KFC says it hopes to open new drive-throughs in Cobham, Chessington, Epsom, Sutton and Leatherhead, as well s smaller restaurants at other locations round the county.

 It’s part of  nationwide search for 500 new sites by the fried chicken retailer.

Some Kingston residents have warned plans to refurbish and extend a building near the station could block their light and lead to their gardens being overlooked.

Last week the borough council granted planning permission for Greencoat House in Clarence street to be refurbished. 

Developers AMRO want to add four extra floors to the back of the building  as part of a plan to create 202 new living spaces.

Residents have also complained almost no new parking is being offered at the premises, which are currently used as student accommodation.

Work has begun in Brentford to transform a popular local park on the banks of the River Thames.

The improvements at Waterman’s Park include new footpaths an cycleways, hedges, wildflowers and more play equipment, especially for older children.

Hounslow Council says it hopes the work will be completed by Macrh.

The former world number one suffered a straight-sets defeat in the final of the Sydney Tennis Classic.

He lost to top seed Aslan Karatsev - 6-3, 6-3.

Murray will next face Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

It’s after the authority was informed in November that a number of trees near Twickenham Green are eligible to be removed.  

The council had already refused a developer permission to fell the trees in Hampton Road, as one, a Eucalytpus, is protected.  

But under national planning laws, there is not sufficient reason for the Council to be able to make preservation orders for the other trees. 

The European champions are away to the Premier League leaders this lunchtime.

Title rivals City are chasing a 12th unbeaten top-flight game on the trot

Chelsea are 10 points behind in the table and Tuchel says they need to be realistic.

The Range Rover hit the police car and along with a large saloon vehicle possibly a dark coloured Audi A6 sped off from Walton Lane.

It’s been revealed that the Range Rover which was found abandoned later had been stolen from a nearby house.

There were no injuries but anyone with any information or dashcam footage is asked to call 101.

According to reports in The Mirror, so-called "wine time Fridays" were so popular, staff bought a dedicated fridge for alcohol.

Sir Keir Starmer's accused Boris Johnson of being unfit to lead.

Labour MP for Tooting Dr Rosena Allin-Khan is appalled by the latest revelations.

8-year-old Nelson played Christmas songs at 12 different hospitals accompanied by his sister Kaja over the 12 days of Christmas.

He earned the title “Boy on the Balcony” after he started playing from his home in Eel Pie Island during the first lockdown 

Nelson, who finished up at Kingston Hospital on the 5th of January, explains why he undertook the challenge. 

Victory would seal the former world number one's first title since 2019.

Karatsev beat another Brit, Dan Evans, in their semi-final yesterday.

The match is just about to start. 

They go into the game at the Etihad Stadium this afternoon 10 points behind their rivals in the table.

City have won their last 11 top-flight matches and Tuchel knows it will be a tough task to end the run.

Muhammad Malik's asking single women of the UK to save himself from an arranged marriage.

A giant picture of the 29-year-old is plastered on boards in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

Muhammad says this isn't a gimmick and he's serious about marriage.

Their request to call-off a game last month, due to seven Covid-19 cases, was rejected by the top-flight before their draw at Wolves.

Tuchel insists his team are doing all they can to make sure matches go ahead and hopes it is the same story elsewhere.

Figures from the British Chamber of Commerce show 79% of businesses struggled to recruit towards the end of last year. 

SGN maintains over 44,000 miles of gas pipes across London and the South and is considered an emergency service. 

But as Recruitment Manager Hayley Mowbray explains, the pandemic actually presented the company with a new problem. 

44-year-old Emma Smart from Dorset has served around two months of her four-month sentence.

The other protesters who blocked motorways have also been released.

They’re continuing to call for a national home insulation programme.

The world tennis number one's had his visa revoked once again ahead of the Australian Open, which starts on Monday.

He'll return to quarantine tomorrow.

Two time Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray says, while he respects Djokovic's decision not to get the Covid vaccine, it does make things tricky for him.

Early Wednesday morning, they came across a Range Rover and a dark coloured Audi A6 on Walton Lane.

As officers pulled up the drivers of the vehicles made off at speed, colliding with the police car.

An abandoned Range Rover was discovered a short distance away and enquiries revealed it had been stolen close to where they were initially seen.

Anyone with CCTV footage of the area is urged to contact police on 101.

The Council is to introduce a fully segregated cycle and pedestrian corridor along Beddington Lane. 

This phase of works will encompass the route from the Beddington Lane tram-stop to Beddington Village.

Some bus stops will not be serviced during the works.  

The authority is urging residents to take part in its consultation on how money is spent over the next 12 months.

Kingston currently has the highest council tax for the average band D property in London, at £1,693 a year.

COVID, the way funding is assigned and a growing population are being cited as presenting “significant challenges.” 

You have until Sunday to air your views. 

You can take art in the survey in the following ways. 

• Online: www.kingstonletstalk.co.uk/2022-2023-budget

• Email: [email protected](External link)

• Phone: 0208 547 5000

• Post: get in touch to request a paper copy of the survey, and we will send this with a stamp addressed envelope to send back to the Guildhall.

MP Siobhain McDonagh is writing to the education secretary, asking what support the government is giving to schools.

She’s also pointing out that schools are being required to keep their windows open, further increasing heating bills.

The government has a pay cap to try to limit what suppliers can charge.

Stephen Hammond says “my constituents in Wimbledon have followed the rules and many have made personal sacrifices”.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after the incident at around 1.40am on Thursday.

Police are trying to identify two men who came to the aid of the girl, which allowed her to escape.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

James Slack's leaving do is one of the two events held the same night, just before Prince Philip's funeral.

They also broke covid rules, but Boris Johnson was away at the time.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and MP for Kingston Sir Ed Davey, says the independent inquiry into Number Ten parties is not enough.

It’s currently non-statutory, which relies on witnesses taking part voluntarily.

Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy wants it to become statutory, which will give it the power to issue summons and take evidence on oath.

She says that it’s currently “insufficient” in its attempt to restore women’s trust in the police and justice system.

The Home Secretary hasn’t ruled out moving it to a statutory basis, and says the current model will “give her family closure as quickly as possible”.

Data published by world football's governing body, FIFA, puts Italy second by more than £500m.

Ten of the top 20 biggest spending clubs in Europe were English - with Manchester United top and Chelsea second.

17 people died in the Bronx area of the city.

The Norbiton-based FBU claims there are similarities between that tragedy and the Grenfell Tower fire in London in 2017.

Kingston MP, Sir Ed Davey, wanted Commissioner Cressida Dick to resign in September. 

He was unhappy with the way the Sarah Everard vigil had been policed under her watch. 

But Sir Ed’s told us his previous issue with Ms Dick shouldn’t stop the Prime Minister being investigated over the Downing Street parties.

Police were called just after 8am yesterday after the woman in her 30s was hit by a lorry.

The driver stopped at the scene.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

Kingston Council says it needs to save a further £7 million this year just to balance its books. 

Kingston currently has the highest council tax for the average band D property in London, at £1,693 a year.

COVID, the way funding is assigned and a growing population are being cited as presenting “significant challenges.” 

You have until Sunday to air your views. 

You can take art in the survey in the following ways. 

• Online: www.kingstonletstalk.co.uk/2022-2023-budget

• Email: [email protected](External link)

• Phone: 0208 547 5000

• Post: get in touch to request a paper copy of the survey, and we will send this with a stamp addressed envelope to send back to the Guildhall.

The hope of remembering the atrocities of one particular day is that there may be “one day” in the future with no genocide. 

96 year old Bea Green from Barnes left Germany on the Kinder transport in 1939; she recalls seeing Hitler on her way to school one day. 

Oxshott resident, Murray, won the first set against Belgian David Goffin before his opponent retired with a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Evans - who's due to face Goffin in the opening round in Melbourne - has beaten Maxime Cressy in straight sets.

Police were called in the early hours of Tuesday to between the Send Junction and the Guildford Junction.

The 24-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The force says they cannot comment further at this time.

The council says it wants to gauge what is causing concern to both residents and businesses and how issues can be rectified. 

It’s launched its “Community Safety Survey” which is open until February the 13th. 

To take the survey, go to KingstonLetsTalk.co.uk 

The council has launched its own folding e-bike scheme to help people get around more sustainably. 

Joining the scheme will set you back £20 a month.

But the council says the cost involves home delivery of a new or nearly new bike and a cycle skills session with a qualified instructor. 

Saad al-Hilli, his wife, mother in law and a cyclist were shot dead in the Alps.

Officers say the man was eliminated as part of a new investigation into the killings.

Ravi Govindia says he’s proud of the way people in the borough have pulled together throughout the pandemic.

But he says that effort must continue and is urging those who haven’t yet had their Covid booster to take it.  

One of the first two cases of Omicron was detected in Wandsworth  back in November. 

Kingston MP Sir Ed Davey says it’s “quite normal” for former Prime Ministers to be knighted, especially as he won three terms. 

We asked him if this was a strong enough reason for Mr Blair to receive the gong. 

Emergency crews were called to between junctions 2 and 3 yesterday, near Longcross Bridge, just before 8.30pm.

It was partially shut for several hours while emergency services were at the scene.

Anyone who saw a red Vauxhall Corsa in the area around that time is asked to contact Surrey Police on 101.

Emergency services were called to reports of a casualty at 12:15 this lunchtime.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Services are currently suspended on South Western Railway between Wimbledon and Surbiton.

A 1-nil victory on the night gave them a 3-nil success on aggregate.

But Tuchel says there was plenty he didn't like, despite earning a trip to Wembley.

The authority is having to reduce its reception opening hours because of “high levels of transmission.”

The Knowle Green Reception is temporarily reducing its hours until January the 28th. 

The Prime Minister's admitted attending a drinks do in the Downing Street garden during the first national lockdown, but says he thought it was a work event.

His deputy, Esher and Walton Tory MP Dominic Raab feels his apology is sufficient:

The authority estimates the new signal-controlled pedestrian crossing near Floreat Academy will cost around £10,000. 

Councils are not permitted to install, maintain or repair the capital’s traffic lights as only TfL engineers are authorised to do this work.

If the crossing gets the go-ahead, it will be sited in Garratt Lane near the junction with Wardley Street.

Age UK's urging the government to take immediate action to minimise the effects of soaring prices.

There are predictions wholesale costs could increase by 50% in the next few months.

The government has a pay cap to try to limit what suppliers can charge.

Dr Rosena-Allin Khan has written an open letter to the managing director, signed by many residents.

She’s criticising “frequent delays” and “overcrowding on rush hour services”, as well as a reduced timetable due to come in on Monday.

The operator is having to make changes due to disruption caused by the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Hamida Ali has been speaking following the fatal stabbing of 15 year-old Zaian Aimable-Lina in the borough on December the 30th. 

London recorded its worst ever annual death toll from teenage homicides in December with a total of 30 deaths for 2021. 

Five were in Croydon. 

In an open letter to residents, Ms Ali’s maintained that tackling youth violence is a key priority for Croydon Council.  

That’s the question residents are being asked as nominations for this year’s Community Heroes Awards open. 

There are various award categories available including outstanding achievement by a young person.

If you know someone who you consider to be a hero, you have until February the 3rd to submit your nomination via the council website. 

Police say they’re stepping up patrols and speaking with businesses.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Runnymede Police.

It’s after Boris Johnson apologised about a Garden Party which took place at Downing Street during lockdown in May 2020.

Kingston MP Ed Davey wants Cressida Dick to charge and fine participants if they are found to have broken Covid laws.  

Sir Ed says the police need to reassure people that there isn’t one rule for them and another for the Prime Minister.  

Douglas Ross is the first senior Tory to publicly call on him to go.

The Prime Minister has apologised after attending a drinks do in the Downing Street garden during the first national lockdown.

His account is being backed by his MP for Esher and Walton and the PM’s deputy, Dominic Raab:

They go into the leg with a 2-0 lead over their hosts.

The winners of tonight will face either Arsenal or Liverpool in the final in February.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm

The former world number one battled back from a set down to beat second seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the last-16.

Earlier, Evans secured a comfortable straight sets victory over Spain's Pedro Martinez.

But Katie Swan won't be with them in the main draw of next week's Australian Open after going out in qualifying.

Aras Amiri had been acquitted of all charges by Iran's Supreme Court following an appeal.

Ms Amiri, who had been working in the British Council's London office, was arrested in 2018 while visiting her grandmother.

She was sentenced to 10 years in jail in 2019 but has now returned to the UK.  

Saad al-Hilli, his wife Iqbal, and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf were shot dead while parked in a layby near Lake Annecy.

A French cyclist was also killed.

The al-Hillis' two young daughters survived the attack and have since been given new identities.

A number of people have been arrested in connection with the deaths but no charges have ever been brought.

Investigators have said that Sylvain Mollier, the cyclist,  had no link to the family and was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Prime Minister's told MPs he spent 25 minutes thanking people for their efforts and has apologised.

He says he considered it a working get-together, but now accepts he should have sent employees home.

Lib Dem leader and Kingston MP, Sir Ed Davey, says an apology doesn’t go far enough. 

Saad al-Hilli, his wife Iqbal, and her mother Suhaila al-Allaf were shot dead while parked in a layby near Lake Annecy.

Their two daughters survived, while a French cyclist was also killed.

Authorities are reportedly searching properties.

The two clubs grew out of Wimbledon FC after splitting in 2003, and the Milton Keynes side have won 8 out of the 12 games.

Wimbledon defender Guinness-Walker was sent off after 36 minutes, then the MK Dons pressed their advantage.

It’s left AFC Wimbledon just above the League One relegation zone, and the MK in fifth.

Police were called just after 9pm to Oldbury Road on Saturday the first of January, where a person was found with multiple injuries and taken to hospital.

Two men from Addlestone and one from Chertsey have been released on bail, while a 17-year-old girl from Epsom has been released under investigation.

Anyone who may have seen a silver Audi A3 in the area that evening is asked to contact Surrey Police.

Emergency crews were called at around 7.15 yesterday evening to Kingston Road.

The building has been ventilated, and firefighters found no chemical substances.

A man and a woman were rescued from a flat on the third floor, and taken to hospital.

However, they’re still at record levels, with each borough showing a rate above 1000 per 100,000 people, with Spelthorne at 1,640.

It follows weeks of the rate being extremely high across the county compared to the national average.

However, England’s rate is now just over 1,600, compared to Surrey’s 1,365, with both numbers dropping slightly.

The Bank branch is due to shut down on Saturday until mid-May for work to expand capacity at the station. 

Wandsworth’s Transport Spokesperson John Locker says Transport for London needs to do everything it can to stick to this timetable. 

TfL says other transport options will be available throughout the period. 

The 15 mile walk between the charity’s two hospitals, Sutton and Chelsea, raises around £1.5 million annually. 

This year, walkers will offered both an in-person and virtual option.   

Laura Parker is a former patient and has been taking part in the Marsden March since it launched a decade ago.

The 24 year old has flourished since his senior debut against Agen in the European Challenge Cup back in 2018.

Since them, he’s made 87 appearances, racked up over 200 points and scored 11 tries in his debut season for Quins.

He first arrived at the Club from Cardiff Met University ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The offer is part of a new plan aimed at making the World Heritage site more accessible to people of all ages.

It’s part of the promises made by Kew when it launched is Manifesto for Change in early 2020.

Bosses announced that £15 million had been lost after the first Covid  lockdown. 

At Fulham vs Cardiff City, they also mingled with the Cardiff fans, and tried to learn a couple of the Welsh team’s songs.

Meanwhile, at QPR vs Nottingham Forest, they were greeted at the stadium by the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham.

The Mayor says that “we owe them a debt of gratitude” for their work supporting the British armed forces in Afghanistan.

Renowned Kingston based author Jacqueline Wilson is taking up the story which was first published in 1943. 

It will be the first “Magic Faraway Tree” book in 75 years and the first in the series by an author other than Blyton. 

The Rugby Paper reports that it would cost over £2m to move their Six Nations games there.

The Welsh government has banned crowds at sporting events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the cost of playing their games behind closed doors could be around £20m.

19.4 million people travelled through the airport last year, which is down 12.3% on 2020.

The airport says a full recovery for the aviation industry is years away as travel restrictions make it impossible.

The leader of Merton Council has written to the service asking for an update on the situation.

Mark Allison says previous correspondence has gone unanswered.

He’s requesting that he has a response as a matter of urgency, although acknowledges the staff pressures due to COVID-19.

The incident happened last Thursday between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Clare Road near the junction with Hadrian Way.

Three men on bikes approached the victim, asked for money and then assaulted them, resulting in £20 being stolen and minor injuries.

The suspects are described as White, around 18-19 years old, medium build, average height, wearing dark tracksuits and face coverings. 

If you have dashcam footage of the robbery or any other information that can help you should contact police on 101.

One woman died after a collision between a car and a stationary lorry in the hard shoulder.

Emergency services shut the road at 8:15 this morning between J8 and J9, an air ambulance also attended the scene.

The motorway was closed for just under 7 hours, it has now re-opened.

Anyone who witnessed or may have dashcam footage of the incident are urged to contact police on 101.

Investigators have reported that it involved an extractor fan.

50 firefighters were called to a blaze on Queens Avenue just after 8am.

Part of the first floor and the loft conversion was damaged. 

A woman left the property before the Brigade arrived and was treated at the scene. 

There are no reports of any injuries.

34 year old Ronald Kissaka and 39 year old Dwaine Harris have both been charged in connection with the death of Reece Young last year.

Police were called to reports of a fight in Alpha Road in March 2020 where they found 23 year old Reece suffering stab wounds.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Problems with the roof forced its closure in 2019, and since then, the council has been debating its replacement. 

The proposals, on the Transform Kingston website, include a toddler pool, a climbing wall and an outdoor playground as well as a gym. 

The council says the new Kingfisher will “be miles ahead of the old Kingfisher in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency.”

A leaked e-mail reveals 100 people were invited to 'bring their own booze' to the Number 10 garden in May 2020.

Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie are understood to be among around 40 who attended.

Health minister Edward Argar says the government won't comment while Sue Gray's independent investigation's ongoing.

Former Croydon Central MP, Lord Gavin Barwell says “it is not entirely clear why the PM needs to wait for Sue Gray’s report to find out if he went to a party in his own garden”.

Emergency crews, including the air ambulance were called to between junction 8 and 9 just after 8am this morning.

The lorry was parked at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police.

Around 19.4m travelled through the airport last year, down 12.3% on 2020.

The airport's blamed the Omicron variant and tougher travel restrictions.

Chief executive John Holland-Kaye says the changing nature of measures makes aviation recovery impossible.

It means people without symptoms, who test positive on a lateral flow device, no longer need a PCR and should isolate based on that result alone.

It will be up to individuals to alert Test and Trace.

These people in Chiswick say they're okay about that.

From next Monday, services will be catered towards key workers, school pupils and those who cannot work from home. 

Until then, bosses have advised that services will still likely be subject to short notice cancellations or alterations. 

Stay tuned to Jackie for the latest travel across the period.

One of them needed to be hospitalised for a broken toe.

£20,000 is being offered in exchange for details of the killing of Leroy Mitchell.

He was shot and killed at a party on Birdhurst Road on the 2nd October last year.

Leroy’s mother has also written an open letter to the killer, and anyone who might have witnessed the incident.

 

Officers believe they can assist them with information regarding a theft in Brunner Court on the evening of the 6th November.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact police on 101.

The 33 year-old was killed by serving police officer Wayne Couzens as she walked home in Clapham last year.

The home secretary, Priti Patel, says she's "determined to understand the failings" which led to Sarah's death and prevent something similar happening again.

The brigade was called just before 4.30pm on Friday to Grovestile Way.

A man needed treatment at the scene.

The cause is under investigation.

The tennis world number one is hoping to defend his Australian Open title. 

But the government there could still refuse him permission to stay in the country. 

Here, Minister Michael Gove is hopeful things will be rectified before it comes to the Wimbledon Tennis Fortnight.

The brigade was called yesterday just before 9.30pm to North Drive.

Sub Officer Jack Hayes, who was at the scene, says that the door was shut when they arrived and there was heavy smoke in the hallway.

Part of the ground floor was damaged, but there are no reports of any injuries.

A special employment workshop is being held on the 18^th for those aged between 16 and 24.

It’s being hosted by The Spelthorne Business Forum which works with a number of businesses in the borough on recruitment.

For more information, check Spelthorne Borough Council’s website. 

It’s to ensure they are not disturbed while works to create community facilities, including a learning centre and cafe, take place.

They won’t be moved back to Greenwich once works are complete, but will instead integrate with Richmond Park’s deer. 

The Royal Parks says this will diversify the herd’s bloodline, widening the gene pool so that future offspring are healthy.

The annual Orchid Festival is returning to the World Heritage Site for the first time in 2 years following a break due to the pandemic.   

“Orchids 2022” will take its inspiration from the rich and colourful culture of Costa Rica when it opens next month. 

Bosses at Kew reported £15 million worth of losses after lockdown. 

More than 2,800 have been reported over the last week alone. 

The Council’s leader Gareth Roberts says the borough needs to “get on top of the numbers.”

He’s also expecting reported case numbers to rise over the coming week.

They say the demonstration is an act of solidarity with journalists and media “who are suffering from political persecution.”

It is estimated that over 2,000 people from Hong Kong have settled  in Kingston over the last 12 months. 

Today’s protest is in Clarence Street is part of a network of peaceful protests taking pace across the country.

They were taken at Kew Gardens in November and show how the Duchess wants to be portrayed at 40 with old fashioned glamour.

They will form part of a project at the national Portrait Gallery where the Duchess is Patron and will go on display at three locations.

Designed to attract people back to the heart of the capital, the Mound cost £8 to visit when it opened last July.

The £6 million artificial hill has been plagued with problems, including mud, dying grass and having to be propped up with scaffolding.