KentOnline

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.

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.

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.

We’re being urged not to travel by train as railway workers get ready for the biggest strike in a generation.
Thousands of staff are walking out for three days this week in a row over pay, conditions and job losses – hear from our business editor Chris Britcher.
Also in today’s podcast, Alex from the Kent Top 40 on our sister radio station kmfm has been speaking about his recent autism and ADHD diagnosis.
The 24 year-old says he was always hyperactive as a child but did well at school.
However, he found social situations in his teens increasingly difficult and also suffered with depression. He’s spoken out to raise awareness.
An Ashford taxi company is closing after more than 40 years after struggling to recruit drivers.
Arrow Taxis is based at Cobbs Wood and been taking fares since 1981 – hear what bosses have had to say.
Asylum seekers who arrive in Kent after crossing the Channel in small boats could be electronically tagged under new Home Office plans.
A 12-month pilot’s begun after the European Court of Human Rights blocked a deportation flight to Rwanda last Tuesday.
A trans woman from Medway has decided to speak out about the abuse she’s suffered – and says people need to realise it’s not acceptable.
Kelsey Russell only transitioned just over three months ago but says she’s been targeted while out in pubs and club.
Part of Ramsgate that’s previously been blighted by crime is said to be becoming a destination for tourists with new cafe’s shops and restaurants.
Harbour Street is being transformed thanks to investment from existing businesses and government grants.
And in sport, a Kent teenager’s been selected to play volleyball for Team England.
Maxime Carolan only started playing a couple of years ago, but has been training hard ever since.

A man who stole an Amazon delivery van after snatching the keys from the driver in Canterbury has been jailed.
Hear the moment 33-year-old Ronnie Mead from Hunton Gardens was arrested while surrounded by half opened parcels.
A Ramsgate woman is calling for more mental health support for disabled children after her son died during lockdown.
Sammy Alban-Stanley had Prada-Willi Syndrome and fell from a cliff in 2020.
His mum Patricia has spoken to the podcast about what she’d like the government to do.
A Kent youth charity’s launching a safe space for young asylum seekers after concerns many are struggling to feel part of society….
Pie Factory Music says the pandemic has made it even harder for them to understand the culture and access support since arriving here.
Should Kent’s grammar schools be phased out? We have reaction to a call from a Labour peer to get rid of them.
It’s another scorcher in Kent – we have more advice on dealing with the hot weather.
And, a former star of The Apprentice is hoping a skate park he’s planning to open in Swanley will help kickstart the regeneration of the recreation ground there.
JD O’Brien has managed to secure £250,000 in funding for the project and has been speaking to our reporter Sean Delaney.

Residents in Whitstable fear there could be a nasty accident because communal decking has gone rotten and become unstable.
Hear from one of the mums who doesn’t want her children playing on it and is calling for something to be done.
Also in today’s podcast, the deputy Prime Minister says the UK could potentially ignore rulings by the European Court of Human Rights – after they stopped a flight carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda.
We’ve been speaking to a refugee charity who say the policy isn’t needed.
A Kent campaigner says the government’s heading in the wrong direction when it comes to tackling air pollution.
And, hear from the Kent man who started collecting rare football shirts during lockdown.

A heat health alert has been issued for Kent as we get our first real blast of summer.
Vulnerable people, including very young children and the elderly, are being urged to take particular care as temperatures rise.
Hear from Kent’s director of public health who’s got advice on how to stay cool.
Also in today’s podcast, we have an update on yesterday’s top story after a flight that was due to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda failed to take off.
A project worker at a homelessness charity in Canterbury has responded to the idea of setting up overdose prevention centres in Kent.
It’s being suggested by a leading academic – we have a reminder of what Professor Alex Stevens said and what Paul Todd from Catching Lives has to say.
A Canterbury woman says she’s been made to feel like a criminal after being wrongly accused of throwing a cigarette butt from her car window.
We’ve got a response from the company employed to crack down on those littering in the city.
We’ve also been speaking to the Kent Community Foundation who’ve launched a major piece of research looking at the impact of the pandemic on Kent.
And find out why there appears to be a bit of a row brewing between Kent and Essex over the future of the masts from a famous bomb ship.

Love them or loathe them? There’s a bit of debate raging about self-checkout tills in supermarkets.
It has been sparked by a decision by Sainsbury’s to increase the number available at their store in Maidstone.
In turn, they have dramatically cut the number of tills where an actual person will serve you.
Find out what shoppers and the supermarket have had to say.
Also in today’s podcast, the first flight taking asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda is due to leave this evening.
Hear from Bridget Chapman from the Kent Refugee Action Network as controversy over the policy continues.
A football club in Kent has become the latest to back a campaign calling for a ban on gambling advertising and sponsorship within the game.
Hear from James Grimes who set up The Big Step after struggling with a gambling addiction for 12 years.
We’ve also been speaking to the chairman of Tonbridge Angels who are supporting his idea.
Plus, find out where in Kent has been named as one of the most insta-worthy days out in the UK.
And we’ve got details on a supermoon to look out for.

The partner of a tree surgeon who died after being crushed at a National Trust property in Kent has described her as ‘a beautiful soul, strong and inspirational’.
Debbie Austin was working to bring down the diseased Ash tree at Ightham Mote near Sevenoaks when it happened last December.
Also in today’s podcast, two legal challenges have been taking place today just hours before the first flight is due to take asylum seekers from the UK to Rwanda.
The controversial policy was announced by the Prime Minister during a visit to Lydd earlier this year.
Hear from Boris Johnson and a charity who are against the idea.
As the price of fuel continues to rise, we’ve been finding out how businesses in Kent are being affected.
According to the RAC, the price of a litre of petrol has risen by a penny a day over the last week.
We’ve spoken to a travel firm based near Dover and a self-employed security officer from Chatham.
An audio trail, which shares the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, has launched in Maidstone. 
The ‘Not a Phase’ tour celebrates real stories through a series of interactive QR codes dotted around the town centre. 
And find out how we could use our gardens to help protect pollinators that are in decline.
We’ve been speaking to a leading expert after a report said populations of flying insects have decreased by 60 percent in the last 20 years.
 

A biker says she was left lying in a road in pain as other motorists passed her by following a crash.
Zara Parr came off her motorbike after a crash on the A249 near Sittingbourne.
She’s now appealing to find the good Samaritans who did finally stop to help.
Also in today’s podcast, a Dartford man with cerebral palsy says aeroplane staff need to be better trained to support disabled passengers.
It’s after a woman who’s paralysed from the neck down had to wait on a plane for more than an hour and a half because no staff came to help her.
A Medway primary school has been rated inadequate by Ofsted, and told funding could be stripped.
Inspectors visited Featherby Juniors in Gillingham last December and raised concerns about children’s ability to read.
It’s feared communities living along the Kent coast may be forced to move because of rising sea levels.
The Environment Agency says flooding and coastal erosion pose the biggest threats to towns and cities.
Hear from a Sheppey man whose neighbour’s house had already collapsed into the sea.
A section of the A249 is going to be closed this weekend as part of major roadworks.
£92 million is being spent on upgrading the Stockbury Roundabout at Junction 5 of the M2, in a bid to ease congestion – we’ve had an update from the project manager.
And, Pride returns to Canterbury this weekend.
Hear from the 13-yera-old schoolboy who’s bringing his drag act back to the main stage.