Ambitious £40m plans for South Kesteven include new leisure centres, housing and even a festival

There have been 285 coronavirus cases in Greater Lincolnshire and eight COVID-related deaths so far this week – a 7% drop in cases and one less death from the previous week.

The government’s COVID-19 dashboard on Friday recorded 32 new cases in Lincolnshire, eight in North Lincolnshire and three in North East Lincolnshire.

On April 16, three deaths were registered in Lincolnshire and none in Northern Lincolnshire. These figures include deaths both in and out of hospitals, as well as residents in hospitals outside the county.

NHS England reported two hospitals this week so far, compared to none this time last week.

On Friday, national cases increased by 2,596 to 4,383,732, while deaths rose by 34 to 127,225.

In local news, Lincolnshire health bosses expect COVID-19 cases to rise in our region as lockdown is eased, but are optimistic that if numbers are kept low enough, then people will be free to enjoy the summer.

Andy Fox, Deputy Director of Public Health at Lincolnshire County Council, said the lifting of coronavirus restrictions this week had not caused any specific concerns yet.

Since Wednesday, Greater Lincolnshire has again seen a decrease in its infection rates overall, against an increase nationally.

All districts have seen a fall in their rates, except small increases in North Lincolnshire and South Holland. Lincoln has stayed the same and has the lowest rate in the region.

Boston has the highest infection rate of COVID-19 in Greater Lincolnshire and is ranked 9th in the UK.

Here’s Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates up to April 16:

Greater Lincolnshire’s infection rates from Apr 9 to Apr 16. | Data: Gov UK / Table: James Mayer for The Lincolnite

England’s R number has dropped slightly to between 0.7 and 1 according to the latest data this week. This means for every 10 people infected with COVID-19, they will pass it on to between seven and 10 others.

The new Indian variant of the COVID virus that’s been detected in the UK has all the hallmarks of a very dangerous virus.

It has two new significant mutations in the spike protein that help it infect cells and evade the immune system.

People are “likely” to need a third dose of the coronavirus vaccine within 12 months of getting the first two, Pfizer’s chief executive has said.

Dr Albert Bourla said a booster jab could be necessary “somewhere between six and 12 months” after the second one – and every year thereafter.

Coronavirus data for Greater Lincolnshire on Friday, April 16

Greater Lincolnshire includes Lincolnshire and the unitary authorities of North and North East (Northern) Lincolnshire.

58,919 cases (up 43)

• 41,028 in Lincolnshire (up 32)
• 9,275 in North Lincolnshire (up eight)
• 8,616 in North East Lincolnshire (up three)

2,185 deaths (up three)

• 1,613 from Lincolnshire (up three)
• 304 from North Lincolnshire (no change)
• 268 from North East Lincolnshire (no change)

of which 1,302 hospital deaths (no change)

• 810 at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (no change)
• 41 at Lincolnshire Community Health Service hospitals (no change)
• 1 at Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (no change)
• 450 in Northern Lincolnshire (NLAG) (no change)

4,383,732 UK cases, 127,225 deaths

DATA SOURCE — FIGURES CORRECT AT THE TIME OF the latest update. postcode data includes deaths not in healthcare facilities or in hospitals outside authority boundaries.

Plans to demolish part of a former play centre and Chinese takeaway to build 41 new student flats, have been submitted to the City of Lincoln Council.

Killingbeck PLG has applied for permission to demolish “most” of the existing facade of the former home of Imagination Station and Big Wok, on Beaumont Fee, and rebuild it as part of the development.

The main hall, a warehouse and a recently built “link block” to the rear of the building will also be demolished, and will be completely replaced with a new extension.

In documents to the council, the applicant describes how the 41”study bedrooms” will be en-suite and open off a central circulation area.

The build will form part of the Iconinc post-graduate residential units development next door and will sit opposite the Park Court student accommodation on Park Street.

It will include 12 apartments on the ground floor, 11 at first and second floor and seven units on the third floor.

How the build could look.

The application said: “There is a clear need for good quality, post-graduate, city centre, residential accommodation and the economic case for the redevelopment of the site is reinforced by the fact the site can be linked with the new Iconic development so amenities can be shared.

“The demolition of the existing property and the proposed redevelopment will bring positive benefits to the area economically and aesthetically.”

As part of the build, residents will gain shared access to existing facilities including the gym.

A major railway bridge in Grantham – Springfield Road – reopened on Friday afternoon following the completion of a £2.7 million project by Network Rail that took seven months to complete.

The project saw two railway bridges spanning Barrowby Road and Springfield Road strengthened to keep the railway running reliably and ensure people can pass safety underneath it. The bridges carry the busy East Coast Main Line.

The improvements to the railway bridge at Barrowby Road were completed in early December last year before work began on Springfield Road in January. Adverse weather conditions in February caused some delays to the work before Springfield Road fully reopened on Friday, April 16.

The east side of the railway bridge at Springfield Road in Grantham. | Photo: R S Mortiss

Springfield Road railway bridge has been closed since January 2021. | Photo: R S Mortiss

Network Rail teams have carried out vital repairs to the steel and brickwork on the bridges, as well as re-waterproofing them and re-painting sections.

The work was carried out in stages to make sure one of the two roads could stay open for the vast majority of the project.

A highways team on site sorting the traffic lights on Friday, April 16. | Photo: R S Mortiss

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: “This vital work to strengthen the two railway bridges in Grantham means they are fit for purpose for the future – to carry the East Coast Main Line and for people in the community to safely pass underneath them.

“We carefully planned the project to minimise disruption for people in the community as much as possible. The weather brought some challenges and we want to thank drivers, residents and businesses in Grantham for their continued patience while the work was carried out.”