A Minute Silence for Ian Killbery

Published: 29 September 2021

At the Full Council meeting last night (Tuesday 28 September), Councillors held a minute silence for Ian Killbery.

Ian was a dedicated Deal Town Councillor for many years, working to improve the lives of residents. More recently he was a valuable co-opted member of the Transport & Infrastructure Committee. 

Cllr Chris Turner, the Mayor of Deal said, “Ian was an enthusiastic campaigner for the high-speed service to Deal and Sandwich. His rallying cry of “all day and all week” has become again as relevant now as it was when Ian first uttered it.

His knowledge of local transport issues was the reason the Deal Town Council Transport and Infrastructure Committee was keen to co-opt him again in 2019. His contributions were always valued by that group.

Councillors remember him with affection and respect for the contributions he made to the life of Deal.” 

Cllr Ben Bano, a long time Labour colleague of Ian’s added “it is sad news that former Councillor and activist Ian Killbery has died. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.” 

As well as campaigning for better rail services and the development of the station into an accessible sustainable transport hub, Ian was Chair of the Dover District Cycle Forum and sat on the Spokes East Kent Cycle Campaign Committee. Ian was instrumental in creating the Skylark Trail – an alternative quiet cycle route between Deal & Dover – following the tragic killing of 18 year old cyclist Daniel Squire on the Dover Road.

Ian also recognised the degradation of Beach Street by inappropriate traffic and pushed the Town Council to fund improvements at the Royal Hotel pinch point. This work along with the restoration of High Speed train services and improvements to the station remain priorities for the Town Council.