KentOnline

Our top story today is about a youth jail in Kent which inspectors say is still not safe enough.
They found high levels of violence at Cookham Wood in Rochester when they visited last September – a report into that visit has just been published.
Also in today’s podcast: why spit kits have been given to bus drivers in part of Kent, how a removable barrier planned for Kent has been a success in New Zealand for decades and the Gills look to extend their unbeaten run.

This week, political editor Paul Francis and Oliver Kemp discuss the Cabinet reshuffle in Westminster, Kent County Council’s newfound commitment to social care and the return of Operation Brock.
They also try get their heads around the ‘Ebacc’ education point system, with middling results.

There’s a new idea to try and keep traffic flowing in Kent if there’s ever cross-channel disruption.
You might know that a system called Operation Stack has been used in the past which sees lorries queued on the M20 – then Brock came in ahead of Brexit which used a contraflow system instead.
Now, the government’s said it’s going to be using a moveable concrete barrier.
Also in today’s episode – flood alerts remain in place across Kent following Storm Dennis and the Gills make it lucky 13 as their unbeaten run in league one continues.

Batten down the hatches – Storm Dennis is on the way.Weather warnings for strong winds and heavy rain are in place across the weekend – with what could be torrential downpours expected on Sunday.Also in today’s podcast – a trampoline park in Tonbridge could be forced to close, Louis Tomlinson chats about his debut album and Gillingham look to continue their unbeaten run.

In today’s podcast:
A public inquiry is not going to be held in maternity services at East Kent Hospitals – but there will be an independent NHS review.
Concerns have been raised about a number of potentially preventable baby deaths, after a coroner ruled the death of Harry Richford a week after he was born at the QEQM in Margate in 2017 was ‘wholly avoidable’.
Find out how much council tax we’re going to be paying in Kent next year.
And, dozens of schools across Kent have been honoured at the Green School Awards for looking after the environment.

They’ve previously installed a crazy golf course and hosted a sculpture made of thousands of knives, now a giant replica of the moon has moved into Rochester Cathedral.
Just like the other attractions, the seven metre-wide globe is designed to attract more people to visit the historic building.
Also in the podcast – Kent born Cheetahs take their first steps in the wild and why the Gillingham boss wants to kiss every supporter who made the epic trip to Blackpool last night.

Detectives have launched an attempted murder investigation after a man in his 40s was shot in Shorne near Gravesend.
Armed police and paramedics were called to Shorne Ifield Road on Sunday night, and the victim’s in a London hospital with serious injuries.
Also in today’s episode: find out which parts of Kent have the highest diabetes rates, and why bosses in Medway are having to defend plans for a new hotel.
www.kentonline.co.uk 

The effects of Storm Ciara are still being felt across Kent, as strong winds continue.Heavy rain and gusts of more than 90 mph caused travel chaos yesterday – and there’s more disruption today with another weather warning and flood alerts in force.Also in today’s episode: find out why inspectors have praised a Kent prison, hear from a historian who helped create the Oscar winning film 1917, and listen to the Gillingham manager’s reaction to the weekend’s game.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

The MP for Dover says French authorities need to be doing more to stop migrants illegally crossing the English Channel.It’s after 90 men, women and children arrived in Kent yesterday – which is thought to be the highest number ever in a single day.Also in today’s episode: an amber weather warning is in force as Storm Ciara approaches Kent, find out how much extra council tax you’ll be paying to fund police, Anne-Marie tells us fan stories as she releases her new single ‘Birthday’, and we look ahead to Gillingham’s game against Burton Albion this weekend.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/

A man’s appeared in court charged with murdering a 44 year-old man near Gravesend.The victim was stabbed to death at a property on Hamerton Road in Northfleet in the early hours of Tuesday.Also in today’s episode: Find out how many burglaries went unsolved in Kent last year, and why thousands of vehicles are going to be diverted through a village over half term.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/