Julia Armstrong

Residents in Handsworth, Sheffield, are petitioning Sheffield City Council for an urgent pedestrian safety assessment at Handsworth Roundabout, near the junction of Handsworth Road and Sheffield Parkway. They cite the absence of a safe crossing, high traffic speeds and poor driver signalling as risks to children, families, elderly and disabled people accessing local schools and amenities, including the Asda Sheffield Supercentre. The petition, launched by local resident Simmone Mendez, had gathered 37 signatures and remains open until 16 August 2026.

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust will implement Palantir’s federated data platform despite Sheffield City Council’s opposition over the company’s links to ICE and the Israeli military. Other local NHS bodies remain cautious or have opted out, citing inadequate tools, competing systems or restrictions on data sharing. Councillors expressed concern about public trust, particularly regarding children and vulnerable patients, and sought further scrutiny through a meeting with trust representatives.

A Sheffield street preacher presented a 100‑signature petition urging the council to ensure fairness in any future noise regulations, arguing that amplified preaching should not face stricter limits than busking or public events. The council said street preaching is lawful but subject to restrictions to prevent nuisance and confirmed work on a voluntary code of practice covering volume, movement and obstruction. Officials stated there are no plans to extend the Public Spaces Protection Order to include amplified noise and assured the petitioner he would be involved in future discussions.