Louise McEvoy

Stevenage

Senior Reporter at The Comet

Reporter for @thecomet24 newspaper. Got a story? Tweet me, email [email protected] or call 07785 616267.

Articles

A1(M) carriageway and slip road closures for resurfacing works

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

For the next three nights, from 10pm to 5.30am, there will be carriageway and slip road closures from junction 4 to junction 2 of the A1(M) southbound for resurfacing works. A diversion will be in place. From 9pm on Thursday to 5am on Friday, from junctions 9 to 8 southbound, the A1(M) will be closed for horticulture (cutting and planting) on behalf of National Highways. The entry and exit slip roads at junction 9 southbound, and the exit slip road at junction 8 southbound, will also be closed.
Second Eid festival to be held at Stevenage's Hampson Park

1 week ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

The festival will be held on June 6 or 7 - depending on the moon sighting - with Eid prayers at 10am. Please take your own prayer mats. Until 1.30pm, there will be children's rides, bouncy castles, a bungee trampoline, inflatable slide and face painting. There will also be a children's entertainer and a special children's Nasheed performance. Refreshments will include pizzas, donuts, slushies, ice-cream, sweets and candy floss. Entry is free and everyone is welcome.
Two arrests in Stevenage after police intercept £400 worth of stolen goods

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

During a plain-clothed police operation in Stevenage town centre, a team of student officers spent several hours honing their search skills. A spokesperson for Herts police said: "With the assistance of CCTV, the officers tracked down a duo who were intercepted with a suspiciously sophisticated shopping trolley adapted to foil security barriers. "Luckily, in this case the only thing it foiled was their escape! Inside the trolley? More than £400 worth of stolen goods.
Stevenage nursery where 'ALL children love books' rated good by Ofsted

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

"Staff have high expectations of children's behaviour" at Twizzle Tops Day Nursery, Ofsted inspectors notes in a report following a recent inspection of the facility. "They calmly resolve any minor disagreements and frequently praise children for their achievements," the report continues. "This supports children to be keen and engaged learners.
Sexual assaults on our region's ambulance staff reach five-year-high

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

More than 490 sexual assaults on East of England Ambulance staff have been recorded over the past five years, with the number of recorded incidents rising from 51 in 2020 to 163 in 2024, according to new figures obtained by Sexual Abuse Compensation Advice (SACA) through a Freedom of Information request. Rachel Harrison, national officer for GMB, the union for NHS Works, said: "It’s an utter disgrace our ambulance workers suffer these attacks as they try to save lives.
Letchworth woman celebrates graduation after learning to read

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

Read Easy Stevenage and North Herts is a charity that provides free, confidential, one-to-one coaching for adults who want to learn how to read. Hazel, who joined the programme 11 months ago, has now completed the course and celebrated her graduation with family, friends and supporters of Read Easy at The Settlement in Letchworth.
Countdown to three-weekly bin collections in North Herts as new contract starts

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

Beginning this month, Veolia is taking over the waste, recycling and street cleansing contract for East and North Herts from Urbaser. In 2023, GMB Union members working for Urbaser at its Letchworth and Buntingford sites planned strike action over pay, before an 11 per cent pay rise was eventually accepted.
Police appeal after Baldock burglary - do you know this man?

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

On Sunday, March 23, police attended an address in The Gardens after reports that entry had been gained to a property via a patio door. A car key and a garage door key were reportedly taken, along with a wallet. Detective Constable Trudi Howell, from the North Herts Local Crime Unit, said: "I am appealing to the public to assist in identifying the man pictured, as we believe he was in the area at the time of the incident and may have information to assist with enquiries.
Stevenage HMO for 10 people approved despite 'serious concerns'

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

The proposed new HMO in Vardon Road has been met with objections from neighbours, with concerns including anti-social behaviour, noise and a lack of parking. A HMO is a shared house occupied by individuals who share basic amenities but do not form a single household. The planned development will provide a net increase of five residential units on the site. The conversion to a HMO will use the existing property footprint, without requiring any extension.
Fire next to track near Stevenage causes train delays on King's Cross line

2 weeks ago | thecomet.net | Louise McEvoy

The incident was reported at 7.15am and affected Great Northern, Thameslink and LNER services. The Great Northern service was affected between London King's Cross and Cambridge / Letchworth Garden City / Peterborough, and also between Moorgate and Stevenage. The LNER service was affected between London King's Cross and Lincoln / Leeds / Harrogate / Skipton / Hull / Newcastle / Edinburgh / Aberdeen.