Lincoln road closures in the New Year

Lincoln City has pledged its support to a new campaign calling for changes to the legal system following the drawn out fight for justice for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

On April 15, 1989, during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, held at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium, 97 football fans went to a match and didn’t come home.

Overcrowding at the gates prompted the police match commander to open an exit gate, which resulted in a surge of fans going through into the stadium, too many for capacity.

Those in the standing pens of the Leppings Lane end were helpless, as 97 people were killed and 766 injured after fans were crushed in the overcrowded section.

What followed was a series of lies from South Yorkshire Police in an attempt to cover up what had happened, and feeding stories to the press that hooliganism and drunkenness of Liverpool supporters was the cause of this, the disaster with the biggest death toll in British sporting history.

Despite happening more than 30 years ago, families of the victims say true justice has still not been achieved, and the proposal of a new law has been pitched to try to prevent future heartache in other disasters.

The original inquests from 1991 ruled all deaths to be accidental, which was rejected by each and every victim’s family, who fought to have the case reopened, and in 2016 the cause of deaths changed to unlawful killing.

A look at the proposed changes in the Hillsborough Law.

Hillsborough Law Now has come from a review of the experience of the families, published in 2017 and detailing 25 recommendations on how the criminal justice system can be reformed in instances like this one.

The proposed changes in the law would order public officials to be truthful at inquiries into tragedies, as well as offering support for bereaved families and legal representation at inquests.

After generating support from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, the plans have also been backed by Liverpool Football Club, joined by Everton, Brighton, and now Lincoln City.

Imps chairman Clive Nates said: “The events of the Hillsborough disaster and the ongoing injustices suffered by the families of the 97 has resonated with so many who follow the game and the courage and dignity of those fighting for justice has been inspirational.

“I’m proud to lead a club that recognises the struggle of the Hillsborough campaigners and hope our support helps in the struggle to ensure that no one again has to suffer like the families of the 97 in their long battle for the truth about one of the darkest days in British football.”

Formula One has banned pre-race military flypasts for the upcoming 2022 season, but Lincolnshire’s Red Arrows are exempt from this and will still feature at this year’s British Grand Prix.

The sport’s governing body made the decision in a bid to reduce Formula One’s carbon footprint, but has said the RAF Scampton-based Red Arrows, along with any other passenger jets using sustainable fuels, can still perform flyovers pre-race.

Military displays have been somewhat of a regular feature on the Formula One calendar in recent years, with the RAF Aerobatic Team forming a symbol of national pride during the annual race at Silverstone.

The Reds flew over Wembley Stadium ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final in the summer of 2021. | Photo: Royal Air Force

The ban on pre-race flypasts will not affect the Red Arrows at the British Grand Prix, but Italy’s Frecce Tricolori will not be able to fly at Monza for the Italian GP, as F1 aims to achieve a net-zero carbon footprint by 2030, introducing a new engine with 100% sustainable fuels from 2026.

Silverstone Circuit’s managing director Stuart Pringle said the Red Arrows were a key part of the British Grand Prix and have been for a number of years, confirming the news that they would be allowed to fly over the track before this year’s race.

The Red Arrows returning to base at RAF Scampton. | Photo: Royal Air Force

He said: “The Red Arrows have played a significant part in entertaining motorsport fans since they first performed at the British Grand Prix in 1966 and I am pleased to say that Formula One has confirmed this much-loved tradition can continue at Silverstone in 2022.

“The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, are not classed as military aviation and, as such, do not fall into the category of those displays that will no longer be permitted at Formula One events.”

The Red Arrows team are currently training ahead of the start of the new season, which is set to begin in May, and details of where the team will be displaying are due to be announced soon.

Police are looking for a man in connection with alleged racial abuse against a woman on a train in North Lincolnshire.

British Transport Police have released an image in connection with investigations into a racially motivated public order offence at around 7.30pm on December 9, 2021.

The woman was sat on her own opposite a group of four men on a train travelling between Meadowhall in Sheffield and Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire.

During the journey, one of the men allegedly made a racially motivated comment about the woman, and officers believe the man in the picture may have information which could help with their investigation.

If you recognise him or know anything about the incident in question, contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 405040 and quoting reference 548 of December 9.