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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 have a lorry ban, but it’s not enforced’

27 December 2024
‘We have a lorry ban, but it’s not enforced’

Villagers are growing fed-up with HGVs trundling along their country roads, but the council says there’s nothing they can do to stop them.

Council should ‘take on conversion of former nightclub to flats’

26 December 2024
Council should ‘take on conversion of former nightclub to flats’

A former nightclub should be redeveloped by the council as temporary accommodation for the homeless, it has been suggested.

Free park-and-ride for hospital users

23 December 2024
Free park-and-ride for hospital users

A medical trust is launching free park-and-ride shuttle services to its hospitals in the New Year.

More double yellow lines on the way

22 December 2024
More double yellow lines on the way

People are being asked to give their views on proposals for double yellow lines in their streets.

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Changes to improve safety after death of young paramedic

22 December 2024
Changes to improve safety after death of young paramedic

SECAmb says it has reacted to criticisms by a coroner following careless driving by an ambulance driver that caused the death of a paramedic.

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‘Our family has fought fires for four generations - even after tragedy hit’

22 December 2024
‘Our family has fought fires for four generations - even after tragedy hit’

Four generations of one family have been fighting a town’s fires for over 120 years - with one making the ultimate sacrifice.

‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

21 December 2024
‘Sewage spillage has left me with 100 bales of rotting hay’

A farmer claims he has been left in the lurch by Southern Water after a sewage spillage ran through his farmyard and “soaked and ruined” it.

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Kent pool named best in the UK

19 December 2024
Kent pool named best in the UK

A council’s newly refurbished splash pool has won a national award.

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£60m regeneration project taking shape

19 December 2024
£60m regeneration project taking shape

Phase one of a huge development project is ready to see the start of construction of the first affordable homes.

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Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

18 December 2024
Huge delays as engineers struggle to find gas leak

SGN is working around the clock to repair a gas main on a busy route - and more roadworks are coming.

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Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

17 December 2024
Retirement homes project creates jobs for construction trainees

A 140-home retirement community is a step closer to fruition after the appointment of a main contractor.

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New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

17 December 2024
New car showroom for Ford, Mazda and Kia at former John Lewis site

A family firm with a long history has been helping spread festive cheer ahead of opening new car showrooms.

The district in Kent building three times more affordable housing than anywhere else

17 December 2024
The district in Kent building three times more affordable housing than anywhere else

One local authority is way ahead of all the other Kent districts when it comes to providing affordable homes.

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Huge Christmas display made entirely of ‘rubbish’

16 December 2024
Huge Christmas display made entirely of ‘rubbish’

Workers at a household waste centre have recycled decorations to cheer up their visitors.

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Women share distressing stories of violence in bid to improve safety for others

16 December 2024
Women share distressing stories of violence in bid to improve safety for others

Female councillors have spoken of their own experiences in a debate on violence against women and girls.

‘It’s quantity over quality’: Bid to convert hotel annexe into HMO returns

15 December 2024
‘It’s quantity over quality’: Bid to convert hotel annexe into HMO returns

A hotelier has resubmitted plans to turn an annexe into an HMO due to a drop in guest numbers, saying “we simply cannot continue like this”.

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Bus driver ‘punched in face’ after altercation with passenger

13 December 2024
Bus driver ‘punched in face’ after altercation with passenger

Police are searching for a man after an Arriva driver was reportedly assaulted at a bus station.

‘Branch came down like a spear - it’s lucky it didn’t hit anyone’

13 December 2024
‘Branch came down like a spear - it’s lucky it didn’t hit anyone’

A retired scientist is calling on the council to cut back trees after a falling bough impaled itself on a verge outside his home.

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Abandoned charity shop could become home

13 December 2024
Abandoned charity shop could become home

Plans have been put forward to turn a branch of Save the Children which was closed more than four years into a house.

‘Put green before greed’: Villagers devastated at countryside home plans approval

12 December 2024
‘Put green before greed’: Villagers devastated at countryside home plans approval

Residents are “devastated” after a council approved plans for 150 homes which opponents say will turn the land into an “ecological desert.”

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