Members of the Sheffield Tree Action Group have welcomed the findings of Sir Mark Lowcock’s independent report into the dispute on the felling of thousands street trees in the city. Campaigners Russell Johnson and Phillip William Yates, speaking to Sheffield Live! said they were content with the findings of the report and called for the resignation of councillors Terry Fox, leader of Sheffield Council, and Bryan Lodge who were heavily involved in the project delivery. The findings concluded the local authority should apologise for what the report described as “developing and adopting a flawed plan” to remove and replace street trees in the city. Baillor Jalloh reports.

The independent review into the felling of Sheffield street trees, published on Monday, has described a “failure of strategic leadership” at senior levels in the city council. The report, conducted by Sir Martin Lowcock, calls on the local authority to apologise for”developing and adopting a flawed plan” to remove and replace street trees in the city. Thousands of trees were felled as part of a £2.2 billion street maintenance contract, sparking public anger and residents’ protests. Lowcock accused Sheffield council of undermining public trust and of being “economical with the truth”. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

More than 20 schools from across South Yorkshire took part in the region’s first face-to-face school’s climate conference, held at Victoria Hall. The aim of the event was to engage pupils in learning about the climate crisis, possible solutions and how they can get involved. The event also included a climate related art competition. Sheffield Live! Baillor Jalloh spoke to some of the students participating and to Richard Souter, co-ordinator of the event.

With Sheffield’s Clean Air Zone live from the beginning of this week, hackney drivers in the city have told Sheffield Live! they fear the new charges will kill their trade. Baillor Jalloh spoke to Naheed Habib and Naser Bashir.

Sheffield’s new Clean Air Zone (CAZ) regulations came into force on Monday 27 February, meaning drivers of the most polluting vehicles such as taxis, vans and lorries will have to pay a charge to drive into the city centre and the inner ring road. Taxis will pay £10 while buses and HGV will pay £50 per day. The local authority says the charges will rid the city off dirty commercial vehicles, partly blamed for the poor air quality in the city. Sheffield Live! reporter spoke to councillor Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the Transport Regeneration & Climate Policy Committee of Sheffield City Council.