KentOnline

Podcast: Should there be a limit on the number of second homes and Airbnb’s in Whitstable?

People living in Whitstable have spoken out about the number of second homes and Airbnbs in the town.

It's been ranked the eight most popular town in the UK to own an additional property, but people living there full time, aren't happy.

It comes after Whitby, a similar seaside town but in North Yorkshire, voted to limit the sale of second homes.

Hear what some residents have been telling our reporter Brad Harper.

Also in today's podcast, go-slow protests have been taking place on motorways across the country.

Drivers unhappy with high fuel prices have been taking action - hear from FairFuelUK founder Howard Cox from Cranbrook.

We've also been chatting to the manager of an award-winning pub in Kent who says increasing bills are 'crippling' his business.

Marc Bridgen, owns the Dog at Wingham, and says their utility bills are set to significantly increase in October.

Also on the cost of living crisis, a Medway animal charity says there's been a rise in the number of people giving up their pets because they can't afford to keep them.

Hear from Wisteria Cat Rescue in Walderslade.

We've also got some all important weather news and in sport, we look at what went wrong with Kent's campaign in the T20 Blast this summer.

Plus we have details on the result of Gillingham's first pre-season friendly as they prepare for life in league two.

Podcast: Parents with large buggies call for anti-bike barriers in Sittingbourne to be removed

Parents with buggies designed for twins or triplets are calling for anti-bike barriers in Sittingbourne to be removed.

Mums say they are struggling to walk their children to nursery because they can't fit through the metal railings.

They were installed to stop motorbikes from speeding along footpaths.

Hear what one mum has to say about it.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent travel agent expects disruption to flights to continue for some time.

Hundreds of passengers were left disappointed yesterday when dozens of flights were cancelled at the last minute.

We've been speaking to Chris Scoble from Go Scoble travel agents in Tunbridge Wells and kmfm's Ismail Khwaja whose flight to Turkey last night was cancelled just minutes before take-off.

People living in part of Canterbury say they’ve reached ‘tipping point’ because of rubbish being dumped near their homes.

Residents near Kemsing Gardens say the issue has been going on for more than 15 years - and it's now becoming dangerous.

A Kent charity is marking ten years of providing cold cots for families who have experienced the loss of a baby at birth.

Abigail’s Footsteps was set up by Jo and David Ward, following the death of their daughter, who was stillborn at 41 weeks in 2009.

David has been telling us how important cold cots are.

The Vamps have been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm about their 10 year anniversary.

They're going on a greatest hits tour later this year.

And in sport, find out who Gillingham have signed and why there are calls for table tennis to get more recognition.

Podcast: Men locked up following machete attack in Dartford

Two men who forced their way into a Dartford home and carried out a violent knife attack have been locked up.
A man was left with life-threatening injuries after being repeatedly stabbed at his home on Farnol Road last November.

Trouble broke out in court following the sentencing - hear from our reporter Paul Hooper who was there.
Also in today's podcast, ambitious plans have been revealed to try and stop Chatham Docks from being turned into housing.
Developers want to build more than 3,600 properties on the site in Medway - but local MP Kelly Tolhurst is among those campaigning to keep it open.
Hear from her and the chief executive of one of the companies based there.
We're also joined on the episode by our business editor who has been looking at the state of the jobs market in Kent.
He's been speaking to the boss of Faversham based brewer Shepherd Name as companies across the board struggle to recruit.
We've been speaking to the 19-year-old from Gravesend who is building his home town in Minecraft.
Find out why George Walker has taken on the epic challenge.
In sport, Kent's Emma Raducanu is out of Wimbledon but denies the pressure got to her.
And some of the batonbearers running through Gravesend ahead of the Commonwealth Games have been revealed.

Podcast: Man dies after being hit by lorry on A249 near Sittingbourne

A man has died after being hit by a lorry on the A249 near Sittingbourne.

Emergency crews were called to the southbound carriageway at around midnight.

We have the latest information released by police.

Also in today's podcast, a Kent man has appeared in court charged with murdering a 35-year-old woman in east London.

Zara Aleena, who was a trainee lawyer, suffered serious head injuries in Ilford early on Sunday and later died in hospital.

Hear a tribute from her family.

A record label boss from Chatham who started firing shots from the top of a tower block in Medway has been ordered to stay in hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Our reporter at Maidstone Crown Court has the details.

There's anger that some new build properties in Kent are being snapped up by investors - then rented out at high rates - forcing local people to move elsewhere.

The Perry Court development in Faversham is just one new estate affected and we've found a semi-detached there being offered to rent for £18,000 a month.

Property expert Spencer Fortag has been sharing his views.

A Herne Bay mum whose son died after taking drugs has told the podcast she wants to change the school curriculum to save lives.

Canterbury College student William Horley died four years ago following a reaction to a painkiller that had been bought on the dark web. 

And, Joe from Sigma's been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm about why it's taken them so long to release their second album.

Hope is finally out, more than six years after they released Life.

Podcast: Gravesend postwoman left empty handed despite finding unclaimed £2k

A Gravesend postwoman's been left empty handed after finding more than £2,000 in cash on the street - then being told she can't keep it.

After reporting it to her line manager it was handed in at North Kent Police Station in Northfleet.

Irma Lisauskaite says she was told she could keep the money if it wasn't claimed within a month, but officers later said the rule had changed.

Find out what the rules are and the latest result of our poll.

Also in today's podcast, tougher sentences for people convicted of child cruelty have come into force following a four-year campaign by the adoptive mum of a Kent boy.

Tony's law is inspired by seven-year-old Tony Hudgell from Kings Hill who had to have his legs amputated as a baby after being abused by his birth parents.

Hear from Tony's adoptive mum Paula Hudgell.

The mum of a teenage girl who was hit by a car while crossing a road in Dover is calling for safety improvements.

She's been speaking following and inquest into the death of Mya Lawrence.

A project to get young people off the streets and away from knife crime has been set up by a gym owner in Maidstone.

Jay Atkins had previously tried to get a knife amnesty bin installed where he works, but that was turned down by police over safety fears.

He's been telling the podcast about his latest plans.

A former soldier from Canterbury who was blinded by a bomb in Afghanistan wants to bring veterans together through jiu-jitsu.

Rob Long says the sport helped him rebuild his life and he wants to help others.

In sport, Kent's Emma Raducanu is through to the second round of Wimbledon.

Find out who Gillingham have signed and there's congratulations to the cricket team who've won their first game in 29 years.

Podcast: Homes gutted in huge fire in Jubilee Crescent, Gravesend

A number of homes have been destroyed in a huge fire in Gravesend.

Flames swept through the properties in Jubilee Crescent on Sunday lunchtime.

Our reporter Alex Langridge has been to the scene to see the devastation.

Also in today's podcast, it's feared a business that burnt down on Whitstable Harbour could take two years to reopen.

You might remember the blaze at the fish market and Crab & Winkle Restaurant about a month ago - now the owner has spoken to the podcast.

A Kent GP has welcomed plans to try and reduce the backlog of people waiting for hospital treatment, by sending them for operations further from home.

Anyone who's been waiting over two years for a procedure will be matched-up with hospitals out of their area.

Hear the thoughts of Dr Jack Jacobs who works in Ham Street near Ashford.

A family from Dover are hoping to raise £6,000 pounds for a new bespoke wheelchair for their son.

8-year-old Henry has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a progressive condition which causes muscle weakness and degeneration.

We've been speaking to his mum and the boss of a foundation that's offering to match donations.

Hear about the Dover man who's become a record breaker.

And, Kent's Emma Raducanu is in action at Wimbledon as the tournament gets under way at SW19.

Podcast: Man beaten up as love triangle turns violent

In today's podcast, a man's been sent to prison after a love triangle turned violent in the street.

Also, a busy road near Maidstone has been closed after a gas main fire. Our reporter is at the scene.

Trains across Kent have been severely disrupted again today as a knock-on effect from yesterday's rail strikes.

A Dartford woman's revealed how a brain tumour left her unable to cry and with no sense of taste or smell.

Inspectors have found staff shortages have had a big impact on care services across Kent and Medway. We hear from the Care Quality Commission.

Plus, showbiz news from Westlife and Nina Nesbitt.

Podcast: Businesses in Gravesend fear for their futures as road closure remains in place following fire

Businesses in part of Gravesend say they could go bankrupt if a road closure following a large fire isn't lifted soon.
Milton Road has been shut since May 26 when a fire ripped through a former pub.
Our reporter Alex Langridge has been speaking to people who have premises in the area.
Also in today's podcast, it's the second day of a series of rail strikes.
The RMT union, who've organised the walkouts, says the threat of compulsory redundancies is the main sticking point in talks between them and Network Rail.
We've been finding out how businesses near railway stations in the county are being affected.
The way detectives investigated the death of a Kent man who was murdered by serial killer Stephen Port is going to be reinvestigated by the police watchdog.
Kent Fire and Rescue have told the KentOnline Podcast they're having to work with really young children to stop them committing arson.
The FireSetters Intervention team say they've been helping kids as young as three.
In sport, it's the day Gillingham fans have been waiting for - the fixtures for next season are out.
Our Gillingham reporter Luke Cawdell tells us how life in league two will start for the Gills.

Podcast: Huge sinkhole opens up on Martens Avenue in Bexleyheath

A large sinkhole has opened up on a road in Bexleyheath.
Hear from our reporter at the scene and a man who lives there and heard it happen late last night.
Also in today's podcast, a report's found leadership at the ambulance trust that covers Kent is 'inadequate'.
Inspectors carried out an unannounced visit to SECAmb in February, and raised concerns about inappropriate sexualised behaviour, bullying and harassment.
Hear from the Care Quality Commission.
We've been speaking to Southeastern bosses as talks continue to try and resolve the dispute that's led to this week's rail strikes.
Thousands of workers across Kent and the rest of the country walked out yesterday in a row over pay, conditions and job losses with further industrial action planned for tomorrow and Saturday.
The former Debenhams store on Chatham High Street has been bought for more than £2 million - and could be turned into housing.
Medway Council have purchased the building using money from the government's Future High Streets Fund.
A drag artist who's the face of the very first Tonbridge pride hopes it'll continue to raise awareness of the LGBTQ+ community.
Brandon Austin went viral on socials after doing a 'death drop' dance move during his college graduation.
He's now better known as Sophia Stardust and has been speaking to reporter Laoise Gallagher.
In sport, the Gillingham squad has returned to training ahead of the new season which will see them playing in league two.
And find out which athletes are getting funding as they bid for a place at this summer's Commonwealth games.

Podcast: Former reception teacher at Tiger Primary school in Maidstone banned from the profession

The biggest rail strike in a generation is under way.
Very few services in running in Kent today as member of the RMT Union walk out in a row over pay and job security.

Hear from our reporter who managed to get on the first train out of Ashford this morning. We also chatted to passengers, plus we have reaction from Southeastern and our travel news provider on how its impacted the roads.
Also in today's podcast, a former Kent reception teacher who banged a pupil's head on a door frame while dragging them out of a classroom, has been banned from the profession.
CCTV also showed Corinne Culver lifting and carrying the girl at Tiger Primary in Maidstone, while other staff complained about her holding another pupil in the air by her wrist.
We have a statement from the school's headteacher.
A Kent driving instructor is predicting a growing demand from people who want to learn in electric cars.
There's a big push for people to make the switch as part of plans to tackle climate change - and the sale of new petrol and disel cars is going to be banned by 2030.
A Kent travel expert's been working on a new guide to help us make informed decisions about ethical destinations and trips.
The Good Trip Index ranks countries based on things like sustainability, women's rights, quality of life and animal welfare.
Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland are considered the most responsible, but Morocco and Egypt are among popular holiday spots ranked the worst.
In sport, find out which former Gillingham player has been named as the new manager of Swindon Town.
Plus Kent's cricketers are back in T20 Blast action tonight.