KentOnline

A man who has slept rough in Maidstone for the past four years says the town has become unsafe.

A man in his 50s has died following a crash on the M20.

He was driving an Audi which collided with two other vehicles on the London bound stretch yesterday evening.

It meant the motorway had to be shut for more than 14 hours.

Also in today's podcast, it's been confirmed, nurses in Kent and Medway will be part of national strikes for the first time in the New Year.

The Royal College of Nursing says there'll be new walkouts at hospitals across much of England on the 18th and 19th January.

Hear from a former nurse at East Kent Hospitals Trust.

We're being warned to expect disruption on Kent's roads over the next couple of days, as millions of people travel for Christmas.

The AA's issued an amber traffic warning, with particular concern for motorways like the M25 and M20.

We speak to Toby Howe from the Kent Resilience Forum, which plans for events like this.

A man who almost died after contracting TB while living on the streets in Canterbury is going to feature in a new three-part documentary.

Nick Chamberlain's told us he kept going to A&E because he was feeling so unwell, but struggled to get treatment.

He was being filmed by Joe Spence who was doing a PhD at the University of Kent -  he covered Nick's story for five years and helped him get live-saving treatment.

Elsewhere, a homelessness charity has told the KentOnline Podcast, they fear more people will be out on the streets in the New Year because of the cost of living crisis.

Figures from Maidstone Homeless Care show the number of people in need of food parcels has reached more than 300 a month.

And, a Kent historian's been giving us her predictions for what will feature in the King's Speech this weekend.

It's the first time he'll deliver the special Christmas message since becoming monarch.

People living on a housing estate near Ashford say roadworks are making life a "living hell".

A major junction upgrade started on the A2070 in May, to give better access to the Finberry development.

Residents have been telling us that traffic's becoming a nightmare.

Elsewhere, work's continuing to restore water to thousands of homes and businesses in and around Tunbridge Wells, after more than a week of disruption.

The arctic blast and then sudden rise in temperatures caused a number of pipes to burst.

A pub owner's told the KentOnline Podcast they're losing money at what should be their busiest time of the year.

And, a Kent homelessness charity's criticised the county council for cutting their funding just as demand soars...

Porchlight will miss out on £2.5m, which could mean they have to scale back support for people at risk of ending up on the streets.

We've been speaking to Jo Dawes who's their head of fundraising.

It's been revealed someone walked into an accident and emergency department in Kent every 23 seconds in November.

The number of people waiting more than 12 hours to be admitted to a ward has also risen.

In the three months from September, it was more than 4,000 patients - compared to just over 500 during the same period last year.

It comes as the government's urging us not to take unnecessary risks today, as thousands of ambulance staff go out on strike.

Paramedics and call handlers here in Kent are among those walking out in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The army's been drafted in to help out as NHS leaders warn they cannot guarantee the safety of patients.

We spoke to Murray Robinson from the GMB union - who was out on the picket line at Medway Ambulance Station.

Our other top stories, and investigations are underway following the death of a man in Sittingbourne.

The victim was found with stab wounds at a property off College Road in the early hours of this morning.

The future of one of Medway's oldest pubs is uncertain after the landlord announced he was calling time on New Year's Eve.

John Brice has run The King George 5th in Brompton for the past 20 years - he's been telling us why he's decided to shut.

The MP for Dartford's described an expansion of London's Ultra Low Emission Zone to the border of Kent as 'the most unfair, undemocratic form of taxation this country has ever seen'.

From next August, motorists using older vehicles will have to pay a charge to drive into all 33 of the capital's boroughs.

It's part of efforts to cut air pollution.

But during a debate in Westminster Hall, Gareth Johnson said it would be financially damaging for residents and the economy, and accused Mayor Sadiq Khan of just trying to make money.

And, in football, Gillingham have been knocked out of the Carabao Cup after losing 2-0 to Premier League side Wolves in the fourth round.

Gills manager Neil Harris spoke to us after the match.

A dad-of-five is still unconscious in hospital nine days after falling down the stairs at his home in Walmer near Deal.

Simon Norton was taken to Ashford's William Harvey hospital after being discovered by his wife.

Hear from reporter Liane Castle who has been speaking to Katie about what happened.

Also in today's podcast, a Tunbridge Wells mum says she's completely changed her Christmas plans because she can't guarantee having any running water.

Supplies in the west of the county have been disrupted for the past week - hear from Grace Ockwell and find out what South East Water have had to say.

Train drivers at 15 rail companies, including Southeastern, are to stage another strike early in the New Year. 

Members of the Aslef union are to walk out on January, 5 in a row over pay. 

With families due to spend more time together over Christmas, those in Ashford are being told where to turn if there's a dispute.

Tensions within families and between neighbours and groups of young people have increased in recent years.

We've been speaking to David Jonker from Ashford Mediation Service which is launching the next phase of their Keep Ashford Talking programme.

The owner of a tea rooms on Sheppey has been told to remove tables he's put up outside to display Christmas decorations.

Swale council say Stephen Jackson doesn't have a licence to have a seating area on the pavement.

And, Gillingham face Wolves in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Gills will be hoping to cause another upset, after beating fellow Premier League side Brentford in the last round.

Ahead of the Christmas getaway, the AA has issued a rare amber traffic warning.

They are particularly concerned about the M25 and M20 in Kent.

Also in today's podcast, the High Court has ruled government plans to deport asylum seekers who've crossed the Channel to Kent in small boats to Rwanda are lawful.

Find out what the Dover MP has said and also hear from a refugee charity.

People living in Margate say they feel scared to walk through a local park at night, because of faulty lighting.

It comes after the recent attack and sexual assault of a teenage girl in Dane Park - and other reports of robbery and vandalism.

It's feared the cost of living crisis could see some of us turn to unsafe electrical items in a bid to keep warm.

The warning comes after an Edenbridge man needed oxygen when he forgot to turn off an electric blanket which started smouldering and giving off toxic smoke.

Hear from Leanne McMahon from Kent Fire and Rescue Service.

New data has revealed council bosses in Canterbury have made nearly 45-million pounds from parking charges over the last five years.

That's by far the highest amount of income generated across the whole of the county.

And, we've spent the past two weeks delivering the thousands of gifts you donated to the Give a Gift appeal on our sister radio station kmfm.

The toys and games have been taken to charities, hospitals and children in care this Christmas.

There's been major disruption on the roads after the sudden closure of the Medway Tunnel.

Engineers have been working to fix the problem but drivers are having to use alternative routes leading to long delays.

Hear from one driver who got stuck in the congestion.

Also in today's podcast, a search in the Channel has been called off, more than 40 hours after a boat carrying asylum seekers capsized.

Four people died and 39 were rescued from the icy waters near Dungeness.

A teenager's been told to expect a long prison sentence after admitting killing a father in an attack outside a Maidstone pub.

Andrew Looseley died in hospital a few days after being punched in the head near the Hare and Hounds in Lower Boxley Road in August.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told how more and more professionals are turning to a foodbank in Kent for help this Christmas.

The Trussell Trust runs the Deal Area Foodbank which opened 10 years ago - hear from their project co-ordinator.

Kent's first so-called eco-hotel has opened on the site of a former language school in Folkestone.

The building in Cheriton Place had sat empty for two years before Emma Howitt and her business partner took it on. Emma has been speaking to our reporter Chantal Weller.

And, Gillingham's game this weekend has been called off because of a frozen pitch at Stockport County.

Meantime, boss Neil Harris has been chatting about Elkan Baggott's decision not to take up the chance to play some international football.

A young man has suffered 'life-changing injuries' after being stabbed at a nightclub in Medway.

A second man was also hurt at Coyotes in Chatham in the early hours of Sunday.

Hear a statement from police which reveals two people have been arrested.

Also in today's podcast, just a day after it was revealed a fourth boy has died after falling into a frozen lake near Birmingham, a Folkestone woman says she was shocked to see children trying to walk on a frozen pond.

Amanda De Feo saw the boys testing the ice at Radnor Park in the town.

A French charity's revealed it was sent a voice message begging for help just before a boat carrying asylum seekers capsized in the Channel.

Four people died when it happened off the coast of Dungeness yesterday morning.

A man who maintains an area of woodland near Canterbury says he can't believe he's been told to tear down the building he uses as an office.

There are six structures on the site in Adisham and council bosses have decided they're in breach of planning regulations.

The KentOnline Podcast has been told the housing market in Kent is looking positive heading into 2023 - despite national reports of falling property prices.

They dropped by 2.3% in November, the third monthly fall in a row.

Hear from expert Spencer Fortag from Dockside property services in Medway.

And, more of the gifts you donated to the Give a Gift appeal on kmfm have been delivered to charities in Kent.

We received thousands of toys and games which'll be given to children in time for the big day. Hear from a charity and hospital that have been taking delivery of the presents.

Four people have been confirmed to have died after a boat carrying asylum seekers capsized in the Channel.

More than 40 people who were on the vessel have been rescued alive.

Hear from the Home Secretary who has given a statement in the Commons. We've also been getting reaction from some of Kent's MP and charities that work with asylum seekers.

Also in today's podcast, a coroner's confirmed a dad-of-three died in Strood after being crushed by a lorry.

An inquest's opened into the death of 44-year-old Andy Millward who was killed when his car was hit by the vehicle which overturned on Station Road last month.

The mum of an autistic boy from north Kent says some of the community's most vulnerable children are at risk of being left behind.

It comes after the parents of another teenager with autism say he took his own life after being bullied and then let down by social services.

A Herne Bay couple could be forced to spend Christmas in an Airbnb after their flat was flooded with sewage.

Frances and Tony's home on Central Parade has been left badly damaged and presents for friends and family were also destroyed.

A search is under way for a mystery man who's delivered Christmas cards with money in to people in Chatham.

Residents on Larkspur Road have received £5 each with a note saying it's to help with heating bills.

More of the presents you generously donated to the Give a Gift appeal on our sister radio station kmfm have been delivered to children in Kent.

The presents are going to charities, hospitals and those in care this festive time.

A woman has been taken to hospital following a crash on an icy road in Ashford.

Police and ambulance crews were called at about 6.30am.

It comes as we're reminded to take extra care while out and about because of the freezing conditions.

Hear from a forecaster at the Met Office on what's in store for the rest of the week and whether we might have a white Christmas.

Also in today's podcast, the first in a series of rail strikes in Kent over Christmas and New Year is under way.

There'll be serious disruption between now and January 7 as members of the RMT union walkout or refuse to do overtime.

Hear from Southeaster, Network Rail and the general secretary of the RMT.

More safe and legal routes are going to be set up for people wanting to seek asylum in the UK.

The Prime Minister's been speaking in the Commons about how the Government plans to tackle the issue of small boats crossing the Channel to Kent.

A small business owner says she's going to have to bring in security after a thief ran off with a load of jewellery during the Westgate Christmas lights switch on.

Two busts full of necklaces were taken from Bling and Rocks.

We've been catching up with a Dartford teenager who is set to take on a cycling marathon in a bid raise funds for research into Alzheimer's.

Piper Monk is aiming to use a static bike to complete the challenge in under three hours at her school, Wilmington Academy.

A Kent nature reserve has been named as a champion site for one of the UK's rarest bumblebees.

Victory Wood near Whitstable was bought by the Woodland Trust in 2004, and has since become a haven for wildlife.

And, congratulations to Olivia Coleman who has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in a new movie filmed in Kent.