Local News

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses after a 51 year old Sittingbourne motorcyclist died on the A2 London Road in Bapchild on Sunday (6th September).

Kent Police told SFM News that a blue and silver Suzuki motorbike was travelling along the A2 in the direction of Teynham when it was involved in a collision with a silver Volkswagen Jetta at the junction with Hempstead Lane just after 10am. Emergency services, including Kent Air Ambulance attended but the biker died at the scene.

His next of kin have been informed. Officers would like to speak to anyone who saw the collision, or who saw either the motorbike or the car beforehand. Witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are asked to contact the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538 or to email them on sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk.

Sittingbourne's newly cleaned War Memorial has finally been unveiled from it's scaffolding shroud.

Co-operative Funeralcare donated their local Monumental Mason, Steve Stechfield (pictured above,) to do the clean on behalf of Swale Borough Council at no cost.

Nuala O'Donoghue (also pictured above), the Community Liaison Organiser at the Co-operative Funeralcare, told SFM News that the "Co-operative Funeralcare increased the number of Masons working on the project to three which meant that the clean was completed in just four days".

She also went on to add "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Swale Borough Council and members of the local community for their support throughout. The Royal British Legion is really pleased with the finished result. The support and interest from the public has been incredible and we are just so pleased to have been able to do this."

Sittingbourne Fire crews are at the scene of a fire involving approximately 30 tonnes of baled hay this afternoon.

Three fire engines and a bulk water carrier have been sent to deal with the fire along with an all terrain vehicle (ATV). The ATV is an eight wheeled vehicle which can get firefighters and equipment to remote areas that would be difficult for a fire engine to reach.

Local traffic is not be affected by the incident.

The speed limit on the Sheppey Crossing was lowered from 70mph to 50mph from 10.00am this morning (Wednesday 22nd July).

The "emergency" speed cut follows a pre-inquest review in to the deaths of Deborah Roberts and her 8-year-old son Marshall on the crossing last July.

Mid Kent and Medway Coroner, Patricia Harding wrote to Highways England urging them to take immediate action.

The inquest itself has yet to take place, but the design of the bridge, visibility and braking distance are expected to be discussed as the cause of death is further investigated.

"Safety is Highways England's top priority", said a spokesperson, "We are fully supporting the inquest. The coroner in the pre-inquest hearing has recommended urgent action. In the interim, before the full inquest has taken place, Highways England has taken the decision to introduce a temporary speed limit on the basis that we need to assess whether such a measure would improve safety."

The speed limit is in place in both directions on the A249 between the junction with the B2005 (Grovehurst/Iwade) and the Neats Court roundabout.

MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Gordon Henderson, has tentatively shown his support for the reform telling SFM News "I am delighted they're doing something, but I want to speak to the Transport Minister to see what other measures might be considered as well".

However, others are sceptical the change in speed limit will improve safety on the crossing. Deborah Roberts's sister, Emma Tweed, feels the speed limit will only be effective if it is enforced. "There needs to be average speed cameras because otherwise drivers won't stick to it when they don't stick to the 70mph limit now."

In September 2013, a 130-vehicle pile-up injured 60 people on the crossing and became one of the largest crashes in British history. It was ruled that foggy weather and speed were to blame.