KentOnline

KentOnline
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The top stories from the KentOnline news team

  1. 18 hr ago

    Podcast: Plans to "significantly reduce" the need for Operation Brock on the M20 with new holding area at the Port of Dover

    There are plans to reduce the need for Operation Brock on the M20 by turning a long-disused cargo terminal at the Port of Dover into a holding area.  In what could be good news for drivers, Kent County Council says reconfiguring the Eastern Docks will create increased queuing capacity for the equivalent of more than 500 lorries. Also in today’s podcast, drought has been declared across all of Kent as another heat health alert comes into force.  You can hear from one local leader on what this means for the county and how they’re dealing with the challenges.  Plans to bring a dozen “pods” for homeless people as part of a £4 million project have taken a step forward. The 12 self-contained units, which include some with balconies, at a former commuter car park in Blue Bell Hill, near Chatham, are being built after being given the green light earlier this year.  A mum who paid cash for her share of a new-build home says she feels “trapped” amid ongoing parking problems and dust from neighbouring construction projects wreaking havoc. She moved to Ebbsfleet Garden City in the hope of a greener and cleaner life for her and her three-year-old son but has been faced with an “insane” reality.  And to help British troops prepare for what they could face on the battlefield, the Army practises mass casualty scenarios using trained actors from recruited from job centres in Kent.  They use realistic makeup to represent injuries – you can hear from two people who take part.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Plans to "significantly reduce" the need for Operation Brock on the M20 with new holding area at the Port of Dover

  2. 1 day ago

    Podcast: Wildfires and water disruption as Kent braces for fifth heatwave of the summer

    Wildfires have broken out in Kent and residents have been experiencing more disruption to their water supply, as we get ready for the fifth heatwave of the summer. A yellow heat health alert is in force across the county, which will be upgraded to amber from 9am Tuesday. In today's episode, hear from a man who witnessed flames spreading towards a farmer's fields on the Isle of Grain and reports of bottled water being stolen from people's doorsteps during an outage. The boss of South East Water has also issued an apology to customers following a weekend of supply issues. It comes amid growing calls for water companies to have a legal say in new housing developments to make sure they can keep up with demand. Politicians from all different parties have joined forces to try and get the planning process changed. A Kent man has been awarded compensation after two years of being chased by debt collectors over a parking dispute. John Waters was issued with a fine after the ticket he bought was issued with only the last four details of his vehicle registration. He has been giving other drivers tips on how to pursue a claim if the same thing happens to them. In football, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has been reacting to their defeat to Luton Town in the Carabao Cup. It was their first game of the new season, with their league two campaign due to get underway later this week. And in cricket, Kent still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages of the One Day Cup. They beat group leaders Leicestershire Foxes at Beckenham yesterday, after captain Daniel Bell-Drummond scored a massive 133 runs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Wildfires and water disruption as Kent braces for fifth heatwave of the summer

  3. 4 days ago

    Podcast: Medway boss rejects claims of "secret deal" to use redevelopment for asylum seekers and London boroughs

    Local bosses in Medway have hit back at claims that new town centre flats will be homes for asylum seekers or bought by London councils. Rumours have been circulating around the refurbished Mountbatten House in Chatham which is due for completion later this summer.  Also in today’s podcast, plans to shut fire stations and cut jobs across Kent have been overwhelmingly rejected by councillors. Members of the governing body threw out proposals to radically shake up the way the service is run – you can hear from the Fire Brigades Union who have called it a win for the community.  A mum who became a paraplegic overnight says there is not enough mental health support for those living with spinal cord injuries. Ruth Bateup from East Peckham went into hospital for spinal decompression surgery in April but woke up unable to walk. We've spoken to one of the organisations in Kent to benefit from kmfm’s Tonnes of Tins campaign.  12.8-tonnes of food has been delivered to foodbanks and charitable organisations across the county to help those who are struggling.  And in football, you can hear from the Gillingham manager who says they’re aiming big ahead of their first game of the season.  It's a Carbao Cup tie against Luton Town at Priestfield tomorrow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Medway boss rejects claims of "secret deal" to use redevelopment for asylum seekers and London boroughs

  4. 5 days ago

    Podcast: Medway Maritime Hospital staff "pulling pints" to cover costs as bosses hike parking charges

    Staff at Kent's biggest hospital say they’re having to pick up shifts in pubs following a decision by bosses to raise parking fees by 60 percent. Changes came into force at Medway Maritime at the start of the month – you can hear from a 19-year-old student midwife on how it’s impacted her.  Also in today’s podcast, fire bosses from Kent and Medway are meeting today to discuss plans to make cuts to services, just days after a noisy protest outside County Hall drew hundreds of supporters.  It comes as fire crews have dealt with a number of blazes as the hot and dry weather continues.  A violent abuser threatened to "annihilate" his girlfriend before suffocating her with a duvet after she threw him out. The 29-year-old held a quilt over her face as she struggled for breath inside her Herne Bay flat, only stopping when she bit his hand hard enough to draw blood. We’ve spoken to a conservation group who have told us what's at stake, if an ancient Kent woodland is used as a quarry.  It’s after proposals to mine sand, gravel and stone from around one-hundred acres of Oaken Wood, near Aylesford, gathered more than 20,000 letters of objection.  And, an all-female relay team are raising money for a drowning prevention charity, by swimming from Dover to France. They're taking on the challenge, 100 years after the first woman successfully swam the Channel.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Medway Maritime Hospital staff "pulling pints" to cover costs as bosses hike parking charges

  5. 6 days ago

    Podcast: Kent family's plea for "the truth" after son dies following 12-year coma

    The family of a man left in a coma for more than a decade after being restrained at a party are pleading for answers following his death. Denby Collins was left critically ill after five people held him down after he entered a home in Gillingham 12 years ago – you can hear from his father.  Also in today’s podcast, firefighters from across Kent have staged a noisy protest against proposed cuts to services. Around 300 people blew horns and waved flags during the mass show of strength, over plans to slash part-time “on-call” crew members and shut stations to divert resources to daytime cover. We're told there are unanswered questions about a contamination issue in north Kent which has been highlighted in a government report. The planning inspectorate has rejected a major development in Ebbsfleet – lead pollution is one of the concerns mentioned. You can hear from one of Medway's MPs who says she believes the new Prime Minister won't have to make any u-turns on his promises. In the first couple of weeks of the job, Andy Burnham's pledged to end rough sleeping, reform education and look to overhaul social care. And from changing nappies to serving cappuccinos - two Kent nursery owners have swapped playrooms for pastries as they officially open their first coffee shop together. We’ve spoken to the bosses of the new Little Market Cafe in Leybourne after years of dreaming about running a food and drink venture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Kent family's plea for "the truth" after son dies following 12-year coma

  6. 4 Aug

    Podcast: Judge "ruins summer" of men involved in shocking brawl outside flats near Aldi in Cliftonville in Margate

    ​Two men embroiled in a street fight involving a woman being knocked unconscious and the brandishing of a golf club have had their summer "ruined" by a six-week tagged curfew. A judge told pair, who were on opposing sides of a brawl, that while their friends enjoyed their evenings over the coming days, they would have to stay indoors reflecting on their shameful behaviour. Also in today’s podcast, one of the worst cases of fly-tipping a council says it’s ever seen has resulted in the culprit walking away from court with a suspended sentence — leaving the authorities to foot the whopping £150,000 clean up bill. The suspect was hauled before the courts in June after being caught dumping and burning waste on an “industrial scale” and now local bosses are calling for the courts to be tougher on those convicted.  Bosses at Canterbury Foodbank have been telling the KentOnline Podcast how the summer holidays have led to a huge rise in demand from families who are struggling to get by.  Kent County Council has been criticised for scrapping a scheme that previously gave children on free school meals a 10-pound voucher every week over the holidays. A tenant who left his damp-ridden council home for the sake of his health has been left stunned after receiving a repair bill almost a year later. You can hear from chronically ill Nathan Baintree who’s been told he need to pay more than £600.  And a breast cancer patient who found there was “no air to breathe” in the “unbearably hot” chemotherapy unit where she receives treatment has raised more than £1,000 to buy fans. Ania Joyles from New Ash Green has been attending chemo sessions at Darent Valley Hospital for months but says it became increasingly uncomfortable over the last few weeks as there is no air conditioning. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Judge "ruins summer" of men involved in shocking brawl outside flats near Aldi in Cliftonville in Margate

  7. 3 Aug

    Podcast: Walderslade teenager fell onto live track at Strood Railway Station in tragic accident

    An inquest has heard a “charming and determined” teenager tragically fell onto a live railway line and died after a weekend of partying with his friends. The 18-year-old was intoxicated when he got off the train at Strood before stumbling to the exit and falling onto the tracks in March.  Also in today’s podcast, water is being restored to thousands of homes after a burst pipe damaged a large water main over the weekend. More than 2,000 households in Tonbridge have been without supplies since Saturday – you can hear from the local MP.  People forced out of a tower block after fire safety fears sparked a mass evacuation have been told they need to continue paying service charges for an empty building. Miller Heights residents’ nightmare began in May after a power outage, due to an electrical fault in the basement, led to a prohibition order and the flats being deemed unsafe. Campervanners say a council needs to invest more in a seafront parking spot to make it worth paying £15 a night. Exactly a year ago today, fees were introduced to stay overnight at the Shingle Bank off Marine Parade, Minster, on Sheppey. Previously, people could park there for free. And in cricket, you can hear from Kent’s Chris Benjamin who says he was delighted to help his side over the line against Notts Outlaws.  A five-wicket success at Beckenham made it three wins out of five for Kent in the One Day Cup ahead of a trip to Surrey on Wednesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Walderslade teenager fell onto live track at Strood Railway Station in tragic accident

  8. 31 Jul

    Podcast: Flats without parking planned for Sittingbourne, Ebbsfleet stadium project rejected and plans to close planning loophole in Maidstone

    We're starting today's episode with development news as there are plans to build 115 flats in Sittingbourne - without a single car parking space. An application's been submitted for land off Fountain Street, near the town's railway station. Elsewhere, plans to build a new football stadium and 3,500 homes in north Kent have been rejected. The £40 million development was put forward by Ebbsfleet United. And, bosses in Maidstone are going to try and stop developers from being able to convert office blocks into flats. It's after a prohibition notice was issued and residents forced to move out of Miller Heights in the town when a flood in the basement affected the electrics. Also in today's podcast, business leaders in Kent are calling for local government reorganisation to be delivered without delay, to limit the impact on the economy. Our current 14 councils are going to be scrapped and replaced with four bigger unitary authorities. The deadline is 2028 - but it's feared the process could be held up as some are unhappy with the boundary choice. Ahead of the new football season, a grassroots club in Kent has praised the work of it's volunteers to keep it running. It's thought around 1 in 5 children in Faversham has a connection to Faversham Strike Force. They've recently been highly commended in the club of the year category at the Kent FA awards and are looking to expand. And finally, the new Next at Bluewater has officially opened. The store has moved into the vacant House of Fraser which closed at the end of 2024. It's the chain's biggest shop in the UK and includes an in-store Costa coffee. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Podcast: Flats without parking planned for Sittingbourne, Ebbsfleet stadium project rejected and plans to close planning loophole in Maidstone
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The top stories from the KentOnline news team

Information

  • Creator
    KentOnline
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    KentOnline

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