The Greater Cambridge Partnership has submitted plans to build the Comberton Greenway, which will connect the village to central Cambridge via England’s first cycle street

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CambridgeshireLive readers have heard that plans have been submitted to build England’s first cycle street in Cambridge as part of the Comberton Greenway. The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP) has lodged a planning application to develop the route.

The GCP says the application marks a major milestone for the greenway. Project manager Jonathan Camp said the progress wouldn’t have been possible without local landowners and farmers, and that the final design reflects community input. Surfacing materials were chosen to keep a rural feel, and crossing points for tractors were included as requested.

Early work has already started on some sections, including Adams Road, which will be England’s first Cycle Street. Once finished, the greenway will run from Comberton into central Cambridge.

Planning consent is still needed for certain sections, though work is already underway on key areas. In Comberton, there will be new and improved crossings and lower speed limits. In Coton, street lighting, road surfacing, junctions, and traffic calming measures will be upgraded.

The route starts in Comberton, moves north along Long Road towards Coton, crosses the M11 bridge, goes through Cambridge University’s West Campus, and follows Adams Road, Grange Road, and Sidgwick Avenue before reaching Silver Street.

Commenter Calumen Nomen says: “As a local resident, I can assure Mr Camp that no one in the community wanted any part of this huge waste of time and money. I invite him to reconsider his position. If he won’t, I have a question: the GCP must know how many people currently cycle this route. If there isn’t a clear and sustained increase in a year, will he and his colleagues publicly apologise for the inconvenience and wasted public funds?”

Campete2 said: “It’s hardly a ‘huge amount’ compared to the billions thrown away on road schemes that make congestion worse, a tiny pittance has been set aside to actually make things better.”

Puppypower thinks: “It could all be very interesting to use but for the very unsafe part going over the M11, it’s very uneven and only just wide enough for one cycle so until you widen it it is next to useless.”

John037 complains: “An activity which generally creates little revenue for the city, is going to have an unspecified sum spent on it in order to make life more difficult for those who work, but do not live in the city and possibly not the county.”

Freddly believes: “Projects like this need to take space from car and van drivers who do not cover the real cost of using it. Traffic congestion costs the UK economy billions each year and that is money car and van users are effectively taking from households without a vehicle. Councillors cannot keep pandering to drivers while leaving pedestrians and cyclists to fight over scraps of space.”

Whynot2 retorts: “I can’t understand how you figure that car and van drivers are taking from households without cars. And you completely left lorries out of the equation!”

Campete2 points out: “The reality is that motorists are heavily subsidised, so people without cars end up paying for those who do. Meanwhile, billions are spent on road schemes that often make congestion worse, a far higher sum than what goes to active travel. Motorists benefit most from active travel projects because they help reduce congestion. Low Traffic Neighbourhoods really help ease congestion on nearby roads. Putting money into active travel gives way more bang for the buck than road schemes, which can actually hurt the economy. If we want people to be healthier and the economy to do better, active travel is the way to go.”

Sany P asks: “Why not fix all the potholes on Cambridge roads first? That would make things safer for both drivers and cyclists. The potholes have been there for ages and should be the priority. Building new roads instead of maintaining existing ones is a pointless waste of time, money, and safety. Cambridge City Council has really perfected that approach in recent years.”

Catherine S agrees: “This is a crazy idea. The obvious way into Cambridge from Comberton is through Barton, which already has a designated cycle route that’s recently been improved. Going via Long Road and Madingley Road is a roundabout route. It’s a total waste of money and would destroy land, especially on Long Road. They should be fixing the potholes instead, I had to dodge them just yesterday on my way home. A rethink is definitely needed.”

Do you think the Comberton Greenway will actually make cycling into Cambridge easier, or is it just going to be another expensive project causing disruption? Have your say in our comments section.

One of the trio, Lee Kinnell, earlier did a ‘recce’, knocking at the door of the earmarked property and telling the occupants he was selling sunglasses.

But his true intentions were later revealed as he returned to the address overnight with associates Craig Rogers and Lee Justice.

The trio, wearing balaclavas and armed with an “ice-pick” hammer and machete, broke their way in through a patio door.

Once inside, they threatened a woman present and her dementia-suffering husband, laughing at him and threatening to behead their family dog.

Following a terrifying seven-minute ordeal, the intruders made off with a haul of clothes, jewellery, money and other sentimental items from the house, leaving the victims “traumatised”.

The trio was arrested and later charged with aggravated burglary.

While Justice, 53, and 44-year-old Kinnell pleaded guilty to the offence, Rogers, 46, denied it. He was convicted by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court in February.

All three appeared back before the same court earlier this month and were all handed prison sentences.

Craig Stephen Rogers, starting 15-year extended sentence (Image: Northumbria Police)

Rogers was also sentenced for an unrelated offence of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, while Justice was also dealt with for unrelated offences of aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Lee Justice, given a seven-year prison sentence (Image: Northumbria Police)

Justice, of York Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, received a total seven-year prison sentence, while Kinnell, of Budleigh Road, Kenton, Newcastle, was jailed for six years.

Lee Kinnell, who did a ‘recce’ at the targeted property, jailed for six years (Image: Northumbria Police)

Rogers, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, received a total 15 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by a further four years on extended licence

In a statement read at the hearing on her behalf, the victim who survived the attack spoke of the lasting impact of the incident.

She said: “Despite it being around two and a half years ago, I still have regular, terrifying flashbacks to the machetes and the masked men who smashed into my home.”

The court heard how she has struggled to sleep since it happened, due to “nightmares and paranoia at every noise”, she hears at night.

She also said her husband is in “bad health”, having suffered heart issues since the burglary, as well as having dementia.

Since the incident he has suffered “a downturn in his overall health”, and regularly discusses “lasting feelings of distress”, as a result.

The victim spoke about feeling “torn” as to whether to move away or stay at her home since the ordeal.

She said: “It felt like our safe place had been ruined by selfish, greedy people who have no care or thought for us in that moment.

“This whole incident has left us both traumatised, when we only look to live a quiet life.”

 Speaking following the outcome of the case, Detective Sergeant Sarah-Jayne Colquhoun, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a shocking and pre-planned attack on an elderly couple who were subjected to threats and violence by Justice, Kinnell and Rogers.

“What’s worse is that Kinnell had scoped out their home earlier in the day, posing as a shameless bogus salesman, before returning later that night.

“Thanks to collaborative efforts between CID, forensics and the Roads Policing Unit, we were quickly able to link the trio to our investigation and put them before the courts.

“Owing to the extensive evidence gathered, including stolen items recovered and DNA found, they were later all convicted of this horrendous crime.

“While no result will ever take away the fear and trauma that has been inflicted on this couple, I do hope they find some comfort in the fact the offenders will be behind bars for a lengthy spell.

“Violence is never acceptable in our communities, and we’ll do all we can to identify perpetrators to make them pay for their actions.”

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Should voters be required to prove they are US citizens and show photo ID before being allowed to cast their ballots?

Donald Trump is pushing for these changes and more in the SAVE (Save America Act) telling Republican lawmakers he’s “not going to sign anything until this is approved.”

In this episode, Justin and Anthony look at the politics of the SAVE act. Would it make voting harder and who would benefit? Also, we explain how the bill is linked with huge delays at US airports, and why Democrats are accused of blocking homeland security funding.

Plus, the Democrats have won a special election in Florida that includes Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach after first-time candidate Emily Gregory defeated Trump-backed Republican Jon Maples in a race for the open Florida District 87 state House seat. Just how worried should Republicans be ahead of the midterm elections?

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A new Covid variant spreading across the US has also been identified in the UK, health chiefs have warned.

The strain, known as BA.3.2, has been detected in nasal swabs taken from four American travellers and clinical samples from five patients in four unidentified states.

It has also been found in three aeroplane wastewater samples and 132 other samples taken in more than 20 states, suggesting its reach is far more widespread than what scientists can currently see.

US scientists have also raised concerns that the vaccines currently available may not protect against this variant.

The strain has also been detected in the UK and is currently being monitored, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Dr Nick Machin, consultant virologist at the UKHSA, said: “UKHSA is constantly monitoring all available data relating to emergent variants of SARS-CoV-2 through our surveillance programmes. As part of our routine surveillance, we regularly conduct analysis of the severity and detectability of the virus.

“BA.3.2 has been designated as a ‘variant under monitoring’ by the World Health Organisation and has been detected in the UK.”

The variant descended from Omicron, another variant of Covid, and was first detected in South Africa in 2024. The variant started to surge in September 2025 and has since been reported in 23 countries.

Omicron was first detected in Botswana and spread to the UK in December 2021. The variant caused a concerning rise in cases due to its high transmission rate, which put significant pressure on the NHS.

The new strain is “genetically distinct” from other JN.1 lineages that have previously circulated in the US, researchers warned in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

BA.3.2 carries approximately 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, a part of a coronavirus that allows it to enter human cells. That means it could be easier for the virus to spread and evade immune protection.

“The 2025–2026 LP.8.1-adapted mRNA Covid-19 vaccine demonstrates protection against currently predominant JN.1 strains but had the lowest antibody neutralisation against BA.3.2 in a laboratory study of seven variants, potentially affecting vaccine-conferred protection,” the researchers said.

Although it is new, there is currently no evidence that this Covid strain causes more severe illness than previous variants of the virus, according to the UKHSA.

“We are currently undertaking an assessment of its impact on diagnostic test performance and will issue further guidance to laboratories as necessary,” Dr Machin added.

“To date, there is no evidence that this variant is more transmissible or causes more severe disease than other recent variants.”

UK scientists do not currently believe the variant is any more of a threat than other strains.

“We can expect constant evolution to facilitate transmission but unless there is a rise in hospital cases there is no reason to suppose any new variant is more ‘dangerous’,” Professor Ian Jones, virologist at Reading University, told The Independent.

He explained the decision to update a vaccine due to mutations will likely be “more a commercial than a scientific decision”.

“If a company feels its vaccine is losing take-up because of a lack of efficacy, they will update it, but until that time, they will not respond to every change that comes along,” he explained.

Prof Jones stressed the population does have immunity against Covid now and the vaccine keeps the disease “in check”, even if it is not protecting against all strains.

He said: “I think we can take some reassurance from the fact that the monitoring systems have picked it up early, but that it is probably ‘just another variant’ that should be noted, but no more for now.”

Professor Paul Hunter, epidemiologist at University of East Anglia said he is “doubtful” Covid will “ever die out” and is not surprised by the new variant.

“We will continue to see new variants of the virus as long as humans still inhabit the planet,” he told The Independent.

“The issue is whether the new variant poses a significant increased risk to public health. It is likely that any new variant that is able to out-compete the other variants will increase infection rates but that does not mean that this will necessarily lead to substantial additional burden of disease,” he added.

The landlord has stripped the building back to a vacant shell

A building which was once a Poundstretcher shop in a Cambridgeshire town could be converted into a Pilates studio. A planning application has been submitted to Huntingdonshire District Council to convert Unit C on 3 Terbbutts Road in St Neots into a Pilates studio.

The building, which was once used for the major UK-based discount retailer, has been stripped back by the landlord to a vacant shell. The proposals include installing external signage and relocating the entrance to get the building ready for its new use. The floor plans show that the building would include a reception area, drinks fridge, and Pilates beds.

The site is located within the St Neots Conservation Area and lies near the Grade II listed United Reformed Church. The applicant plans to keep the scale, proportions and design of the front of the building unchanged to ensure minimal impact to the setting of the Grade II listed property.

In a heritage statement, the applicant said: “Overall, the proposal does not diminish the significance of the heritage assets and preserves the character of the streetscape.

“The proposed works are minor and designed to preserve the character and appearance of the St Neots Conservation Area and the setting of the nearby Grade II listed United Reformed Church. By reusing existing materials and openings, the development ensures the historic significance of the site and its context remains.”

Criticising the US war against Iran, he told Times Radio: “When I’ve been to every staff college in the military, in my career chain, they taught me three things. One, you must have a legal mandate before you put people in harm’s way. The second is you must have a plan. And the third, you must think to the end.

CHARLOTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — A professional cornhole player who’s also a quadruple amputee waived his right to an extradition hearing on Thursday, as authorities seek to move him from Virginia to Maryland, where he faces charges of fatally shooting a passenger in the front seat of a car he was driving during an argument.

Dayton James Webber, who is in police custody, took part in a court hearing in Charlottesville, Virginia, through a video call, wearing a bright green jumpsuit.

Alexander Goodman, Webber’s attorney, declined to comment. It’s unclear when Webber will return to Maryland.

“I am trying to go back to Maryland,” said Webber, who was calm during the short hearing.

Webber was arrested and charged as a fugitive from justice by police in Albemarle County, where police arrested him after the shooting in Charles County, Maryland, on Sunday night.

Webber, 27, was featured by ESPN in 2023 in a story of inspiration, noting he rode dirt bikes, wrestled and played football before becoming a professional cornhole player. In the same year, he wrote an essay for the Today show about how he became a professional competitor.

Webber allegedly shot Bradrick Michael Wells, 27, of Waldorf, after a heated argument, according to police charging documents.

Maryland police say Webber pulled over after the shooting in La Plata, Maryland, and asked two passengers in the back of the car to help pull the victim out, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office said. The witnesses refused, got out of the car and flagged down police officers.

Webber fled with the victim still in the car, the sheriff’s office said. Two hours later, a resident in Charlotte Hall, about a 10-mile (16-kilometer) drive away, reported a body in a yard. Officers found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

​National Car Parks Ltd’s proposal to turn a former hotel car park in Scarborough’s North Bay into a public car park for up to three years has been refused by North Yorkshire Council.

​The car park had been operating without permission since May last year, planners said, and added that approving the scheme would disincentivise the permanent redevelopment of the site.

​An additional “layer of uncertainty” was added by the applicant, NCP Ltd, going into administration earlier this month.

​“Essentially, the car park has been operating as a public car park for a period and there is no evidence that a long-term solution for the wider redevelopment of the problematic site has been produced,” officers said.

​​The site, at 143 – 147 North Marine Road, would have capacity for 21 cars.

​The planning application stated that the car park would have been temporary while the landowners consider the building’s future.

​“The hotel is in a prime location, walkable to Scarborough’s popular North Bay area and nearby attractions such as the Open Air Theatre,” a planning report notes.

​“Likewise, there is no evidence presented as to why the site cannot reasonably be brought back into holiday accommodation use, and an approval of a public car park does not serve in the interests of this.”

​Planning officers said the former hotel building had fallen into a poor state of repair internally and externally, and the council’s enforcement and housing standards had been aware of the building’s issue “for a while and have been taking action in an attempt to remedy the ongoing problems”.

​Eight individual objections were submitted to the planning authority, as well as a letter opposing the scheme, which was signed by 16 residents of a nearby residential block of flats.

​One neighbour, Wayne Thompson, said: “As the owner of one of the adjoining properties, I must object to the proposal on multiple grounds.

​​“It does not bring any opportunities or support to the local area or economy. It also seems to actively avoid mentioning the building associated with the site, which has been derelict for a very long time, with no plans being submitted by the current owner regarding any short-term or long-term plans for the site.”

Queen’S Parade, Scarborough. Google Maps

​Officers said there was “no evidence that the use has been abandoned, and the car park/site is therefore still directly associated with the former hotel.”

​They added: “It is in the interest of Scarborough, the local community, and sustainable development, that the site is redeveloped for an appropriate use.”

​The part-retrospective planning application was refused by North Yorkshire Council on Wednesday, March 25.

​

A gang of five men, Kile Straker, Ethan Colbourne, Kieron Atkins, Iranveer Gill and Stephen Simms, have been banged up behind bars for the shooting

A gang of thugs who blasted a mum through her front door in a horror shooting have been banged up behind bars for more than 80 years.

The group of five open-fired at a property in Dudley on July 3 last year, striking an “innocent” woman as she walked down the stairs of her home to get milk for her child.

Worcester Crown Court heard how Kile Straker and his ‘henchmen’ drove past her home on Priory Road three times before using a firearm. They sent five shots in “quick succession” just after 12.15am as the victim walked by her front door, reports Birmingham Live.

While the woman survived, she has sustained life-changing injuries. The bullet remains lodged in her hip as operating is considered too dangerous.

On Thursday (March 26), the culprits were sentenced with a combined 80 years behind bars.

• Kile Straker, 35, of Armstrong Drive, Wolverhampton, was handed an extended sentence of 35 years – made up of 30 years’ custody and an additional five years on licence – after being convicted of attempted murder and possession of a fireman with intent to endanger life, and admitting theft of motor vehicle
• Ethan Colbourne, 23, of Moat Road, Tipton, was jailed for 26 years after being convicted of attempted murder and possession of a fireman with intent to endanger life, and admitting theft of motor vehicle
• Kieron Atkins, 27, of Upper Church Lane Tipton, was jailed for 28 years after being convicted of attempted murder and possession of a fireman with intent to endanger life
• Stephen Simms, 25, of Alexandra Road, Tipton, was jailed for 10 months after admitting theft of motor vehicle
• Iranveer Gill, 29, of Bridgnorth Road, Shipley, was handed an eight-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, after being convicted of theft of a motor vehicle

The shots were fired from a grey Audi, which Straker used to own. He had kept a second key for the car so he could arrange for it to be stolen whenever he needed it.

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The Audi was pinched from a property in Wednesbury and then parked on a car park in Weavers Rise, Dudley, in the early hours of July 2.

At about 11.45pm, the Audi was driven from the car park to the scene of the shooting.

The victim, who is in her 20s, was taken to hospital and suffered life-changing injuries.

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Lockhart KC said Straker ‘decided that someone needed to die’ and that he was going to ‘target someone out of that address’.

It is by ‘the grace of God’ that the victim – who is not thought to have been the gang’s target – was not killed, he said.

The judge said: “It was a plan hatched by a criminal gang for a purpose, above and beyond a wish just to kill someone.”

He added: “You wanted someone within that address dead.

“You wanted to make sure that the bullets that you were to fire found their mark and killed.”

A fifth man, Kye Everitt, of Daley Road, Wolverhampton, was last year jailed for 12 months after admitting theft of a motor vehicle.

And after Tehran fired ballistic missiles towards Diego Garcia, ministers last week allowed Washington to use the bases for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships” in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route being throttled by Iran in response to the US-Israeli campaign against it.