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Kent weekly round-up: 4 May - 10 May 2024

Paula Hudgell Tony Hudgell wearing sunglasses in a car on his way to the palacePaula Hudgell
Tony Hudgell's visit to Buckingham Palace was abandoned due to traffic on the M20

The story about a nine-year-old Kent boy receiving an invitation from Buckingham Palace proved a popular read this week

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Kent and BBC South East Today.

We have picked five stories from the past week in case you missed them.

Mixed reaction in Dover as MP joins Labour

PA New Labour MP Natalie Elphicke, speaks prior to a speech by Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer, during a visit to DoverPA
Natalie Elphicke remains the MP for Dover and Deal, but will now represent the Labour Party

Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has been labelled a "turncoat" by a councillor in her Dover and Deal constituency after her shock defection to the Labour Party.

Ms Elphicke left the Conservative Party on Wednesday saying "key deciding factors" were housing and the safety and security of the country's borders.

Labour confirmed she will not stand as a candidate in Dover and Deal at the next general election and it will retain its existing candidate Mike Tapp.

Oliver Richardson, a Conservative councillor on Dover District Council, said the MP had "let us down" and was "a complete turncoat".

Read more here

Channel Tunnel marks 30th anniversary

Reuters A yellow fronted train emerges from a tunnel with the words Euro Tunnel emblazoned in red, blue and black on the wall behind itReuters
More than 13,000 workers from both France and England worked on the Channel Tunnel, which took six years to build.

The Channel Tunnel has celebrated 30 years since it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.

The 31-mile (50 km) long structure, opened on 6 May 1994, connecting Folkestone in Kent, with Calais, northern France, for the first time.

GetLink, which runs the Eurotunnel passenger shuttle, said about 480 million passengers had used the service since it opened.

It described the anniversary as "remarkable".

Read more here

Kent police commissioner Matthew Scott re-elected

Matthew Scott after results are declared
Conservative Matthew Scott was re-elected as Kent's police commissioner

Matthew Scott, Kent's Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has been re-elected.

Mr Scott, who has held the role since 2016, stood against two other candidates in this year's polls.

Since 2012, PCCs have controlled forces' budgets, set their priorities and have the power to hire and fire chief constables.

The count took place at Gravesend Civic Centre on Sunday.

Read more here

National Highways defers works for exams

Getty Images Roadwork signs on the floor Getty Images
Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council said the works were "causing concern"

National Highways has deferred some planned roadworks in Kent after concerns were raised about delays to students taking exams.

Planned works to the A21 southbound off slip and the A26 southbound overbridge had started on 29 April but were halted two days later and deferred until July.

Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, said the works were "causing concern" about potentially delaying students set to take exams in Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells.

National Highways said it had agreed to postpone the works and added "we hope this will ease the concerns raised".

Read more here

Royal invitation boy wants 'to see if the King is OK'

Tony Hudgell wearing sunglasses in his garden
Tony Hudgell was invited to the garden party in recognition of his fundraising

A nine-year old boy who has been re-invited to Buckingham Palace after missing a garden party due to traffic said he "just wants to see if the King is OK".

Tony Hudgell, from Kent, who is a double amputee, was on his way to the party hosted by King Charles III on Wednesday when he got stuck in a traffic jam on the M20.

Speaking a day after the disappointment, Tony said he was now excited to meet the King because he has "always wanted" to see him.

The youngster told BBC South East: "He has had some treatment and I just want to see if he was OK."

Read more here

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