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Latest news from the Sheffield Live! teams

Driving test changes come into force

South Yorkshire Safer Road Partnership have welcomed changes to driving tests in England and Wales that come into effect this week. The new test format is intended to promote safer driving and includes updates to reflect common driving practices such as following a sat nav. The new test will also double the time required to be spent demonstrating independent driving. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Aidan Melville, communications officer for South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership.

Rough sleeper finds respite after four years on the street

A former rough sleeper who has been on the streets of Sheffield for more than four years has spoken to Sheffield Live! about the risks and difficulties of living life on the street. John Flynn, who until three weeks ago had only cardboard and a sleeping bag to keep warm during the cold weather, said life has been hard living outdoors over the last few years but he is happy now to have a roof over his head at the Salvation Army. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Tree protestors blockade Acorn depot

A group of tree campaigners mounted a protest by tying themselves together outside the depot of Acorn a sub-contractor in Darnall connected to tree felling programme in Sheffield. Acorn provides chipping machines to main contractor Amey. The action was part of the ongoing row over the decision to fell many of the city’s street trees. The blockade at the site involved nine protesters connected by climbing rope and preventing workers from leaving the depot. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Fitness for work gets funding boost

A Sheffield Council supported project has been granted additional funding to help unemployed people back to work by combining physical activity with access to opportunities to improve employability. Walking For Purpose operates alongside community partners who provide access to training workshops and employment guidance. Job seekers are met at a local venue from where staff will walk with them to community-based support centres. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to project manager Tom Hughes and cabinet member for culture, parks and leisure Councillor Mary Lea.

Zimbabweans abroad warned on complacency

Political analyst and community worker, Dr Nkululeko Sibanda, in an interview with Sheffield Live!, has cautioned Zimbabweans abroad not to get too excited about the new government. With the resignation of 93 year old Robert Mugabe after 37 years of rule many are hoping for wider political change, but new president Emmerson Mnangagwa has questions to answer about his role in episodes of political brutality and repression under the previous regime. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Extreme sports centre gets go ahead at former ski village

Sheffield’s ski village and surrounding area is set to be brought back to life as a ramped up Extreme branded sports, leisure and entertainment destination, Sheffield Council has confirmed. The Parkwood area is to be transformed with the prospect of bringing thousands of visitors and hundreds of jobs to the city as part of a £22.5m development across the 28 acre site that will include new mountain bike tracks and the re-instatement of Sheffield’s much-loved ski slopes. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield city centre to get free public Wi-Fi

A public Wi-Fi service is to be rolled out from next spring across Sheffield city centre providing free internet access for residents and visitors. The service is to be installed and operated by locally-based internet service provider Idaq Networks which will generate revenues from user data, advertising and corporate services. The announcement by Sheffield Council follows a tender process to select a suitable provider. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

British ice championship underway

The week-long British Figure Skating Championship 2017 is being held at Ice Sheffield and will see top performers compete for UK titles and to stake their claim for a place at the Winter Olympics 2018 in PyeongChang. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to technical controller Ann Findley.

Anti-slavery protest held outside Libyan embassy

Sheffield campaigners joined hundreds in a protest outside the Libyan embassy in London at the weekend to condemn torture and enslavement of African migrants attempting to transit through the country to enter Europe. The demonstration was held after a CNN investigation exposed the sale of Black African migrants at slave auctions in markets accross Libya. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Tree campaigner protests car towing

Tree campaigner, Martin Young, involved in a stand-off with Council contractors, said he was given no notice of removal of the vehicle from Lismore Road. Sheffield Council said signs were put up in the area warning residents to remove their vehicles to allow tree felling works to continue. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!