Local News

Officers investigating a serious collision in Sittingbourne are appealing for witnesses.

The incident happened in Staplehurst Road at about 3.45pm on Friday (18th November) afternoon.

A four-year-old boy was taken to a London hospital after the car he was travelling in - a silver Citroen Xsara Picasso - was involved in a collision with a brick wall.

His condition is currently described as serious but stable.

Two other children in the car were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

A 32-year-old woman from Sittingbourne was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving while unfit through alcohol. She has since been released on bail pending further enquiries until Sunday 11th December.

Detective Sergeant Scott Lynch, of Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit, told SFM News: "The incident happened on a busy a section of road at a time of day when people would have been coming home from school or work. Can I please ask that anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the car in the moments leading up to it, to call us on 01622 798538 quoting reference MM/AH/221/16. Alternatively thay can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk."

Swale Borough Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals to borrow up to £28 million to acquire the leisure and big box retail development in Sittingbourne and fund some of the specific works relating to the regeneration project, at a full meeting next Wednesday (9th November).

The Council, in a Press Release, stated: "as the grants received from central government are being removed, [we] the council is working on ways to become self-financing by finding new sources of income. For many local authorities this means investing in property in their local area and in Kent this is already happening in Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway, Ashford and Sevenoaks. Historic low interest rates mean that the council is able to access cheap borrowing to invest in the scheme, and independent expert financial advice suggests a substantial financial return would be achieved".

Cllr Duncan Dewar-Whalley, cabinet member for finance at the council, told SFM News: "This is a great opportunity for the council to kick start our strategy of becoming financially self-sufficient and at the same be investing in the regeneration of Sittingbourne. We have worked long and hard for this moment which will hugely increase the leisure and retail offering to the residents of the whole borough making an excellent financial return that will benefit our borough for many years to come."

As well as investing in the cinema, hotel, restaurant and big box retail developments, the council would also fund £2.2m of essential highways work from reserves to reduce the up-front cost of the project.

The £500,000 of demolition costs for the Princes Street Depot site - which would need to be demolished anyway - will also be underwritten by the council, with the costs then be repaid using South East Local Enterprise Partnership funding.

Swale Borough Council's Cabinet Report on the proposals is available by clicking here.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) dealt with a fire involving approximately 300 tonnes of baled hay in Matts Hill Road, Hartlip earlier today (Wednesday 26th October).

Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier were sent to the scene. Fire crews used two main jets and a hose reel to prevent the fire spreading to surrounding shrubbery.

Kent County Council's (KCC) Trading Standards Department are advising Galaxy Note 7 owners to turn off their smartphones following fire safety concerns.

The smartphone was recalled last month and owners were issued replacement phones, however there are still reports of batteries catching fire. As a result Samsung has announced it is ceasing all production of Galaxy Note 7's.

Customers with the original phone or a replacement should turn off the power immediately and contact the retailer where they purchased the device for a refund or an exchange.

Please visit the Samsung website for guidance and contact information:- http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/