Local News

Arriva Kent bus drivers have announced another 13 days of walk-outs which will affect services across the county later this month and in to next month.

Drivers have already walked out on two days in September and on Thursday (6th October) and Friday (7th October) last week and Monday (10th October) and Tuesday (11th October) this week. 600 members of the Unite Union, based at Arriva Kent depots in Northfleet, Gillingham (our local depot), Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, voted by a 96.5% margin to take further industrial action.

The dates of the latest strikes will be three days from Wednesday 19th until Friday 21st October, followed by five consecutive days from Monday 24th until Friday 28th October and a further five consecutive days from Monday 7th until Friday 11th November and will affect routes in Sittingbourne.

Sharon Graham, the Unite union's General Secretary told SFM News: "Arriva could avoid the disruption by meeting workers' demands" saying the company, which is ultimately owned by the German state-run company Deutsche Bahn, "could afford it".

An Arriva spokesman told SFM News: "We have put forward a significant pay offer for our employees, which recognises the great work that they do and reflects the unprecedented cost-of-living challenge facing the region. We recognise that the strikes will mean upheaval for our customers and communities through this ongoing industrial action in the region and we urge the union to ballot on our pay offer as soon as possible."

A sinking boat was spared from going under thanks to the expertise of officers from Kent Police’s Search and Marine Unit.

Two members of the public were on board the 40-foot motor cruiser when a faulty pump caused it to start flooding near Queenborough Harbour, Sheppey, at around 4pm on Wednesday (27th September) afternoon.

Officers from the Search and Marine Unit were patrolling the River Medway on the Kent Police vessel Invicta when they were made aware of the problem by HM Coastguard, and arrived at the location shortly afterwards.

They carried out a check of the electronic pumping system and quickly identified what was wrong before helping to slow the flood and get the broken pump working again. They were then joined by volunteers from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) who used a petrol salvage pump to remove the excess water and ensure those on board could reach dry land safely.

Acting Sergeant Sam Milton of the Search and Marine Unit told SFM News: "During our inspection of the vessel’s essential equipment we found it to have one defective electronic pump and no manual pump. The fact it started to sink because of this should serve as a reminder to all boat-owners to ensure their vessels are in a seaworthy condition before being taken onto the water. Fortunately on this occasion we were able to work with our partners at HM Coastguard and the RNLI to ensure those on board were safe and that their boat was not consigned to the riverbed."

A suspected burglar has been charged after a newsagents was targeted in Trafalgar Parade, Sheerness.

Kent Police were alerted to the burglary at around midnight on Wednesday (21st September). Two men were seen attempting to break into a cash machine next to the shop, before the shop was then targeted. The front door was damaged and a quantity of cigarettes were among the items which have been reported stolen.

Officers attended the area and located a vehicle, which reportedly failed to stop and was pursued along the A249 Sheppey Way towards Iwade. It eventually came to a stop in Ledger Close, Sittingbourne where a man was arrested. The van was identified as a stolen vehicle and officers found a quantity of suspected stolen cigarettes inside.

Mark Steed-Shadbolt, aged 31 and of Latona Road in Peckham, South East London, has been charged with burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Medway Magistrates’ Court today (Friday 23rd September).

Enquiries remain ongoing to locate a second suspect. He is described as a white male who was wearing a black Adidas hooded top. Anyone who has information is asked to call Kent Police on 01795 419119 quoting reference 46/184590/22. You can also call Crimestoppers FREE and anonymously on 0800 555 111, or you can complete an online form on their website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Cllr Simon Clark, Mayor of the Borough of Swale, told SFM News:

“It is with enormous sadness that we learned of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and I would like to express our sincere condolences on behalf of Swale Borough Council and the people of the Borough of Swale to the entire Royal Family.

“The Queen was known across the world for her strong sense of duty and commitment to serving the country and the Commonwealth.

“Her Platinum Jubilee showed the respect and admiration we had for her tireless work, and as we mourn her passing we must reflect on how fortunate we have been to live through her reign.”

As a mark of respect, flags are being flown at half-mast across all council buildings.

Books of Condolence are being opened at Swale House, Faversham Town Council Offices and Sheppey Gateway to allow local people to pay their respects from 10am to 4pm weekdays and 10am to 12 midday on Saturdays.

Floral tributes will be laid at the war memorials in Sittingbourne, Sheerness and Faversham.

Also, as a mark of respect, Civic and council events and meeting have been cancelled until after the funeral.