News

Did you know Shorne Parish Council provides and maintains two automated external defibrillators (AEDs), one at the entrance to the Village Hall, and one at the entrance to Michael Gardens park? The AEDs are simple and self-explanatory to use, they actually speak to you to tell you what to do.  No training is necessary, but it is worthwhile familiarising yourself with what to do in an emergency.  There is an excellent 8-minute familiarisation video on You Tube which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5ZPLXdXPBc.  The key aspects of using the AED start 1 minute 30 seconds into the video. AEDs are only for use if the patient is unconscious and suffering from cardiac arrest – they are not for patients who are suffering from a heart attack and feeling very unwell.  The most urgent and important action to take for someone who is unconscious and suffering from cardiac arrest is to apply CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation.  This should be carried out immediately, while someone else goes to call for an ambulance and to fetch the AED. Because the AEDs are kept outdoors so that they are available 24 hours a day, they are kept in a locked, heated cabinet.  This ensures that they are safe and secure, and they are there when they are needed.  The 999 emergency responder will tell you the code to unlock the cabinet. Let’s hope that they are never needed.

Parish Councillors attended and took part in the Gravesham Joint Transport Board meeting at the Civic Centre on 29th May 2024, when the situation at Shorne Crossroads was discussed by Members and Officers of Kent County Council and Gravesham Borough Council.  KCC is currently planning new signage as a result of their Crash Remedial Measures review which they had already instigated before the tragic fatality in February, and will now be engaging consultants to advise on further measures. We made it clear that the proposed new signage does not go far enough, and we are looking for speed limit reductions as well as traffic signals to make it safer for pedestrians and drivers alike. There was support for action from Kent and Gravesham Councillors from both parties – but we must remember that they do not have the power to make a decision, that is for KCC as the Highways Authority.  And money will be a factor – any major changes will cost many thousands of pounds.  But it was agreed that the consultants will liaise with the Parish Council on this matter, and this will remain on the JTB agenda for future updates and progress reports. Papers discussed at the meeting can be found here:  https://democracy.gravesham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=109&MId=9242&Ver=4