Summary

  • GP receptionists to give medical advice

  • Winter shelter for homeless closes over staffing problems

  • NHS staff stung by parking price hike

  • Police warn motorists over icy conditions

  • £12m Lincoln footbridge reopens

  • Updates on Friday 1 December 2017

Live Reporting

Lizzie Musham

  1. That's all folks: Five things we learned today

    Harry Parkhill
    BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire

    That's it for our live coverage this week, thanks for your company.

    We'll be back on Monday with more coverage from across the county.

    In the meantime I'll leave you with five things we didn't know this morning:

    Have a nice weekend!

  2. Footbridge opening delayed

    Khia Lewis-Todd
    BBC Local Live

    A footbridge, which was closed for repairs after only 18 months being open, has finally opened today...

    After a six hour delay...

    footbridgeNetwork Rail

    The footbridge on Lincoln's high street was due to open at 0600 this morning but Network Rail says it wasn't fully reopened until 1230 today.

    Half of the bridge's steps were still closed at lunchtime.

    The delayed opening comes after a series of issues with the bridge, including wobbly paving slabs, poor drainage and crowds at the nearby level crossing partly caused by the repair work.

    We’ve made it clear that the quality of the bridge has not been to our high standards and have vowed to continue work on it until those standards are met. We hope that now it is open the footbridge will meet the needs of the community as a safer alternative to waiting at the level crossing barriers.”

    Neil Henry, Head of Operations at Network Rail

  3. Pictures: Huge Christmas bauble

    Harry Parkhill
    BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire

    Just picture the tree to go with this enormous Christmas Bauble...

    babubleJohn Bennett

  4. Lincoln City FC connection to World Cup draw

    Harry Parkhill
    BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire

    After spending the afternoon watching the World Cup draw, our local sports reporter realised he needed to find a tenuous connection to Lincolnshire sports...

    lincolnTwitter

    Anyone with a more tenuous connection to this afternoon's draw should email him directly.

  5. Hospital parking charge increase

    Martin Slack
    BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire

    I mentioned earlier that parking prices at hospitals for staff will rise today, but the hospital trust has also revealed that the cost for visitors is going up as well.

    parkingGetty Images

    From today, it will cost an extra 60p to park at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust car parks for over four hours.

    The cost will also rise by 20p for shorter stays of below an hour.

    The increases are minimal and in line with local government rate rises, and still remain competitive and lower than most other NHS Trusts in the region.

    Paul Boocock, Director of Estates and Facilities at ULHT

  6. Ejection seat manufacturer to appear in court over Red Arrows death

    An ejection seat manufacturer accused of breaching health and safety regulations following the death of a Red Arrows pilot is due to go on trial in the new year.

    Flt Lt Sean Cunningham died six years ago at RAF Scampton after his ejection seat activated whilst he carried out pre-flight checks.

    Sean CunninghamRed Arrows

    Appearing at Lincoln Crown Court today Martin Baker Aircraft Company Ltd agreed to a trial taking place next month.

    They have pleaded not guilty to a charge brought by the Health and Safety Executive.

  7. Two dogs seized after biting police officers

    BBC Radio Humberside

    Two dogs have been seized by police, following an incident in Cleethorpes.

    Humberside Police say they were called to a house in the resort following reports of two dangerous dogs inside.

    Police jacket

    They say two officers were bitten while dealing with the incident.

    Officers say the two dogs were sedated and taken under police care to safe kennels while inquiries continue.

    Superintendent Dave Hall, who oversees community policing operations in Grimsby, said:

    Steps will now be taken with the assistance of a qualified vet to formally identify the breed of one of the dogs, which we believe to be prohibited under the terms of the Dangerous Dogs Act. We are also progressing an investigation with regards to any other offences identified under the Act, including puncture injuries caused to two attending officers."

  8. Travel: Engineering work on Humber Bridge

    BBC News Travel

    Engineering work on the Humber Bridge is starting tonight from 19:00 until 06:00 on Monday.

    It means a contraflow will be in operation and the Humber Tag lanes will be closed.

    The Humber Bridge Board has apologised for any inconvenience.

    Humber BridgePA

  9. First arrest for drink driving campaign after 29 mins

    A drink driving campaign that began this afternoon secured its first arrest in under half an hour.

    A police campaign to counter drink and drug driving in East Lindsey only began today.

    Lincolnshire Inspector Colin Haig says a man has been charged for driving under the influence.

  10. Lincolnshire to benefit from British Xmas tree boost

    Linsey Smith
    Journalist, BBC Lincolnshire

    Lincolnshire Christmas tree firms are expected to benefit from a Brexit boost this year.

    The cost of importing European fir trees is rising because of the decreasing value of the pound.

    The British Christmas Tree Growers association says it expects more families to buy British this year because of the cost.

    This week, tree growers in the county are chopping down tens of thousands of festive firs .

    And although it's a busy time of year, grower George Overton says it's also a "lovely time".

    I enjoy this time of the year greatly, looking back. At the time it's very hectic trying to cut the biggest amount of trees in the shortest space of time but when the trees are leaving the shop and the families are leaving the shop, and you get a break right at the end it's a lovely time of year really.

    George Overton, Fillingham Christmas Trees

  11. Police clamp down on Christmas shoplifting

    Seb Tiley
    Reporter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

    Dr. Suess's Grinch may have tried to steal Christmas in the famous book, but this year a grinch is attempting to stop thieves stealing at Christmas...

    op grinchLincolnshire Police

    This is Operation Grinch, Boston's new initiative to cut down on shoplifters around the Christmas period.

    Officers will be patrolling the town, offering crime prevention advice to shopkeepers and keeping an eye out for known shoplifters.

  12. Council to review Toll Bar roundabout plans

    Lara King
    North East Lincolnshire reporter

    North East Lincolnshire Council has agreed to look again at plans to put traffic lights at a busy junction in Grimsby.

    The plans to change the Toll Bar roundabout on the A16 in New Waltham have been met with opposition, over concerns about congestion and the safety of pupils at a nearby secondary school.

    Toll Bar roundabout

    At a meeting last night it was agreed that a group of councillors will review the plans and look at alternative options.

    They have until the end of January to report back.

  13. Handbag theft in Boston

    An elderly woman has been targeted by thieves in Boston.

    She had her handbag stolen whilst shopping at a supermarket in the town.

    Police say they'd like to speak to the two people pictured to help with their inquiries.

    cctvRadio Lincolnshire

  14. Lorry drives into house

    A lorry has crashed into a house in a village near Grantham.

    It happened at Church lane in Caythorpe earlier this morning.

    Firefighters have been forced to prop the building up to stop the roof from caving in.

  15. Half as many breath tests as in 2010

    Corazon Garcia
    BBC Radio Lincolnshire

    There's been a huge drop in the number of people being breath tested by Lincolnshire police, according to new figures.

    Figures show that in 2010 the force tested 19,370 people under suspicion of drink driving.

    In 2016, the latest figures available, the force tested 8,403 people.

    That's a 57% reduction in the number of times the force tested drivers' breath.

    It comes as the Department for Transport says that incidences of drink driving are on the increase.

    Lincolnshire Police have been approached for comment.

  16. Stab teenager told 'all sentencing options are open'
    Breaking

    A teenage girl who has admitted stabbing a teaching assistant at a school near Scunthorpe has been told all sentencing options are open by a judge.

    The incident happened at Winterton Academy in September and left teaching assistant Joy Simon with serious injuries.

    The girl, aged 16, who can’t be named for legal reasons will be sentenced next month.

    Winterton Academy

    Today's hearing lasted less than an hour.

    The girl, dressed in an olive green coat, held her head low through most of the proceedings.

    She only lifted her head to plead guilty to one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and a charge of possessing a bladed article.

    As she left the court she looked over at her parents and gave them a small wave.

    She will be sentenced in January when mental health reports are expected to have been completed.

    I tell you expressly that all sentencing options remain open... I have not in any way, shape or form made up my mind as to the correct sentence to be passed"

    Judge Jeremy Richardson QC

  17. Girl pleads guilty to school stabbing

    A girl has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and possessing a bladed article after an attack at a school near Scunthorpe.

    Teaching assistant Joy Simon was seriously injured in the incident at Winterton Community Academy in September.

    The girl, aged 16, who can’t be named for legal reasons will be sentenced next month.

  19. Appeal after man dies in crash

    A man in his twenties has died after a car crash near Chapel St Leonards.

    His BMW collided with a white van on the A52 between Hogsthorpe and Skegness.

    The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

    Police are appealing directly for a driver who may have seen the crash on Wednesday 29 November.

    I am directly appealing for the driver travelling behind the BMW car to give me a call. There are many reasons why they may not have got in touch already, but please ring and speak to us.

    Sgt Dave Mitchell, Lincolnshire Police

  20. Parcels to help vulnerable in icy conditions

    Corazon Garcia
    BBC Radio Lincolnshire

    Parcels of hot food, drinks and pet food are being delivered to the homes of North Kesteven's most vulnerable and isolated people.

    grocery deliveryNorth Kesteven District Council

    The District Council's Winter Wellbeing scheme is back for a fourth year.

    Volunteers drop off the packs when temperatures are three degrees or lower, and when there's snow and ice.