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The top stories from the KentOnline news team

  1. Podcast: Vespa rider left unconscious in road after hit-and-run at Whitfield roundabout near Dover

    4H AGO

    Podcast: Vespa rider left unconscious in road after hit-and-run at Whitfield roundabout near Dover

    A Dover man involved in a hit-and-run while driving without a licence has avoided being sent to prison . 24 year-old Tyler Keyes from St Radiguns Road was driving his girlfriend's BMW when he collided with a moped at the Whitfield roundabout last June, leaving the rider unconscious. Also in today's podcast, a meeting is taking place at County Hall to discuss KCC's budget for the next financial year. It's Reform UK's first in charge of the authority and leader Linden Kemkaran has previously said the council is focused on delivering savings for residents. Hear from our local democracy reporter Simon Finlay. There's going to be a public meeting later over the regular closure of a busy road in Medway. The Lower Rainham Road, which runs from Gads Hill to Otterham Quay Lane, was shut for 100 days last year. We've been speaking to Gillingham and Rainham MP Naushabah Khan who has organised the event. Employers across Kent are being encouraged to consider taking on an apprentice. The EKC Group is looking for 100 pledges from businesses to consider it in the next 100 days. And, Leigh-Anne has been on our sister radio station kmfm talking about her debut album. The former Little Mix star caught up with Jack on the Hit List ahead of the release of 'My Ego Told Me To' next week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min
  2. Podcast: The underpass near Asda in Ashford that’s flooded so often it’s even got its own Facebook page

    1D AGO

    Podcast: The underpass near Asda in Ashford that’s flooded so often it’s even got its own Facebook page

    A Kent underpass leading to an Asda store is flooded so often it now has its own Facebook page - and council bosses admit there is no fix. The subway in Ashford regularly becomes impassable after heavy rain, leaving pedestrians stranded – you can hear from a KentOnline reporter who went down to take a look for himself.  Also in today's podcast, a young couple have been banned from keeping animals after they effectively left their dog to starve to death. The failed to properly feed their greyhound cross, Rocky, despite being given vouchers by an animal charity to buy dog food. A court has heard one of two men accused of murdering a four-year-old in a high-speed hit-and-run was found by police drunk in bed.  The suspect was arrested at his sister's home in Berkshire two days after the smash in Southfleet – we’ve got audio of the moment he was detained.  Passengers are being warned to prepare for vital works at Kent’s busiest railway junction. During the February half-term, £10million is being poured into track upgrades at Dartford Junction and will affect travel around the county. And the new bosses behind reopening one of Kent’s most historic venues have revealed their plans could see audiences back before the end of the year. That’s the aim for the management team preparing to get Margate’s Winter Gardens open to the public again as part of a multi-million-pound restoration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
  3. Podcast: Driver reportedly attacked by motorist after suffering seizure at the wheel and crashing his car in Gravesend

    2D AGO

    Podcast: Driver reportedly attacked by motorist after suffering seizure at the wheel and crashing his car in Gravesend

    A driver has been treated in hospital after suffering a seizure at the wheel and crashing into a tree, before reportedly being dragged from his vehicle and attacked. Pictures at KentOnline show injuries suffered by Louie Watkins after it happened when he drove along New Barn Road towards Gravesend. Hear from reporter Brad Harper who has been covering the story. Also on today's podcast, a Kent MP's among those supporting the Prime Minister, as he insists he's not going anywhere. Sir Keir Starmer survived a difficult day yesterday after the Lord Mandelson scandal led to calls for his resignation. We have been speaking to East Thanet MP Polly Billington. A leading social media expert in Kent has told us it's essential young people are taught about AI and how to spot fake content online. Safer Internet Day this year is all about how to use the tech responsibly. Hear from consultant Zoe Cairns who is based in Medway. A Dartford dad has been left in intensive care for weeks after undergoing a routine tonsillectomy. Cardiff Dicdican had the procedure at Medway Maritime, but after several bleeding episodes during recovery he went to The Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough. Reporter Charlotte Phillips has been speaking to his wife Jessica. A new exhibition is opening at Rochester Cathedral today aiming to make us think about our human impact on the environment. Three giant whale sculptures have been created using recycled netting, and will be hanging from the nave. And, a village pub has re-opened following a £200,000 renovation. The Five Bells in Lower Halling has been closed for the past five weeks so work can be carried out. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    24 min
  4. Podcast: Residents left frustrated as three roads in Faversham won't get full-fibre broadband from Openreach

    3D AGO

    Podcast: Residents left frustrated as three roads in Faversham won't get full-fibre broadband from Openreach

    A Faversham dad is demanding answers after his street was one of the only ones not to be upgraded to full-fibre broadband. Harry Mustoe-Playfair lives on Beech Close and says he's limited to Fibre to the Cabinet, which is an increasingly outdated technology. The fabric printing business owner and his wife both work from home, making fast and reliable internet essential. Harry's been telling the podcast how he feels left in the dark-ages. Also in today's podcast, people living in shared ownership flats in Tunbridge Wells have been told they'll have to pay thousands of pounds for safety work on their balconies. Residents of the Town and Country Housing properties in Greggs Wood Road claim there's been a lack of consultation over contractors, and only one quote. The MP for Tunbridge Wells hopes a new campaign will stop lorries getting stuck in a village high street. Goudhurst has been used as a cut through for HGVs over the past 15 years, but they often get stuck. Mike Martin has successfully petitioned Satnav companies to change their data so trucks won't use the route, but one or two still take the risk. He's been telling the podcast how we can all get involved. Work is due to start this month to replace a bridge on an historic railway line in Kent. The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells runs over the Broom Lane Bridge, between High Rocks and Groombridge which has corroded. Volunteers are raising more than £400,000 for the installation of the replacement and are staging a fundraiser next month. In sport, Ronan Hale opened his account at Gillingham as they beat Tranmere Rovers. The January signing scored both goals in the 2-1 victory at Priestfield on Saturday - hear from the striker and manager Gareth Ainsworth. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min
  5. Podcast: Drivers forced to ‘swerve’ to avoid ‘dangerous’ potholes amid calls for council to re-tarmac Matts Hill Lane in Hartlip

    6D AGO

    Podcast: Drivers forced to ‘swerve’ to avoid ‘dangerous’ potholes amid calls for council to re-tarmac Matts Hill Lane in Hartlip

    A busy country lane plagued by potholes is damaging cars every day and one woman fears it will affect her business. She’s been documenting the downfall of the stretch in Hartlip, which has left her out of pocket due to damaged tyres. Also in today's podcast, a final report into the deaths of at least 27 asylum seekers in the Channel has found the coastguard at Dover had been placed in an "intolerable position".  Systemic failings have been identified in search and rescue efforts when a small boat overturned in 2021. One of Kent’s historic waterways has 10 times more bacteria than the River Seine in Paris had when Olympic events were postponed because of pollution. For years, residents have complained about the smell in Sittingbourne and now research shared with the KentOnline Podcast shows just how bad the water quality really is.  The boss of a wild cat conservation charity says plans are already underway to rescue a Lynx from war-torn Ukraine. Ursa was found being kept illegally as a pet and she's currently living in a centre in Kyiv, but £100,000 has been raised to bring her to Kent. And in football, they Gillingham boss is expecting this weekend’s visitors to Priestfield to be tough opposition.  The Gills are looking to regain some form with recent defeats leaving them 14th in the table – you can hear from Gareth Ainsworth ahead of kick off tomorrow.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  6. Podcast: Dad, 32, from Broadstairs left paralysed from the neck down following a crash in Hersden near Canterbury

    FEB 5

    Podcast: Dad, 32, from Broadstairs left paralysed from the neck down following a crash in Hersden near Canterbury

    A new study's revealed the scale of anti-social behaviour in Kent. Just over half of people say they've experienced it, in a survey of nearly 5,500 residents. The most common complaints were about rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour, littering and nuisance driving, hear from Kent's police and crime commissioner Matthew Scott. A young dad from Broadstairs has been left paralysed after his car flipped during a crash near Canterbury. Steven Gibbons was driving on the A28 in Hersden when he clipped the kerb last May - it was later discovered he'd severed his spinal cord. Our reporter Millie Bowles has been speaking to Steven's family. We're being told a new 'super-university' confirmed for Kent will provide opportunities for growth and development across the whole county. Contracts have been exchanged over the merger between Greenwich and Kent. Bosses in Medway have announced plans to increase council tax by the maximum amount allowed, in a bid to balance the books. If approved, an average Band D home in the Towns will pay an extra £110 a year. Leisure centre fees are also expected to increase. Firefighters are going to be knocking on doors across Kent from today, to check your smoke alarm is working. Teams will be covering the county this month to test, relocate or install the devices. It's the third year the days of action have taken place. And, a Kent football club is having to fork out thousands of pounds after one of its pitches was vandalised. The grass has been torn up at Larkfield with pictures showing what appear to be tyre tracks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    20 min
  7. Podcast: Ashford abuser jailed for six years after violently beating pregnant partner in Sheppey home

    FEB 4

    Podcast: Ashford abuser jailed for six years after violently beating pregnant partner in Sheppey home

    An Ashford man who left his pregnant girlfriend in what a judge described as the worst example of domestic assault in his 25-year legal career has been jailed. The jealous and paranoid man repeatedly attacked his victim in her Sheppey home after falsely accusing her of cheating on him and carrying another man's child. Also in today’s podcast, two higher education institutions have merged to form a ‘super university’ in a one-of-its-kind move. The University of Greenwich and the University of Kent have announced that they have legally committed to the merger between their two institutions – we’ll unpack what all this means.  It's hoped access to new digital patient records will help address inequalities in mental health care across Kent. Key information about autistic patients or those with learning disabilities can now be stored and accessed at later appointments and by other care providers.  A major project to bring an historic theatre building in Medway back to life is on time and budget. 21 million pounds is being spent on the Brook in Chatham and we’ve spoken to a local councillor about now the project is progressing.  And in football, Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth admitted their defensive blunder in last night’s game was a killer. Notts County beat the Gills 1-0 thanks to a goal in the opening half – you can hear from the boss and from defender Robbie McKenzie.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    21 min
  8. Podcast: Former bartender at Thomas Becket pub in Canterbury to receive thousands in compensation after wage dispute

    FEB 3

    Podcast: Former bartender at Thomas Becket pub in Canterbury to receive thousands in compensation after wage dispute

    A bartender wrongly accused of stealing is to receive thousands in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed following a wage dispute. The 22-year-old is being awarded more than £4,000 after a judge found those running the Thomas Becket pub in Canterbury withheld her pay packet. Also in today’s podcast, the leader of Kent County Council has written to the Home Office to ask for more funding for young asylum-seeking adults who have left care. KCC currently receives no government support for people the authority continues to look after for four years once they have reached the age of 21. The owners of the UK’s most famous scenic railway have been challenged to justify their decision to close the ride before a panel of councillors. Dreamland announced last Tuesday that it was closing the century-old ride at the amusement park in Margate – you can hear from the Mayor of the town who wants them to appear before a scrutiny panel.  Villagers have raised concerns about plans for a new housing estate saying they’re coming “under attack”.  It’s after plans were put forward for the properties at Mountain Farm in Hamstreet.  And in football, you can hear from Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth who is ready to make changes when they return to action this evening. The Gills visit Notts County on the back of a 4-1 humbling by leaders Bromley at Priestfield on Saturday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min
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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