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Anger over Hillsborough bus route cancellation

Hillsborough residents have been left angry and distraught at the decision of the First bus company to cancel the 52a route serving Wisewood and Lockley. The route was cut at the start of October with a replacement under a different operator offering less than half the previous peak time frequency and no Sunday, early morning or evening services. Over 1800 people have signed a petition to reinstate the service. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Hillsborough councillor George Lindars-Hammond.

City centre becoming “hard work” to navigate for the blind and partially sighted

Robert McCann told Sheffield Live! it is becoming more difficult to walk around the city centre for the blind and partially sighted due to the concrete blocks and flower pots that have been introduced in pedestrian throughfares. Robert McCann, who is severely visually impaired and involved in the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind said navigating the city was “hard work as more and more obstacles have been put in the way”. Baillor Jalloh reports.

Tramlines offers route to industry for new music students

Sheffield’s Tramlines music festival is partnering with WaterBear music college to offer opportunities for music industry students to gain real world experience. WaterBear are opening a Sheffield centre at the site of the former Gatecrasher nightclub with a suite of degree courses on offer and covering areas such as production, performance, songwriting and business. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Alex Deadman, press officer for Tramlines Festival.

Full-fibre broadband extended in Sheffield

Homes and businesses in Sheffield may soon be able to access superfast broadband speeds of up to 1Gb per second as infrastructure provider CityFibre extends its rollout of digital connectivity. The company has reported that over 500km of fibre internet has now been laid beneath city streets as part of it’s £115m investment plan including in Burngreave, Handsworth, Manor, Woodhouse and Richmond, with work ongoing in other areas of the city. Sheffield Live ! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to area manager for CityFibre, Natalie Ward.

Disability charity calls for more support on energy costs

Sheffield Mencap is calling on the government to do more to help charities with their energy bills. The disability charity, which provides services and support to people with a learning disability or autism have seen their energy bills rise by 165 per cent and have been warned to expect more next year. The charity says the six month support announced by the government is just a short term solution. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Award-winning restaurant to close due to energy bills

Blessone’s Kitchen, an award-winning African Caribbean restaurant and takeaway on London Road, is set to close as energy costs soar. Owner Paulina Francis was one of the winner’s of ITV’s Chopping Block and opened her restaurant a year ago. Like many others, the business has faced challenges including reduced footfall and the rising cost of energy bills. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

STAG founder speaks at street trees inquiry

Founder and chair of Sheffield Tree Action Group (STAG), Dave Dilner, was among those who spoke last week at public hearings for the independent inquiry into Sheffield’s street trees dispute. The inquiry was established as part of the co-operation agreement between Labour and Green groups on Sheffield City Council. The inquiry is chaired by Sir Mark Lowcott, whose former work includes senior roles in the civil service and the United Nations.

University launches new hub to support minority students

The University of Sheffield has launched a new centre to tackle institutional racism and give support to students of colour. The Centre for Equity and Inclusion will offer support to postgraduate researchers of colour, across the university, whilst challenging racism and other systems of power within and beyond the institution. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Alex Rajinder Mason, project manager for the new centre.

Iranian community concerns as protests escalate

Anti-government protests in Iran have entered their fourth week following the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, arrested by morality police for allegedly defyng the country’s strict dress codes. A sixteen year old protester Nika Shakarami went missing in Tehran on 20 September and was later reported dead. Sheffield-based human rights activist Manuchehr spoke to Sheffield Live! about the protests and the concerns of the Iranian community in Sheffield.