Medway isn't ready for the EV future
Plus celebrating Medway women in STEM, our first food review, our weekly event listings, and more
Editor’s note: As noted in our Tuesday briefing earlier in the week, we’ve tweaked our publishing schedule, so this Friday edition is a little different to usual. Tuesday is now our main news briefing edition, and this Friday edition is a little more balanced between news, culture, and lifestyle content. This new schedule means we can bring you the big stories on both Tuesday and Friday, instead of waiting a full week, while also allowing some slightly more freeform content we couldn’t usually fit in.
As such, today’s edition features news about Medway’s failure to prepare for the electric vehicle future, a guest excerpt by Michi Masumi celebrating women working in STEM in Medway, our first food review, our weekly event listings, a preview of this Sunday’s interview with legendary Medway musician Bob Collins, and lots more.
The Tuesday news briefing email is free to all subscribers, as is this one for now, but we’ll see how that goes as the format evolves. We do try to keep as much of our work as possible available for free, and our paid supporters help us to do that. If you value our work and would like to help make a new way of delivering local journalism sustainable, please hit the orange button below to support us.
Medway is not ready for the EV future
Last year, the government pushed back a ban on new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035. While this means fossil fuel cars will be with us longer than originally planned, we are moving to a world of zero-emission vehicles. While this is undoubtedly sound for the environment, questions do remain about just how ready infrastructure across the country will be for the change.
After all, while vehicle battery capacities and charging technologies are constantly improving, it still takes longer to charge an electric vehicle than it does to refill a petrol or diesel one. As a result, the way we keep moving is inevitably changing. It will no longer be feasible to just roll in and out of a petrol station, and instead, chargers need to be strategically placed where people can park for longer periods.
Over time, this will mean chargers being installed across public car parks and along our streets. With the target of 22% of new car sales being electric this year, rising to 52% by 2028, we’re going to need a lot of chargers.
So how is Medway doing with that?
Not particularly well, it turns out.
The government intends for there to be at least 300,000 public charging points in the UK by 2030, which would represent roughly 1 point for every 225 people. Taking that same figure for Medway would see our towns needing around 1,250 chargers.
Right now, we have 111, based on data published by the House of Commons. Admittedly, 2030 is still six years away, but six years isn’t that long.
The news gets worse too. Of those 111 chargers in Medway, only 9 are classified as ‘rapid’ chargers. Rapid chargers are the only chargers you’d practically want to use if you didn’t want to spend hours waiting for your car to charge, making the challenge all the more stark.
Medway performs particularly badly when compared with our neighbours. Medway has 40 chargers per 100,000 people, with only 3 of those being rapid chargers. Across the region, the average is 63 chargers per 100,000 people, with 15 of those being rapid chargers. Even those numbers seem low, but Medway is well behind the curve here.
What isn’t behind the curve though is the take-up of electric vehicles in our towns. Electric vehicles registered in Medway jumped by 136% in the most recent two years of data. This level of growth is in line with the wider region, making it more problematic how few chargers we have to facilitate them.
For now, it can be argued that this isn’t a huge problem because the majority of charging is done at home. Which is fine when electric cars are so expensive that the majority of people charging them have large houses and can install their own chargers. But as mass take up looms, we need provision to serve people in flats or those who have to park their car on the street each night.
So far, there is little sign of Medway Council rising to meet this challenge. In 2020/21, under their climate change brief, they held a review of charging points and where they might be positioned in the future. Four years on, their website now says this:
We're exploring the demand for electric vehicle charging points across Medway. This will help us to plan charging locations and help us to demonstrate the local need when applying for funding.
Some things never change. Very literally in Medway’s case.
In brief
🚗 Residents living within one of the new School Streets schemes are being rejected for an exemption permit. This leaves them with the prospect of being fined for driving to their house. The scheme is set to go live on Monday, and it seems inevitable some problems are going to follow.
🚧 The Frindsbury Hill road closure also begins next week, with the busy road remaining shut until June. Brace yourselves.
🏥 A new dementia ward has opened at Maidstone Hospital, replacing one that closed at Medway Hospital. While the ward offers notably better facilities, patients will have to travel further to receive care.
🎸 Downtown Festival, one of a series of one-day events to replace the Rochester Castle Concerts, will be headlined by the Kaiser Chiefs. Tickets cost £57.60 and the lineup will supposedly feature ‘the best in indie rock and Britpop’.
Honouring the women of STEM in Medway
On International Women’s Day, we’re delighted to publish a preview of an interview and photo series by photographer, artist, poet, and designer Michi Masumi celebrating the diversity and inspiration of women working within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the University of Kent’s Medway campus.
In recognition of International Women's Month, the spotlight shines brightly on the vibrant community of women in STEM at the University of Kent, Medway. Seven remarkable individuals, representing diverse backgrounds and fields of expertise, have come together to share their stories of resilience, triumph, and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
A Trailblazer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Dr. Alison Edwards, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the Medway School of Pharmacy, embodies a relentless passion for chemistry and education. From her formative years under the guidance of mentor Mr. Bruce to her current role as a multifaceted professional balancing teaching, research, and motherhood, Dr. Edwards' journey serves as a beacon of inspiration. Despite the challenges of finding female role models and navigating work-life balance, she thrives, fueled by a supportive network and a commitment to mentorship and equality.
A Global Perspective in Scientific Research
Makurata Zaninka's journey from Africa to the University of Kent exemplifies resilience and ambition in the face of adversity. Undeterred by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zaninka remains steadfast in her pursuit of scientific research aimed at addressing healthcare disparities in Africa. Her story underscores the transformative power of supportive academic environments and mentorship, highlighting the invaluable role of networking in propelling women in STEM forward.
Pioneering Research in Genetics and Stem Cell Biology
Dr. Fani Papagiannouli's career traverses continents, spanning Greece, Germany, and the United States, as she delves into the intricate world of cellular functions. Her groundbreaking research in genetics and stem cell biology underscores the importance of curiosity, resilience, and mentorship in navigating the complexities of STEM. Dr. Papagiannouli's journey serves as a testament to the transformative impact of passion and perseverance in the pursuit of scientific discovery.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists
Dr. Sadaf Ashraf's narrative epitomizes resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Overcoming gender bias and discrimination through hard work and unwavering support, she emerges as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring scientists. Dr. Ashraf's commitment to mentorship and networking underscores the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive environments where women in STEM can thrive and excel.
These stories of passion, resilience, and achievement offer a poignant reminder of the invaluable contributions of women in STEM. Beyond advancing the frontiers of scientific knowledge, these trailblazers are breaking down barriers, fostering inclusivity, and paving the way for future generations of women in STEM to succeed. As we celebrate their remarkable accomplishments, let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting gender diversity and equity in STEM fields, ensuring that the hallowed halls of academia remain accessible and welcoming to all who dare to dream and innovate.
Michi Masumi is a photographer, artist, poet, designer, and a PhD student investigating ‘The Future of Culture, Politics, and Activism: Black Aesthetics and Intersectionality within British Art, and the impact of AI and Algorithmic Bias on the curation and presentation of Black British Art.’ The full interview and photo series will be available on her website later in the month.
Out to lunch: Sushi Moto & Bento in Chatham
In which Steven Keevil assesses the lunch options available in our towns. This week he’s been to Sushi Moto & Bento in Chatham…
This relatively new Japanese café on Chatham High Street is one of only a few outlets offering Japanese cuisine in Medway. The walls are lined with items to emphasise that theme. The tables are small due to the nature of the space, and the comfort of the chairs encourages you to finish your meal quickly.
There is a minimal drink offering to accompany the food. Lunch consisted of katsu chicken and rice, and a starter of pork gyozas. The freshly cooked gyozas arrived after the main but were tasty. The main was a good portion of food and also had some shredded cabbage. The katsu sauce was flavoursome, but not enough for the portion of chicken and rice. The chicken was crisply coated and tasted good, but once eaten, there was a lot of rice that remained uneaten.
It is a positive that our towns are getting these offerings, and we would recommend if you are on Chatham High Street and looking for something different to the usual fast food outlets.
Events this week
🛍️ The Rochester City Vintage & Artisan Market is back for its first market of the year tomorrow (9 Mar). Stalls along Rochester High Street will be selling a selection of gifts and unique items between 10am and 3.30pm. Free.
🎺 The City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra are performing at the Central Theatre in Chatham tomorrow night (9 Mar). This concert features a programme of music from the Romantic era, including Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Schumann. Tickets from £11.
🪕 Saturday (9 Mar) is when everything is happening, with Medway Little Theatre hosting an LP launch for Medway music legend Billy Childish. Childish will be performing with his Chatham Singers and Singing Loins groups, with additional poetry recitations from Wolf Howard, Bill Lewis, and Billy himself. Tickets £25.
More Authority
Our paid supporters receive extra editions of Local Authority every week, including our in-depth interviews with local figures. This Sunday we’ll be publishing an interview with legendary Medway musician Bob Collins, who played in the seminal 80s band The Dentists and still plays in active bands to this day.
An excerpt from the interview is below, and paid supporters will receive the full thing on Sunday:
What has been the biggest improvement to Medway music in the last 25 years?
It ebbs and flows. (pauses) I don't know. It's more of a kind of continual good things happen, bad things happen, things start up, things stop. (pauses) There's so much talent around here. I can feel myself going into a lecture here. There are some constants about Medway. One is we don't have a semi-big venue most towns even smaller than us have. I was interested to see what Stuart said about this. There are lots of gigs in Medway and there are lots of grassroots gigs and there were lots of small places to play. And some of those places are brilliant and do great things. But they're all of a certain size. They're all very small. And what Medway has never had is that venue that is permanent, that can host 100 to 200 people with a stage, with an inbuilt PA. We've never had that.Why is that?
The reason they exist anywhere is because key individuals with enough money just do them and no one has happened to do it in Medway. I'm sure someone could do it, just like anyone could do it in any town, but there's a weirdness about Medway's geography and its position because it's a huge conurbation but it doesn't have the kudos of if it was a single city. It's got enough people in it to have its own self-sustaining DIY music scene that exists in it, as opposed to little towns that don't, but it's too close to London to be a massive draw to anyone else. London's the draw, Medway is just in London's hinterland, It hasn't got a hinterland of its own. I think it's something to do with that. It's probably something to do with the docks and the kind of industrial heritage of Medway as well.
It's very weird to be a conurbation of the size we are and yet no one famous has come from Medway. I'm going to clarify that by saying a few people have, but very few. I was trying to work this out a year or two ago. People from Medway who have had chart hits and I got to 1968 and one of the guys from Wang Chung was from Gillingham, and I think that’s it. Even cities that are like a quarter the size of Medway must have more famous people. There must be something about Medway. We are our own little ecosystem. If Medway is known for anything it is people who didn't make it but had a massive influence beyond their actual success of the time. It is endlessly weird to think about. But the other thing about Medway, when I first started going to gigs it was The Milkshakes and The Prisoners down the MIC, I didn't really appreciate how really unusual that was to have this little micro-culture of that kind of band and the kind of people that went to see them. I just thought that must happen everywhere and it didn't and doesn't. And I think there's other weird unique things about Medway. I don't know if other places are like this, but the fusing of the arts, like a number of people who do music and painting and poetry. So much of that is like the same people, and even if it's not the same people they're part of the same kind of artistic community and that's kind of probably unusual, isn't it?
Footnotes
Thanks for reading! A quick reminder that our publishing schedule has now changed, in case you’re thinking this edition was a little light on news. The main weekly news briefing now comes out on Tuesdays, alongside this new Friday edition that edges more toward culture and lifestyle to set you up for the weekend. We’re still finalising the formats of both editions, so please stick with us while we do.
Because it’s my newsletter and I can do what I want in the footnotes, I’m going to throw in a plug for my friend Emma Falconer’s upcoming book. Emma is an illustrator and writer originally from Medway who has spent a lot of time travelling and is now releasing a travelogue collection of essays from her time spent across Europe. It looks great and you should take a look if it sounds like something that might be your sort of thing. More details here.
Music that soundtracked the creation of this edition: Future or No Future by Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her, Dream Wife by Dream Wife, and Jump Rope Gazers by The Beths.
Maybe, another time when you do something like the EV chargers section, the context could be a neighbouring authority rather than South East Region. It might be more meaningful to compare with Maidstone, for example, if not all the neighbouring authorities in Kent (Gravesham, Tonbridge and Malling, Maidstone, Swale).