New data has shown that air quality in Cambridge city centre has improved during the lockdown, with nitrogen dioxide levels 33% lower than the average for the previous three years.

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The report, external, about the impact of travel restrictions on traffic and air quality on the Greater Cambridge transport network was developed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership and gives an initial assessment of how people moved around the city between 16 March and 19 April.

It also shows:

• A 56% reduction in average daily motor vehicle journeys, with significant drops in bus and delivery vehicle movements
• Daily use across all multi-storey car parks dropped by 83%
• An average decrease of 39% in daily cycle counts and a 26% drop in daily pedestrian counts across monitored locations – which reduced by 80% in retail areas
• A large reduction in bus services and bus users
• Journey times improved by an average of 27% across monitored routes

The chief executive of the home's operator said it had been "horribly impacted" by the pandemic.

• The Bucks Free Press, external reports that Thames Valley Air Ambulance has launched its first ever "urgent" appeal in response to a predicted £1m shortfall in fundraising income
• Bedford Today, external reports that a GP group has donated a care package to a nursing home
• The Herts Mercury, external reveals a Cheshunt zoo owner has warned he may have to put some animals to sleep if it closes due to coronavirus
• There is a call to protect Filipino health staff as workers from that country suffer "highest death rate", the Watford Observer, external reports

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Accommodation is being bought for homeless people amid claims the government has withdrawn its scheme to support people through the Covid-19 pandemic.

North Norfolk District Council is to spend £117,000 on a two-bed flat in North Walsham to offer to a homeless family. It follows two similar purchases earlier this year.

Reports the government would no longer fund a scheme which saw homeless people put up in hotels to keep them safe from the virus, were published by the BBC last week, following a leak to the Manchester Evening News.

Council leader Sarah Butikofer said she was "very worried" about the claims, but added "now we've managed to get those people into accommodation, it's an ideal time to work with them".

A council report stated that officers had been working to buy four properties with an agreed budget of £610,000.

An earlier statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "Any suggestion that the government is reneging on the commitment set out at the start of this national emergency is entirely wrong."

The 100-year-old war veteran was in disbelief but "delighted" to learn he is to be knighted.

Portsmouth say the difference in size between League One clubs makes it difficult to agree whether to continue or end their season.

The trial of a man accused of murdering University of Hull student Libby Squire has been adjourned until next year due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Image source, Facebook

Pawel Relowicz, 25, had been due to stand trial next month but Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, the Honorary Recorder of Sheffield, said the delay was necessary to avoid further adjournments.

The body of Miss Squire, who was originally from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, was recovered from the Humber Estuary on 20 March, almost seven weeks after she disappeared following an evening out with friends.

Mr Relowicz (pictured above) is alleged to have murdered her on 1 February and to have committed the rape between 31 January and 1 February.

Image source, Squire family

During the hearing earlier today Judge Richardson told the defendant the trial would now take place in January 2021 "because of the Covid-19 crisis".

"I am sorry it is such a long way away but it has to be because this is a serious matter," he said.

"If I have it any earlier then there is a risk it would have to be further adjourned."

Mr Relowicz was remanded in custody and was told by the judge that he will appear again via video-link for a pre-trial hearing on 30 November.

Neil Ruch had been on a ventilator in intensive care in Basildon Hospital since April.

League One and Two clubs could be placed under salary cap restrictions by new English Football League proposals.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC News

McDonald's has opened some of its drive-through restaurants in the East of England today.

Some 22 sites across Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire opened at 11:00. The branches are offering limited menus and spending has been capped at £25 per vehicle.

The chain said employees will have their temperatures checked and the number of workers on site will be reduced to ensure social distancing.

McDonald's previously warned fast-food customers that service "will not be as quick as you might be used to" and asked visitors to be "patient and supportive" of staff.

Here's a list of restaurants in the east which are open for drive-through only:

• Ipswich - Ranelagh Road
• Ipswich - Ravenswood
• Ipswich - Whitehouse
• Chelmsford - Regiment Business Park
• Bushey
• Watford - Garston
• Peterborough - Bourges Boulevard
• Peterborough - Boongate
• Peterborough - Hampton
• Peterborough - Morrisons, Lincoln Road
• Peterborough - Eye Green
• Peterborough - Glinton
• Dunstable - Luton Road
• Luton Retail Park, Gipsy Lane

While the following restaurants are open for delivery and drive-through:

• Chelmsford - Riverside
• Chelmsford - Westway
• Ipswich - Cardinal Park
• Essex - Boreham Interchange
• Luton - Leagrave

• Luton - Chaul End Lane
• Luton - George Street
• Watford - Hertfordshire Arms

Paul Gabriel was hit by a car while out after spending most of lockdown at home, his family say.

The home birth service, provided by the midwifery team at Northampton General Hospital, is to be reinstated from Friday after a temporary suspension due to Covid-19.

The NHS trust , externalsaid the team would gradually bring back the service, starting with women who have previously had a baby and who were already booked to have a home birth.

It was anticipated the full service would resume in the summer.

The decision to reinstate services comes following guidance from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives and the hospital said it had tailored their service in line with national guidance to ensure safe care for families.

It said the service is being regularly reviewed.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

The National Trust, external is working to reopen many of its sites where it is safe to do so, and on Monday, the car park at Dunstable Downs opened again.

On the Ashridge Estate, external in Hertfordshire, all car parks excluding Little Gaddesden are open but spaces are limited.

However, other places in the eastern region remain closed while the Trust plans how to open them safely.

Waddesdon Manor, external in Buckinghamshire has said its house, grounds and car park "remain closed while we carefully plan the safest route to a gradual, phased and considered reopening of our outdoor spaces".

In the meantime, it says people can enjoy Waddesdon from home with its online collection, external of films, virtual tours and blogs.

Many others are also closed, including the Cliveden Estate , externaland Ascott , externalin Buckinghamshire, the Wimpole Estate, external, Anglesey Abbey, Gardens & Lode Mill, external in Cambridgeshire and Canons Ashby , externalin Northamptonshire.

For details of which National Trust sites near you are open, you can check the website, external.

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Image source, Herts Chalk Walk

A St Albans woman is promoting mental health awareness while bringing some artistic joy quite literally to the streets of the city.

Zoe Andrews is doing street art using chalks and set up a Herts Chalk Walk page on Facebook, external for people to share pictures or videos of their own drawings.

Through the page, people can also donate to Mind In Mid Herts, external, an independent charity affiliated to national Mind.

"As someone who has only recently, after many years of asking for help, been diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), I know how hard it is to get the right help and support," she said.

"If you see me out and about, chalking away, don't be afraid to sit and have a chat, it's just my hands and eyes I use, so my ears are always free."

Aced it!

Image source, Herts Chalk Walk

• The Cambridge News, external reports that parents have been warned of major changes to Cambridgeshire schools when they reopen
• The Peterborough Telegraph, external reports that the city's MP has called for the schools to reopen as he hits out at "knee-jerk opposition from Labour"

Pastor Biya Ajala was so ill with Covid-19 doctors told his wife there was no more they could do.

The car parks at each of Northamptonshire's five country parks have reopened but public toilets, play areas and cafes at the parks remain closed.

Image source, Northamptonshire County Council

Brixworth, Barnwell, Irchester, Sywell and Fermy Woods have only been accessible on foot for the past two months.

The county council said normal parking charges apply and the money raised "goes back into maintaining our wonderful parks for you to enjoy".

In a tweet, external, it said: "Please observe social distancing rules and show respect for other park users when visiting our parks, and we recommend bringing your own hand sanitiser to maintain appropriate hygiene.

"Please do not use any play or outdoor gym equipment and kindly take your litter home with you."

The victim was sent to a care home to rehabilitate from a broken hip but died with Covid-19.

The charity which has benefited from the fundraising efforts of Captain Tom Moore said the announcement that he was to be knighted was "amazing news".

Image source, PA Media

The World War Two veteran, from Marston Moretaine in Bedfordshire, raised more than £33m by walking 100 lengths of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday last month.

NHS Charities Together, external said it was "amazing news and thoroughly deserved".

In a tweet, external, it said: "You captured the deep well of affection we have as a nation for the NHS and made a real difference for staff, volunteers and patients battling the Covid-19 crisis."

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

Watford FC has said its training ground is "virus-free and safe" after it was revealed the club was one of three Premier League clubs where staff had tested positive for coronavirus.

There have been six positive tests across the Premier League clubs.

One player and two staff at Watford accounted for three of them after testing was carried out at their London Colney training ground over the past 48 hours.

Image source, Reuters

The club said , externalit would not be naming those involved as they had asked for medical confidentiality.

They will now self-isolate for seven days, in line with the Premier League protocols before being tested again at a later date, a statement said.

"Strict adherence to the Premier League guidelines has ensured the training ground remains virus-free and a safe environment for the players to continue to work," it said.

"The club will continue to liaise closely with the affected personnel and there will be no further comment."

Burnley assistant manager Ian Woan is another who tested positive and the other two are at a third club, the details of which have not been revealed.