News in Twickenham

Covid-19 cases have leapt by 62% in the last seven days across the Richmond borough bringing the misery of Christmas in isolation.

Separately, official figures show that vaccination rates across the area are well below the national average, which means the local population is at particular risk.

Travelling home for Christmas has come with a warning that rail services will be severely disrupted.

South Western Railway (SWR) says scheduled engineering work will lead to a much reduced service over Christmas and New Year.

A temporary PCR testing centre in Old Deer Park is now operating seven days a week in light of soaring COVID-19 infections.

The move comes against the background of reports that the highly infectious Omicron strain of coronavirus is now dominant in London

Video call tablets are being offered to local people who risk missing out on personal contact with loved ones this Christmas.

Richmond Council has formed a partnership with Alcove to provide Alcove Video Carephone devices for free to people who might need virtual care, health and wellbeing support.

A home in Twickenham that's thinner than a London bus has dropped its price by over £100,000 in three months.

The narrow terrace house on Third Cross Road is now on the market for £549,950, down from £650,000 in mid-September when it was first listed.

Park Lane Stables RDA are officially the proud new owners of the home they previously had to vacate, it was announced today.

The beloved charity have finally picked up the keys to their home at Park Lane Stables today after a rollercoaster year saw them raise an amazing £1 million to stay in the borough.

A festive dog show saw more than 30 pups dressed up in their finery for a return of the annual Diamond Jubilee Gardens event.

These much-loved dogs and their owners padded down to the show last weekend, organised by the Twickenham Riverside Trust.

MPs have voted in favour of reintroducing some Covid restrictions as part of the prime minister's back-up plan to limit the spread of Omicron, despite a large Tory rebellion.

The 'Plan B' measures include the return of mandatory face coverings to most indoor venues, the introduction of Covid passes to large venues and compulsory vaccinations for NHS workers.

Plans by a developer to fell trees, including a mature Eucalyptus, in the Twickenham Green Conservation Area have alarmed residents.

They complain this 'wildlife corridor' behind the Prince Albert pub, Hampton Road, is being cleared by stealth ahead of a planning application.

Council chiefs have responded to reports of shortages of Covid lateral flow tests by making clear supplies are still available from many of the area's libraries.

The emergence of the Omicron strain of the virus has triggered a rise in demand for the tests and long queues for booster vaccinations.