Coronavirus infections are continuing to fall during England’s third national lockdown, with some neighbourhoods now recording under 10 cases during a week. Government data shows there are plenty of encouraging signs that lockdown is having a positive effect, with cases rates across Hertfordshire much lower than what they were during the Christmas and New Year period. Watford was among areas that had seen a case rate of over 1,000 cases per 100,000 population at the start of January, but fast forward to now and that number has dropped to 215.4 during the latest weekly period (seven days to February 8).
What’s the latest situation in Watford
Neighbours have slammed a planned a 5G phone mast as “an eyesore” and a danger to traffic. Cornerstone, who manage planning applications for major UK telecommunication operators, have submitted plans with Vodafone to install a 17.5-metre mast with a new lamp fixture at the junction of James Close and Aldenham Road in Bushey. This would replace a 15-metre street lamp, while three cabinets would also be installed as part of the application. The application, which has been submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council, is intended to provide improved 2G, 3G, 4G and new 5G connectivity. But locals objected to the plans, having concerns over the visual impact it could have and that the mast and cabinets could block the view for traffic coming in and out of James Close and on Aldenham Road.
TEN YEARS AGO
Residents express anger at bizarre planning decision Residents and councillors have expressed their anger at a bizarre decision to grant permission for a block of flats on the site of a former Bushey pub. Proposals to build a three-storey block of flats on the site of the former Otter Pub, in Bushey Mill Lane, were twice rejected by the Bushey and Aldenham planning committee, in September 2009 and June 2010. But on the second appeal, planning inspectors overturned the committee s decision. Councillor Roger Kutchinsky (Bushey North, Liberal Democrats) said: I think it s a completely bizarre decision. I m shocked and disappointed the planning inspector decided to overrule us. This is an example of us being dictated to by central government and it is a monstrosity.
Hertfordshire Tier 4: The Herts neighbourhoods where infection rates have soared to over 800
There is significant worry over the new variant of the virus
Updated
Neighbourhoods in Broxbourne and Hertsmere are seeing a massive rise in cases
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Cases are rising across Hertsmere and neighbouring areas. Credit: UK Government Covid Dashboard The number of people living in Borehamwood who have coronavirus has risen steeply – as a top public health official warns of “extreme pressure” being faced by the NHS in west Hertfordshire. Figures published by the government show three wards out of four in the town – Cowley Hill, Hillside, and Brookmeadow experienced an uptake in cases in early to mid-December. The rise is in line with the rest of Hertfordshire which has recorded at least 6,000 cases in December, plunging the whole of the county into the toughest Tier 3 restrictions.