Podcast: Dog walker nearly crushed by falling tree reported as “dangerous” years ago

A Medway dog walker has described their “pure shock” after part of a huge tree hit him when it came tumbling down onto a road during a storm.

The horse chestnut had already been reported to council by residents as “dangerous” years ago but nothing had been done. 

Also in today’s podcast, the top floor of a closed town centre car park could be torn off in a last-ditch effort to reopen the site.

Council bosses are doing what they can to get the 300-space site in Ashford back up and running after stalactites formed on the ceiling. 

Kent Police are reminding us there’s no excuse for speeding, as figures show more than 76-thousand offences were recorded in the county last year.

Officers have been telling the KentOnline Podcast about some of the reasons people give for going too fast – including being late to a child’s parents evening and needing the toilet.

Hear from a Sittingbourne father who says he was left numb by grief after losing his dad, grandad, 10-day-old son and cousin in just a few years.

He’s sharing his story in the hope of inspiring others to “let it out” and heal after he struggled to deal with his emotions.

And, a young woman from Maidstone has become landlady of the pub where she grew up.

The 22-year-old is taking over from her parents who are retiring today after 25 years behind the bar.