.

The planned dates and duration may change for various reasons including the current coronavirus situation and adverse weather conditions, with any changes signposted on site and notified locally.

The most up to date information on these works, together with a map, can be found here: https://one.network/?tm=121686091

The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is 03000 418181 – please ask for Road & Footway Asset Team.

Part 2

Temporary Overnight Road Closures – B2064 Cheriton Road & Cheriton High Street, Folkestone – from 29 April 2021

Overnight closures of sections of B2064 Cheriton Road and Cheriton High Street, Folkestone are planned from Thursday 29 April 2021, with estimated completion by the night of 17 May 2021, 

Closures are from 8.00 pm through to approximately 5.00 am each night.

B2064 Cheriton Road and Cheriton High Street will be closed in phases between the junctions with A2034 Cherry Garden Avenue and B2063 Risborough Lane, to the actual extent shown at any time.

~ There will be no direct access between Folkestone and Cheriton during these closures ~

The signposted alternative route for through traffic is via Cheriton Road (B2064 / A2034 / A259), A259 Castle Hill Avenue, Shorncliffe Road, Earls Avenue, Sandgate Road, Sandgate Hill, Sandgate High Street, Sandgate Esplanade, Seabrook Road, East Street, Prospect Road, Rampart Road, Red Lion Square, Dymchurch Road, Scanlons Bridge (Military Road in opposite direction), A261 London Road, Hythe Road, Ashford Road, Stanford Intersection, A20 Sandling Road, Ashford Road, Cheriton Interchange and B2064 Cheriton Approach.

It may be necessary to close various side roads at their junctions with Cheriton Road and Cheriton High Street at certain times as the works progress, as and when indicated on site.

The following roads will become two-way during these works, as and when the relevant one-way signs are obscured:

Park Road, St Winifred’s Road, Grange Road, Coombe Road & Trimworth Road

Personnel will be on site to allow managed access for residents and businesses when it is safe to do so, but there are likely to be delays and certain times when this is not possible for safety reasons.

The closures are to enable Kent County Council to carry out essential carriageway resurfacing works.

The works have been timed to be carried out overnight, to reduce their impact.

Some delays are likely, especially earlier in the evenings, so it is recommended that motorists allow extra time for their journeys or consider using alternative routes during these works.

The planned dates and duration may change for various reasons including the current coronavirus situation and adverse weather conditions, with any changes signposted on site and notified locally.

The most up to date information on these works, together with a map, can be found here: https://one.network/?tm=121689980

The Kent County Council Highway Helpline phone number is 03000 418181 – please ask for Road & Footway Asset Team.

From Kent Highways: It will be necessary to close Coolinge Lane, Folkestone from 6th April 2021 for up to 2 days.

The road will be closed between the junctions of Sandgate Hill and Bathurst Road.

The alternative route is via Sandgate Hill, Grimston Avenue, Shorncliffe Road and Coolinge Lane.

It is planned that the road will be closed between 09:00 and 16:00 hrs each day.

This is to enable carriageway patching to be carried out by Kent County Council.

It will be necessary to close Seabrook Road, Hythe from 1st April 2021 for up to 1 night.

The road will be closed outside 11 Seabrook Road (near The Bell Inn).

The alternative routes are via:

Mill Road and Station Road.

B2063 Hospital Hill, B2063 West Road, B2063 North Road, B2063 Military Road, B2063 Risborough Lane, B2064 Cheriton High Street, M20, A20 Ashford Road, A261 Hythe Road, A261 London Road, A259 Military Road, A259 Rampart Road and A259 Prospect Road.

A259 Sandgate Esplanade, A259 Sandgate Hill, A259 Sandgate Road, A259 Earls Avenue, B2064 Shorncliffe Road, B2064 Beachborough Road, B2064 Cheriton High Street, M20, A20 Ashford Road, A261 Hythe Road, A261 London Road, A259 Military Road, A259 Rampart Road and A259 Prospect Road.

It is planned that the road will be closed between 19:00 and 23:00 hrs.

This is to enable manhole cover repairs to be carried out by Southern Water.