News in Congleton

Snow and icy roads over the Christmas holiday made it one of the busiest winter spells for Cheshire East Council's highways service for some time.

And the council's household waste collection services have also been hit but crews are "working hard to clear the backlog".

Prime Minister Boris Johnson addressed the nation laying out new national lockdown plans.

In an address to the nation at 8pm on Monday evening, the PM set out 'further steps' - after existing tiers currently in place have failed to prevent the spread of coronavirus that has been driven by a new variant.

An Congleton-based GP practice will start Covid-19 vaccinations within the next fortnight.

Health chiefs are not naming the practice until they start providing jabs, but say its inclusion is part of a "significant expansion" in the roll out of the coronavirus vaccine across Cheshire.

Cheshire East Council leader Sam Corcoran says the authority will remain "dedicated to minimising the impact on the most vulnerable" in Congleton when finalising its financial plans.

He added that the pandemic has put the council "under acute financial pressure".

The leader of Cheshire East Council has implored residents to adhere to the new tier 4 restrictions which came into force today.

Under the strictest level, people have been told they must stay at home unless you have a "reasonable excuse".

Cheshire East Council says it is helping schools and colleges to put arrangements in place for a safe return to school in the New Year, following new government guidance.

The changes announced yesterday, (30 December) mainly affect secondary schools and colleges, with the start of the new term delayed for most secondary school age pupils. This is to allow extra time for schools to prepare for testing as many pupils and staff as possible.

The return to school after the Christmas holidays has been delayed for many secondary students, the education secretary has announced.

Students who are due to sit exams this year will return on 11 January, with others returning a week later.

Firefighters dealt with a vehicle blaze in Congleton earlier today (Wednesday).

The incident took place on Moor Street at 10:44 this morning, with one fire engine from Congleton attending the scene.

Cheshire East will move into the tightest Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow, Matt Hancock has confirmed.

Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon (Wednesday, December 30), the Health Secretary outlined that both Cheshire West and Cheshire East are to move from Tier 3 to Tier 4 controls.

Cheshire's police and crime commissioner, David Keane, is calling on the government to protect women and older people within hate crime law.

Existing hate crime laws do not recognise gender or age as a protected characteristic but the commissioner says there is clear evidence for misogyny and elder abuse to be recognised in law.