Five metal art installations and information panels will be installed this week as work progresses on the Boultham Park lake restoration project.

Contractor Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January this year. Parts of the park near the main entrance are fenced off as works continue.

The project is set for completion in early April.

The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC

The lake improvements form phase two of the restoration of Boultham Park, which includes below water aeration equipment to improve water quality.

This will increase and stabilise the amount of dissolved oxygen in the lake and stop silt building up.

The project also includes bank restoration works, lake edge and woodland under-storey planting, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating, as well as the addition of a viewing platform.

Works include bank restoration, footpath improvements and access to occasional boating. | Photo: Emily Speed for City of Lincoln Council

The recently constructed metal art installations tell the story of the lake from the history of the site to the nature and wildlife it supports.

Volunteers have also worked on the project creating bat and bird boxes for the park, as well as planting trees, litter picking and plant clearing.

The project is being funded by the £658,700 given to City of Lincoln Council by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, along with city council funding.

The project at Boultham Park is set for completion in early April. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC

It is being delivered in partnership with Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

Once the project is complete there will be further opportunities for volunteering and skills building at the site.

Contract Ebsford Environmental began improvements to the lake in January 2021. | Photo: Emily Speed for CoLC

Councillor Bob Bushell, Portfolio Holder for Remarkable Place at City of Lincoln Council, said: “During this current time, we are all realising the importance of open spaces and the lake restoration work will help us to provide an even better site for wildlife, and attraction for both residents and visitors, with more ways for people to get involved in the park. I look forward to seeing the end product.”

There were 899 new coronavirus cases and 34 COVID-related deaths in Greater Lincolnshire last week – compared to 1,283 cases and 35 deaths the previous week.

The government’s COVID-dashboard over the weekend recorded 155 new cases in Lincolnshire, 60 in North East Lincolnshire and 41 in North Lincolnshire.

By Sunday evening, three COVID-related deaths were registered in Lincolnshire. These include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England also reported three new local hospital deaths – all at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust. This brings the total of hospital deaths last week to 24, a rise from 11 last week.

National cases increased to 4,228,520 while deaths rose to 124,501, however, daily deaths nationally dropped below 100 for the first time since October on Sunday.

More than 22.2 million first doses of vaccine have also reportedly been given out in the UK.

A graph showing Lincolnshire’s case numbers up to March 7.

Monday marks the return to school for millions of children in England. Many schools will phase their returns at secondary level while primary schools are expected to open for all pupils.

Last week, Lincolnshire County Council’s director of public health warned parents and carers not to forget lockdown rules on the playground.

SAGE scientists have already said this morning that it is “inevitable we will see a rise in cases” in the next few weeks, however, health bosses have previously moved to reassure that COVID is milder and less threatening in children.

From today, people in England are allowed to meet one friend outdoors but must remain socially distant.

Care home residents can also meet up with one named visitor, though they will be unable to hug or kiss them.

England’s lockdown easing started on Monday, March 8, with children returning to school, care home residents being allowed to hold hands with a visitor, and two people from different households able to meet outdoors.

All schools and colleges will reopen, and university students can return for practical courses.

Secondary schools can organise a phased return for their pupils to allow for COVID-19 testing, in which students will be tested from home twice a week.

Parents and staff in primary schools, plus all at secondary schools, are being asked to wear face coverings in class or on school premises.

Wraparound childcare can return for vulnerable kids, plus wherever it is necessary for parents and carers to go to work or get medical care.

Another restriction being lifted on March 8 is allowing visitors at care homes, though for now it can only be one person per resident, and they must wear PPE and have a negative lateral flow (rapid) test result to go.

Anyone visiting a loved one at a care home will be able to hold their hand, but will not be able to hug them yet.

Two people from different households can also meet outside in a public place, including going for a coffee or drink with someone.

What’s next on the roadmap?

The next step out of lockdown will come on March 29, when outdoor gatherings of six people or two households will be permitted.

Also on March 29, travel outside of local areas will be allowed, as well as the reopening of outdoor sports areas and ending of a legal requirement to stay at home — but working from home when possible.

Following that, non-essential retail, hairdressers and public buildings can reopen on April 12, and beer gardens will be open too.

Zoos, theme parks and gyms will also be given the green light to return on April 12, and weddings will be allowed up to 15 people.

Stage three, which comes into force on May 17, will allow for group meetings outdoors of up to 30 people, while six people or two households can meet indoors.

Hospitality venues will be able to have customers indoors from May 17, as hotels and B&Bs also reopen their doors and reduced capacity will be brought in for performances and large events, such as sports and music concerts.

This all leads to June 21, the date in which all coronavirus restrictions are hoped to be lifted, allowing for nightclubs to return and all legal limits on social contact, including keeping a two metre distance, to be scrapped.

The roadmap dates will only be met if the government deems it safe enough to do so, considering the vaccine rollout continues to pick up momentum and infection rates do not spike.