Work is due to start in the next few weeks on a £46m project to expand part of the Sheffield Parkway to three-lanes.

Image source, Google

The Department for Transport say the work along a mile-long stretch between the M1 and Advanced Manufacturing Park is aimed at reducing congestion and cutting journey times.

The money will be spent on transforming the existing road into a dual three-lane carriageway and improvements around Junction 33.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “The funding announced today will make a real difference to thousands of commuters’ journeys in the region every day, and further demonstrates our ongoing commitment to levelling up transport infrastructure in the North.

“By boosting the capacity on this vital A-road, and delivering this scheme in good time, we’ll help improve connectivity, cut journey times and boost local economies in South Yorkshire.”

The work is expected to be completed by Summer 2022.

BBC News Health

Coronavirus infections are continuing to rise rapidly, with an estimated 27,900 new cases a day in England, the Office for National Statistics says.

Image source, Getty Images

This is a 60% increase on the previous week, based on a survey of people in households with or without symptoms.

This figure is far higher than the number of confirmed cases announced by the government each day.

It comes as the highest level of restrictions are introduced in more of the UK.

The increase in people testing positive in recent weeks is being driven by high rates in older teenagers and young adults, the ONS survey, external says.

It found steep increases in infection rates in the north west, the north east, Yorkshire and the Humber.

The figures estimate that one in 160 people in England had the virus in the week to 8 October.

A Yorkshire fire service is asking people to respect fireworks as it prepares for a busier Bonfire Night than normal after many organised events were cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Image source, Scott Barbour/Getty Images

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (NYFRS) said people who decide to buy their own fireworks should remember how dangerous they are.

It added that the explosives in the wrong hands can "cause real misery".

Emergency services believe it may be a busier night than normal with more people celebrating in their own gardens.

NYFRS said people shouldn't throw fireworks, and stand back away from them once lit.

Station Manager Tony Peel from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Bonfire Night is usually a quiet night for us in North Yorkshire and we’d love it to be the same this year.

“Some people and animals are scared by firework noise so if you’re planning to let off fireworks please tell your neighbours, and avoid buying really noisy ones.”

A fourth person has been charged in connection with two shootings in the Arbourthorne area of Sheffield.

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Police were called to reports of shots being fired in Errington Avenue in Arbourthorne in the evening on Tuesday 30 June. More shots were then heard on Aylward Road.

Last night, Molly Mayer, 21, of Callow Drive, Sheffield was charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with the incidents, say police.

She is due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court today.

The arrest brings the total number of people charged in connection with the shootings to four.

Two men and one woman remain on remand awaiting their next court appearance.

CCTV images have been released of a man police want to speak after two women were spat at and a man was punched to the ground at Dewsbury railway station.

Image source, British Transport Police

British Transport Police said the incident happened at about 08:30 on Saturday, 10 October.

The force said one woman was pushed over by a man and spat on before the suspect urinated on a station access ramp and then tried to grab a second woman's purse after asking for money.

When a man intervened he was followed out of the station and punched to the ground.

A third woman was spat at while she was trying to buy a ticket at the station's booking office.

Officers investigating the incident want to speak to the man in the picture about the incidents and are asking the public to get in touch if they have any information.

BBC Sport

Leeds legend Rob Burrow has been named as chief guest "in absentia" for Saturday's Challenge Cup final between the Rhinos and Salford at Wembley.

Burrow announced in December 2019 that he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

The 38-year-old won the Challenge Cup twice as a Leeds player, scoring a try in their 2015 win over Hull KR.

Last week he turned down an invitation to attend the final, which will be played behind closed doors, in person.

But Rugby Football League chairman Simon Johnson said Burrow remains "central to the day and in all our hearts as he and the rest of the rugby league community this year watch the final from home".

Johnson added: "Rob represents the best of the sport. An inspirational player, a dedicated father, husband and son, and now an inspiration as a campaigner, Rob is beloved by everyone in rugby league and by many, many friends of our sport.

"For this highly unusual Challenge Cup final - with no supporters in the ground, and no traditional presentation of the trophy - we are delighted that he accepted our invitation to be chief guest in absentia."

Leeds legend Rob Burrow is named as chief guest "in absentia" for Saturday's Challenge Cup final.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Students are not to blame for tougher restrictions being imposed in York, health bosses have said.

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From Saturday the city will be moved from medium to high risk category meaning households will be barred from mixing indoors and also in pubs and restaurants.

According to the latest figures the infection rate in York is 274.4 per 100,000 in the week to 12 October.

But, a City of York Council question and answer session heard, only about half of cases among people aged 25 or younger are from students.

The city is seeing an increase in cases among all age groups, director of public health Sharon Stoltz said, adding that some students will “inevitably” become infected.

Ms Stoltz said: "Even though it's true it’s young people aged under 25 that we’re seeing the largest number of cases with – we estimate only about half of those cases are actually students."

Patrick O’Donnell, student union president, said students have been “discouraged” from going to bars in the city centre and Covid-safe venues have been set up on campus.

Councillor Darryl Smalley said students “bring so much to our city, not just to the economy but also to all of our communities, from volunteering, working and then hopefully eventually living in our city long term.

“Students are an integral part of what makes York so special.”

Police say they're "concerned for the welfare" of a 12-year-old boy who's gone missing from Bradford overnight.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Calab Montaut was reported missing yesterday evening from his home in Undercliffe.

He's described as white, 5ft 2ins tall, of slim build and wearing light-coloured shorts and a cream jacket.

Anyone who sees him, or has any information about his whereabouts, is asked to contact police.

England all-rounder Adil Rashid signs a new one-year white-ball contract with Yorkshire.

BBC Weather

It will be mostly dull and overcast today, with some sunny spells possible at times and occasional showers.

Tonight will be overcast and quite chilly with some showers and fog patches:

The leader of City of York Council is writing to the Health Secretary to ask for urgent government help to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, PA Media

Tomorrow the city moves to Tier 2 (High) of the government's three-tier system introduced on Wednesday.

That means different households can't mix indoors, including in pubs and restaurants.

Keith Aspen, leader of the City of York Council, says support is needed on testing capacity and a local track and trace system.

He says: "It's going to be really important that everybody in York follows the latest public health guidance and that we work together to get the number of cases down in the city.

"But it's going to be a real challenge without further support from the government."

Tommy Makinson scores a hat-trick as champions St Helens with a confident victory over a struggling Wakefield.

West Brom sign 23-year-old Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant for £15m.

People in London, Essex and York will be banned from meeting people outside their home from Saturday.

Assistant boss Danny Orr is to leave Castleford Tigers at the end of the 2020 season to seek new opportunities.

Several takeaways in Sheffield have been fined £1,000 each for "ignoring" coronavirus rules, the council says.

Image source, PA Media

The eight unnamed venues were fined for the first time over the last week.

The council said they were "a mix of cuisine types".

The businesses "ignored" advice and warning letters, the council said, and were visited following reports from the public as well as spot checks by the council.

Steve Lonnia, head of licensing at Sheffield City Council, said: “There is no excuse for any business to breach the rules which are in place to keep people safe, prevent the spread of infection and keep our city open.

"We will continue to monitor and investigate businesses to make sure they are doing their bit and in the case of takeaways, unless they comply with the 10pm curfew and the regulations with regards to delivery and collections we will be forced to take further action."

Wigan Athletic sign Rotherham centre-back Curtis Tilt on loan until January.

Students self-isolating at the University of York have been told to wait in their room in the event of a fire and let others out first.

Image source, Google

The university's Health and Safety Services told students to wait for a minute before leaving "to allow non-isolating individuals to exit".

In total 288 staff and students at the university have tested positive for coronavirus.

The guidance to isolating students stated: "When the alarm sounds; stay in your room for one minute then make your way to the nearest refuge (this will allow non-isolating individuals to exit the building)."

Self-isolating students were then asked to contact the university's Security Services from a refuge area and wait to be told if they needed to evacuate the building.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said officials had contacted the university after being made aware of the guidance.

The university said it had since "updated and changed" its guidance. however, it has not yet made it clear if the advice to self-isolating students is still applicable.

Rotherham United sign Derby County winger Florian Jozefzoon on loan until the end of the season.