Local News

M2 Works - Chestnut Street & Maidstone Road Closure

M2 Works - Chestnut Street & Maidstone Road Closure

From 1am on Monday (24th April) Highways England will be closing the section of Maidstone Road that links to the Stockbury roundabout, south of Wormdale Hill.

They have confirmed that: "while we're working on the new link to Oad Street, there will be no access to the roundabout from Maidstone Road. We’re currently due to open the new link on Monday 19th June 2023".

To access the properties and businesses on Chestnut Street and Maidstone Road, motorists will now have to use the Key Street roundabout and, due to the closure, the Arriva 334 bus service will not be able to use Danaway or Chestnut Street. It will instead operate on the A249 between the Stockbury Roundabout and Key Street.

Highways England, working with Kent County Council will now be offering FREE travel on the Kent Karrier community shopper bus service, for those residents affected, they say "to ensure there is still accessible transport around the village".

If you are a resident living on the bus route and would like to make use of the offer please go to: https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/travelling-around-kent/communit.... You will need to provide proof of address and a photograph when applying.

There will also be changes to how drivers use the Stockbury roundabout. They have now moved traffic heading southbound on the A249 from the Stockbury roundabout onto the new Oad Street link road while we carry out work on the main carriageway, as shown in the above picture. There’s currently no right turn from the Oad Street junction on to the northbound A249 and to join the northbound carriageway, drivers will need to turn left, go to M20 junction 7 and the return on the A249 northbound.

You can find out more information on the M2 Junction 5 improvement works by clicking: https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/south-east/m2-junction-5-improv....

 

SFC Ladies Take The FA Kent Plate

SFC Ladies Take The FA Kent Plate

To top a fantastic week for Sittingbourne Football Club and Brickies fans, with the Men's First Team attaining 12 wins in a row and a win in their final home match of the season on Tuesday (18th April) evening, there has been some great news for the Ladies team too.

Sittingbourne Ladies FC took on Sevenoaks Town Ladies FC, at Maidstone's Gallagher Stadium, last night (Thursday 20th April) and won 2-1 to take the Football Association's Kent Women's Plate.

The Kent Women's Plate is the grassroots competition for women’s teams in the county, who play at Tier 7 of the FA Women’s Pyramid of Football and below. This has topped a fantastic season for women's grassroots football in Kent.

For more information please visit their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/sittingbourneladiesfc.

Spate Of Bus Shelter Vandalism Plaguing Sittingbourne

Spate Of Bus Shelter Vandalism Plaguing Sittingbourne

A spate of bus shelter vandalism has caused damage throughout Sittingbourne in the past week.

Earlier this week a bus shelter was vandalised on Milton High Street and overnight (Friday 21st April) a number of bus shelters were attacked at the Sittingbourne Bus Hub, near The Forum Shopping Centre on St Michael's Road, in the centre of town.

It is hoped that the Town Centre CCTV may have captured evidence and a case has been made to the local PCSO in Milton Regis for CCTV cameras to be installed there to prevent further anti-social behavious that has been plaguing the town there..

Kent Police are reminding people that if they see anyone commiting an act of vandalism, and it is in progress, to call 999.

 

Trio Prevail In Sittingbourne 6-A-Side League

Trio Prevail In Sittingbourne 6-A-Side League

The Sittingbourne 6-a-side Monday League saw three teams win their respective divisions in an exciting season of football.

Isle Of Bourne won the Premier League, Stover FC completed an incredible feat of winning every one of their 14 games in division one, and Too Old To Play FC claimed victory in division two.

Isle Of Bourne was the deserving winner of the Premier League, showcasing impressive teamwork and skill. The team’s outstanding performance was a testament to their dedication and hard work, as they overcame fierce competition to clinch the title.

Stover FC’s success in division one was truly remarkable. Winning every game in a league is no easy feat, and the team’s achievement is a testament to their talent and determination. Stover FC’s performance was a joy to watch and a true inspiration to all football enthusiasts.

Too Old To Play FC’s success in division two was equally impressive. Despite their name, the team proved that age is just a number, and they have the skills and passion to excel on the football pitch. Too Old To Play FC’s performance was a great reminder that football is a sport for all ages.

Adam Glover, Area Manager, praised the teams and the venue, and told SFM News: "Congratulations to Isle Of Bourne, Stover FC, and Too Old To Play FC on their fantastic performances. It is great to see such dedication and passion for the sport in our community. The Sittingbourne Community College League provides an excellent venue for local football enthusiasts to come together and enjoy the game they love.”

There is also a league on Sunday nights, but the Monday league resumes after Easter. Teams can join now using this link.

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Snipes Hill Set For Weeks Of Disruption

Snipes Hill Set For Weeks Of Disruption

A major Sittingbourne juncion, on the A2 Canterbury Road at Snipes Hill, is set for weeks of disruption due to telcoms roadworks.

Contractors for City Fibre are installing new super fast broadband infrastructure at the busy junction of Canterbury Road, Murston Road and Rectory Road and one lane is open through the works with 4-way traffic lights controlling the traffic.

The works are expected to last until the end of May and have caused delays, especially during 'peak' hours, of around 10-15 minutes in the area.

Tune in to 106.9 SFM for the latest Traffic & Travel News (with Gents Garage).

 

Vehicles Seized During Multi Agency Operation

Vehicles Seized During Multi Agency Operation

Two lorries have been seized by officers during a multi-agency operation here in Swale.

Officers from Kent Police’s Rural Task Force joined forces with staff from the Environment Agency on the morning of Saturday (25th March) in response to concerns surrounding waste being illegally transported and tipped in Eastchurch.

During the operation police stopped three Scania tipper lorries to check they were road worthy and had the relevant waste licences. While one lorry driver was sent on their way, two other drivers had their vehicles seized.

One lorry was seized after it was stopped in Lower Road, Minster. The driver was handed a Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for driving with an insecure load. The vehicle was also not taxed and did not have a valid MOT.

The second vehicle was stopped in Chestnut Street, Sittingbourne, and was also identified as having no tax before it was seized.

Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw told SFM News: "We work closely with other agencies and carried out this operation following concerns of vehicles being seen in the area which were transporting and tipping out waste illegally. We always listen to concerns from residents and I would urge anyone with similar issues to ensure they are reporting these to the relevant authorities so the appropriate action can be taken."

Prolific Thief Jailed After Assaulting Police

Prolific Thief Jailed After Assaulting Police

A prolific shoplifter, who assaulted three police officers, has been jailed just a day after he was arrested in Sittingbourne.

Albert Ramsden repeatedly stole groceries from a Co-op in Forbes Road, Faversham during a spate of offences between Wednesday 8th March and Sunday 12th March. On Wednesday (15th March) police officers detained Ramsden in Bell Road, Sittingbourne. During the arrest he assaulted three officers, by kicking, elbowing and also attempting to bite the constables.

Ramsden, of Crown Quay Lane, was charged with five thefts and three counts of assault on an emergency worker. He was also charged with five counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order.

The 22-year-old appeared before Medway Magistrates' Court on Thursday (16th March), where he pleaded guilty to all the charges. He was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay compensation costs of £150.

 

Local MP To Stand Down At Next General Election

Local MP To Stand Down At Next General Election

Gordon Henderson, Member of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, has announced he will be standing down at the next General Election.

Mr Henderson made the announcement in a speech at the Sittingbourne and Sheppey Conservative Association Annual General Meeting earlier this eveening (Friday 17th March) in front of members.

Before becoming an MP, Mr Henderson was elected to both Swale Borough Council, where he was twice Deputy Leader, and Kent County Council.

Mr Henderson, who has lived on the Isle of Sheppey for over 40 years, first stood for election as Member of Parliament for Sittingbourne and Sheppey in 2005, when he lost to the Labour Party by just 79 votes. He stood again in 2010 and his hard work in the community over many years was rewarded when he won with a 12,383 majority.

Mr Henderson's majority slightly decreased in 2015 to 12,168, however, it increased again in 2017 to 15,211 and most recently in December 2019, his majority went up to 24,479.

The next General Election has to be held by January 2025, however, it is expected to take place sometime in 2024.

 

Additional Patrols To Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour

Additional Patrols To Tackle Anti-Social Behaviour

There will be an increased police presence in town this weekend following a recent rise in reports of nuisance behaviour in Sittingbourne.

A 48-hour dispersal order, under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014, will commenced at 4pm today (Friday 17th March) and remain in place until 8pm tomorrow (Saturday 18th March) evening.

Kent Police have confirmed that patrolling officers will be visible in public spaces throughout the town – including retail parks – to deter crimes, with a particular focus on thefts, vehicle crimes, disturbances and other anti-social activities.

Inspector Vanessa Foster, of Swale Community Safety Unit, told SFM News: "We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and residents shouldn’t have to put up with it. Additional patrols will be actively seeking to reduce any incidents of anti-social behaviour and will issue fines, make arrests, and charge offenders as necessary. I urge people to continue reporting incidents to us as they see it happen. The information is invaluable in ensuring any issues can be policed effectively".

Two Arrested In Connection With Lorry Fuel Thefts

Two Arrested In Connection With Lorry Fuel Thefts

Two men, suspected of stealing fuel from lorries, were arrested following quick work from a Kent Police dog and officers.

At around 3.45am on Monday (13th March) morning officers travelling on the A249 Maidstone-bound near Bobbing noticed a car parked close behind an HGV in a lay-by.

Two men then fled the scene as the patrol vehicle approached, with Police Dog Ciara and her handler called to assist in a search across fields.

Both suspects, one aged 30 and the other 21, were located shortly afterwards, arrested and later released on bail pending further enquiries.

A number of cannisters of fuel were also seized from the scene.

Inspector Steve Dunnett, of Swale’s Local Policing Team, told SFM News: "The theft of fuel from lorries can be hugely damaging to business owners who already spend thousands every year keeping their vehicles on the road. We take a very dim view of people who help themselves to fuel or other goods that do not belong to them, and will use every resource available to us to bring them into custody."

There have been a number of fuel thefts on this stretch of the A249 for the past 6 months.

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