Local News

Yet another collision has happened involving a lorry and a car on the new section of Dover Street/St Michael's Road near the new Bourne Place development.

This is the second collision in as many weeks and happened at around 7:00pm this evening (Tuesday 25th February).A witness told SFM News that the car had lost it,s bumper in the collision and the lorry appeared to be on the wrong side of the road after following the corner around towards the Lidl store.

Concerns about the safety of the new road layout have been made to Kent Highways and Swale Borough Council.

Storm Ciara has caused problems in the Sittingbourne area this morning (Sunday 9th February).

Train services on South Eastern were suspended between Sittingbourne and Faversham earlier due to a tree blocking the line near Teynham (pictured). A seperate incident, with a points failure at Newington, also added to train travellers woes with all London-bound services calling at Newington to allow affected passengers to get off at the station. South Eastern advised people on Twitter: ""we strongly advise you do not travel today."

The Swallows Leisure Centre had to close at lunchtime due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. It is believed that part of the new roof, fitted as part of the multi million pund make-over, has been damaged in the gale force winds sweeping across Kent.

On the roads the Sheppey Crossing was closed at around 10:50am following strong winds being recorded across the Swale and a number of local country routes were blocked with trees being blown down in the strong gusts.

The Met Office have confirmed that the Amber Warning for wind remains in place until 21:00hrs.

Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for funding from Swale Borough Council's brand-new Foodbank Grant.

The council are offering a total of £15,000 to support community projects and organisations supporting people in severe need, who are promoting healthier eating or are tackling the causes of foodbank usage by working with others to offer specialist support and advice.

The applications process is open for four weeks and closes on Monday 17th February and each organisation can apply for a maximum of £6,000.

Cllr Julian Saunders, Deputy Cabinet Member For Community at the council, told SFM News: "Foodbanks provide a vital service in the community and it's imperative that we support them in any way we can. Too many people have had to use foodbanks to feed their families, and without them many wouldn't have known where their next meal was coming from. The grants will not only support the great work of the foodbanks but also those services that tackle the problems that force residents to use foodbanks in the first place. The foodbank grant is open for four weeks and we encourage any service that works with foodbanks to get in touch and make an application."

For more information about the grant, including an application form and guidance on how to apply, visit: swale.gov.uk/grants.

Witnesses are being sought after a teenager suffered serious injuries following a collision in Sittingbourne at the weekend.

A blue Volkswagen Scirocco was travelling along Mill Way from Eurolink Way when it was involved in a collision with a pedestrian who was crossing the road. The collision took place at around 6.25pm on Sunday (12th January) evening. A teenage boy was taken to a London hospital with head injuries and remains in a serious condition.

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who was travelling along that road and has dashcam footage, to call their appeal line on 01622 798 538 or alternatively they can email sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk quoting: HW/FM/004/20.