Airport expansion is bad for the South East's economy, a report has claimed. Friends of the Earth said the boom in aviation is costing the region three times more than it gains. Using data from the Office of National Statistics, it said UK travellers are spending £2.7bn more abroad per year than foreigners flying to the area.
The firm which runs the Hong Kong Metro and a UK train company have submitted a bid to take over the rail franchise for the south east of England including services to Folkestone Central and West stations.
Shepway Liberal Democrat campaigners have welcomed new guidance on the use of mini-motorbikes. Many local residents have raised the issue of mini motorbikes being used on roads, pavements and in other places that cause disturbance and are dangerous to others. Although marketed as 'toys', mini motos can reach speeds of up to 60mph and there have been fatalities and serious injury as a result of accidents.
Shepway Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been awarded two stars (out of a possible three) by the Healthcare Commission in the latest performance rating for Primary Care Trusts nationally. Shepway met all eight of its Key Targets:
Children ringing ChildLine in the early hours of the morning after being abused or running away from desperate situations at home may soon find that the lines are closed.
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Volunteers are being sought by Kent Police to make independent checks on people being held in custody.The Kent Police Authority wants people to observe and report impartially and independently on conditions under which others are detained.
Shepway Liberal Democrats are delighted that the NO2ID pledge to refuse to sign up to an identity card and identity database. Shepway Lib Dem members Tim Prater, Darren Briddock and Sam Matthews are amongst the thousands to have signed up to the pledge.
The Liberal Democrats have thanked voters for their support in the by-elections to Hythe Town Council in Hythe South and Hythe East. Although the Conservatives won both seats, the Liberal Democrats retain control of Hythe Town Council.
Recorded crime in Kent fell last year, according to Government figures published today. The county has one of the lowest levels of overall recorded crime in the South East, a region with one of the lowest levels of crime in England and Wales.
Residents in New Romney, Greatstone & Lydd-on-Sea are to benefit from mains drainage for the first time after Southern Water was given the go-ahead to lay sewers. Connections to the new drainage system will take place over the next two years. Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed the go-ahead, but continue to question the cost to householders to be connected to the new service. It is likely that householders will be asked to pay a significant bill for connection.
The Conservatives in Hythe have suspended the membership of former Tory Councillor Martin Ross who is standing against his own Party in Hythe South in a by-election to Hythe Town Council tomorrow. Former Conservative Councillor Martin Ross has called for a motion of no confidence in the local Conservative Party Chairman.
Mark Hunter has been declared as the new Member of Parliament for Cheadle with a majority of 3,657. Lib Dem Mark fought a positive campaign on the issues that matter to local people, and is delighted to have been elected to succeed local favourite Patsy Calton. Despite an American-style negative and personal campaign by the Conservatives, their candidate fell to a humiliating third successive defeat in Cheadle.
