A belated Happy New Year to all our Parishioners.
A big Thank You to all those who attended the Christmas Lights Event at the beginning of December, and to those Councillors and others that assisted with the event and the installation and removal of the Tree & Lights. Thanks also to Dover Sound Waves Choir for their wonderful Christmas Songs at the Village Hall.
The Parish Council held it's first meeting of 2026 on 20 January at which the major issue for discussion was whether to support other nearby Parish Councils, District Councillors and local MP, Mike Tapp in seeking a ban on vehicles over 7.5 tonnes using Alkham Road (from Kearsney to Hawkinge) and also Lower Road & High Street in Temple Ewell.
Separate requests from Temple Ewell & Alkham Parish Councils were both refused by Kent County Council Highways in 2025, however with stronger backing including our MP, hopefully there will be a better chance of restricting the use of these narrow roads by HGV's.
Hopefully (weather permitting), by the time you are reading this article, the potholes in the Car Park at the top of Church Hill will have been repaired as well as the one at the junction of Mill Street and High Street.
I am also pleased to advise that we have had some success getting abandoned vehicles removed from London Road, and also Dragon Wood Car Park. At present, a damaged vehicle parked opposite the Alkham Road junction is being monitored and updates provided to the Police.
The Parish Council is seeking funding to enable our major project of the coming year to be completed ion the summer; this involves refurbishing part of the area near to the playground at King George's Playing Field. We also have a new contractor for the maintenance of the playing field in 2026 which will hopefully improve the regularity & quality of the maintenance of both the playing field and playground area.
Dr. Michael Parks
Chairman
Temple Ewell Parish Council