KentOnline

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A young security guard who was seriously injured by a “wild” patient in a hospital ward fears she may never return to her job.

Lou Wicks was attacked by an intoxicated man as she and her colleagues tried to restrain him in the emergency department of Maidstone Hospital.

Also in today’s podcast, a young man allegedly murdered on his 25th birthday has been described as a “beloved son” whose “memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him”.

Robert Else was discovered with injuries consistent with stab wounds at a house in Eythorne last Thursday – one man has been arrested and charged. 

A family from Snodland say all their possessions and memories have been lost, after a devastating fire at their home.

The blaze broke out in the property on Gassons Road a week ago – you can hear from dad Adam who says they’ve had to throw everything away even their son’s toys. 

Campaigners near Gravesend say it's vital a stretch of greenbelt isn't lost to housing - as plans emerge for a new estate.

Developers say they want to build 154 properties on agricultural land in Istead Rise – so far, more than 1,300 people have objected. 

And in football, Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth admitted he let rip at half-time after a first-half horror show against Bromley on Saturday.

He was fuming with his side’s poor defending as the League 2 leaders raced into a 3-0 lead within 28 minutes at Priestfield before going on to complete a 4-1 victory.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A murder investigation is continuing following the death of a 25-year-old man near Dover.

Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Rose Gardens in Eythorne yesterday morning and a man in his 60s who knew the victim has been arrested. Hear from our reporter who has been at the scene.

Also in today's podcast, business owners in Dover say the town's reputation is still suffering, 10 years after an immigration protest turned into a riot.

Stones, bottles and bricks were thrown when far-right activists clashed with counter-demonstrators on this day in 2016.

Our reporter Sam Lennon has been in the town to speak to people about their memories of the day and the lasting impact they think it has had.

The Mayor of Margate is calling for Dreamland bosses to appear before a scrutiny committee after they decided to permanently close the Scenic Railway.

It's the oldest rollercoaster in the UK - and the fourth oldest in the world.

Reporter Gerry Warren has also been catching up with a man who used to work on the famous ride.

In sport, it's a big game for Gillingham this weekend as the league leaders head to Priestfield.

Bromley are six points clear at the top while the Gills are looking to make it three wins in a row after rediscovering some form.

And, money is being made available to young people in Medway to help them get more involved in sport.

Grants of £100 are going to be handed out to help them buy kit or equipment.

It's the brain child of the Laurence Plummer foundation which was set up to support underprivileged children in the Town's.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Just weeks after thousands of homes in Tunbridge Wells were left without water, it's been revealed how much bills will be going up by.

From April, customers of under-fire South East Water will have to pay £21 more following a 7% hike.

The town's MP says residents are 'paying the price for years of underinvestment', while the company say it'll fund improvements including a new reservoir. We've got reaction from the chief executive of the business improvement district in Tunbridge Wells.

Also in today's podcast, a Sheppey family fear their son won't have a suitable school place in September, after education bosses refused to assess his special needs.

Raie was diagnosed with autism when he was three, and his parents want him to get an education, health and care plan before he leaves Queenborough nursery. Hear from mum Natalie Jacobs who has been speaking to reporter Joe Crossley.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told the probation service covering Kent is still significantly understaffed, but improvements are starting to be made in keeping the public safe.

Inspectors have been looking at how inmates are dealt with after they leave jail - for the first time since a damning report in 2024. Hear from Martin Jones who is the chief inspector of probation.

A Kent MP has been been telling us how important it is for everyone to eat more locally produced food in 2026.

Sir Roger Gale, who represents Herne Bay and Sandwich, says crucial farmland is being lost to housing.

And in sport, Gillingham have finally completed a deal to sign international striker Ronan Hale.

The 27-year-old is joining for an undisclosed fee from Scottish Championship side Ross County.

He's previously played for Northern Ireland and scored 18 goals for his club last season.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.