awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Controversial plans to transfer the Medway Tunnel to council ownership has moved a step closer.
The Rochester Bridge Trust published its transfer proposals in The London Gazette today, Thursday.
The Bridgewardens confirmed they will make a payment of £3,648,000 to the council if the transfer goes ahead. This will pay for modernising the computers and CCTV cameras controlling tunnel safety.
The notice gives people an opportunity to comment on the proposal by July 21.
It is expected to complete the transfer shortly afterwards if no major objections are received.
The council is then hoping to persuade the government to take on responsibility for maintaining the tunnel as a major roadway.
However, the Minister for the South East, Jonathan Shaw, also MP for Chatham and Aylesford, has been running a local campaign against the transfer.
He has collected more than 700 signatures
The tunnel is one of only three on major roads which are not funded by the government. It says the road is not a major road.
It was built in the 1990s to encourage the regeneration of Medway, and in particular to open up Chatham Maritime.
It was funded by Kent County Council, the historic bridge trust and the former Rochester upon Medway council.
The trust has provided crossing over the Medway since the late 1300s. It says it was not the main source of funds for the tunnel.
It has a duty to maintain both the Rochester road bridges which, uniquely, it will have to replace in the next 90 years.

Dr Anne Logan, the new Senior Bridge Warden, said: "To make management of the tunnel less bureaucratic, Medway Council has asked us to transfer ownership of the Tunnel to them.
"We've agreed to this in principle, provided the transfer meets Charity Commission guidelines, but we want local residents to let us know if there is anything else we should consider before this proposal is confirmed."
Council highways chief Cllr Phil Filmer (Con) was unavailable for comment.