Home   Authors   Author

Alan Smith

Alan Smith joined the Kent Messenger as a trainee sub-editor in 1989. In 1998 he switched to a reporting role, chiefly on the Kent Messenger and subsequently on Kent Online.

'We're not just putting up 106 homes and walking away - this will be a community'

06 September 2024
'We're not just putting up 106 homes and walking away - this will be a community'

Construction is well underway on a housing association’s project to build dozens of high-quality affordable homes.

2

New £2m waste centre to keep up with growing population

05 September 2024
New £2m waste centre to keep up with growing population

A borough will soon be able to offer kerbside food collections after the launch of a new waste transfer station.

2

New 20mph zones outside 14 schools and nurseries

05 September 2024
New 20mph zones outside 14 schools and nurseries

Huge swathes of a town have seen speed limits reduced in a bid to protect pedestrians and prevent crashes.

3

Bins pile up as angry residents slam recycling ‘mavericks’

05 September 2024
Bins pile up as angry residents slam recycling ‘mavericks’

Residents are pleading with their neighbours not to contaminate their shared recycling bins after waste collectors repeatedly refuse to take them.

The robots that could help Kent’s fruit picking problems

03 September 2024
The robots that could help Kent’s fruit picking problems

A new technology in action on a Kent farm may solve the shortage of fruit-pickers - by using robots.

Flats plan for old Barclays

02 September 2024
Flats plan for old Barclays

A former Barclays could be converted to provide two commercial units and four flats.

Town centre delays due to water works

02 September 2024
Town centre delays due to water works

There is heavy congestion due to a lane closure and temporary traffic lights outside a supermarket.

4

Solar array planned for sheep field

01 September 2024
Solar array planned for sheep field

A proposed solar array on farmland in the green belt will power homes and a local internet service.

M&S launches weekly parent and baby club

01 September 2024
M&S launches weekly parent and baby club

Weekly parent and baby meet-ups are being launched at seven M&S cafes across Kent.

‘There is simply not provision in the village to accommodate a development of this size’

01 September 2024
‘There is simply not provision in the village to accommodate a development of this size’

A developer has submitted plans for 99 homes on farmland in the green belt.

2

Blue Badge holders no longer able to park for free as council brings in ANPR

01 September 2024
Blue Badge holders no longer able to park for free as council brings in ANPR

Blue Badge holders will lose free parking as a council proposes to introduce ANPR cameras as part of a £530k upgrade of its car parks.

130

‘Picnic for Palestine’ to be held in town park

30 August 2024
‘Picnic for Palestine’ to be held in town park

Hundreds are expected to attend a picnic in a park in an act of solidarity with those suffering in Palestine during the ongoing conflict.

‘We are all in shock’: Staff furious as ambulance firm ceases trading abruptly

30 August 2024
‘We are all in shock’: Staff furious as ambulance firm ceases trading abruptly

A private ambulance company that provided transport for NHS patients to reach hospital appointments has suddenly ceased trading.

13

Work to lower wall often hit by traffic completed

30 August 2024
Work to lower wall often hit by traffic completed

Villagers are holding their breath to see if work to lower an historic church wall will stop it being bashed by traffic.

Council plans for greener leisure centres

30 August 2024
Council plans for greener leisure centres

A £1.6m investment in solar panels and heat pumps will cut costs and carbon emissions at a popular leisure centre.

Missed bins crisis continues for homes with communal bins

29 August 2024
Missed bins crisis continues for homes with communal bins

Residents in a homes development with communal bins say they’ve had no collections in three of the five months since a new waste contract came in.

3

Military charity to mark turning 105 years old

29 August 2024
Military charity to mark turning 105 years old

Veterans at the RBLI village for ex-servicemen invite the public to join them for tea and cakes to celebrate the charity’s 105th birthday.

£1.25m investment to improve water quality

28 August 2024
£1.25m investment to improve water quality

A water company is spending an extra £1.25m in an effort to improve the quality of wastewater treatment.

‘Very sad but necessary’ felling of trees at urban nature reserve

28 August 2024
‘Very sad but necessary’ felling of trees at urban nature reserve

Potentially dangerous poplar trees in an urban nature reserve must be felled, says council.

4

The terraced house that was home to town’s ‘smallest cinema’

27 August 2024
The terraced house that was home to town’s ‘smallest cinema’

In the 1930s a film fan created a cinema in the front room of his father’s house that could seat just eight people.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More