Local News

Plans for the £46m regeneration of Sittingbourne have taken a step forward today with the announcement that building work on the new seven screen cinema should begin in the spring of 2016.

It is hoped that the first films will be screened in the summer of 2017, which would also includes the completion of a 308 space multi-storey car park and new traffic management flows - generating more than 700 jobs in the Sittingbourne area.

Cllr Andrew Bowles, the Leader of Swale Borough Council, told SFM News: "This is an important step in delivering the regeneration of the town centre that we have all been waiting for. The cinema underpins the whole development, so having this agreement is great news and we look forward to announcing the operator and the associated retail and restaurants that will be opening in the town, when the final terms are agreed."

Officers investigating a serious collision on the M20 in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 18th August) have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Kent Police were called at 2.00am following a collision involving a black Vauxhall Corsa and a lorry, between Junctions 7 and 6 London-bound.

Following the collision, the driver of the car - a 19-year-old man - exited his vehicle and collided with another car, causing him to suffer a serious leg injury. The driver of the lorry - a 44-year-old man from Poland - then suffered a suspected medical episode and died at the scene.

The carriageway was closed during most of this morning's rush hour whilst investigators from the Serious Collision Investigation Team carried out enquiries, but has since re-opened.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Scott Lynch, told SFM News: ‘We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident who has not already spoken to police. We would also particularly like to hear from the driver of the dark-coloured vehicle that collided with the man. Their vehicle is likely to have suffered significant front-end damage. Anyone with information is asked to call the serious collision investigation unit on 01622 798538. quoting reference 18-0075. Alternatively they can email us: sciu.td@kent.pnn.police.uk."

Last week, between Monday 3rd and Sunday 9th of August, a newly installed Defibrillator was stolen from a Kent Fire and Rescue vehicle at the Sittingbourne Fire Station on St Michaels Road.

Anyone with any information that could help investigators is asked to please contact Kent police on telephone number 101 and quote the Crime Number: XY/027675/15 or alternatively they can call Kent Crimestoppers free (from any landline) and anonimously on 0800 555 111.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision on Keycol Hill during yesterday (29th July) afternoon's rush hour.

A man riding a blue bicycle was involved in a collision with a white lorry on the A2 Key Street roundabout at the bottom of Keycol Hill at around 3.45pm.

The cyclist was flown by the Kent Air Ambulance to a London hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Officers from Kent Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit attended to carry out investigations at the scene and the road was closed until 7.45pm last night.

These officers now want to hear from any witnesses, or anyone with any information who has not already spoken to them, to contact them directly at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 01622 798538.