Podcast: Folkestone’s historic Leas Lift a step closer to reopening as council approves repairs and renovations

An historic seafront lift is a step closer to reopening after plans to carry out repairs and renovations were approved.

The Leas Lift in Folkestone closed in 2017  because of issues with the braking system. Hear from a trustee of the charity that’s been campaigning to bring it back into use.

Also in today’s podcast, we’re being warned the longest strike by junior doctors in the history of the NHS will have a significant impact on services in Kent.

They walked out at 7am and won’t return to work until the same time next Tuesday. Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks has been telling the podcast why it is happening.

The new man in charge in Medway says the towns are being ‘Levelled down’ after £170 million of funding was pulled.

The government cash was due to be spent on infrastructure for thousands of new homes planned for the Hoo Peninsula. We’ve been speaking to council leader Vince Maple.

Elsewhere, protesters have gathered outside County Hall in Maidstone as they fight plans to close some of Kent’s rubbish tips.

Recycling centres in Maidstone, Faversham, Dartford and Richborough are at risk as the county council looks to save money.

As a major heatwave sweeps Europe, the boss of a leading Kent garden centre has been revealing how they’re trying to adapt to climate change.

Last month was the warmest June on record and temperatures in the UK hit highs of 40c last year – the hottest ever. Reporter Alex Langridge has been speaking to Tammy Woodhouse who is the managing director of Millbrook Garden Company in Gravesend and Staplehurst.

In sport, hear from the Gillingham boss following their 1-0 win over Como in their pre-season friendly.

And we’ve got details of results for England’s women cricketers in the Ashes, and Kent’s players in the county championship.