Network Rail is upgrading the worn-out 1970s signalling, hoping to improve reliability.

Katie Frost, from the operator, says less people travelling over Christmas means it’s the best time to do large-scale work.

A junction near Battersea will also be completely rebuilt to house the equipment, cable routes and power points from Balham to Victoria.

There’ll be limited replacement buses and tickets will be accepted on other routes.

From my family to yours, wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas this year. 🎄 pic.twitter.com/FMrig23j65

— Ed Davey MP 🔶🇪🇺 (@EdwardJDavey) December 24, 2021

The council has been delivering the packages, which are filled with gifts from the borough’s traders. 

There are 106 families currently living in bed and breakfast.

 This is down to reduced income, job losses and illness. 

The authority’s director of public health, Shannon Katiyo, says residents need to put it at the top of their “to-do” list.

The advice is also to take a Lateral Flow Test before you meet others.

Katiyo says although the number of residents ending up in hospital with COVID is low, the Omicron variant is causing a “rapid rise” in cases.

Improvements to Old York Road bridge include the replacement and repainting of all panels and the jet washing of walls.

The council will also be upgrading the lighting under the bridge to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users.

The council has contributed £400,000 towards the cost of the Network Rail scheme.

Residents will elect 63 councillors in 25 wards. 

The council is looking to recruit people to run polling stations and count the votes. 

The elections take place on May the 6th. 

Police were called to Pinewood Avenue in New Haw following reports of a burglary between 5.15 and 8.30 last night.

The three suspects broke in via a patio door at the back of the house.

They were seen leaving in a black Volkswagen Polo.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

38-year-old Artem Terzyan from Russia was sentenced to 17 years in prison, and 44-year-old Deivis Grochiatskij from Lithuania, to 16 years at Kingston Crown Court.

Both men, plus other members of their criminal network, opened bank accounts in the names of various fake companies they had set up.

At present, police have recovered only £17,000, with the rest sent abroad.

Alice Fevronia was diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager.

She also judged a charity bake off event that raised over £400 for the hospital.

The new piece of equipment provides up to 50 times less radiation than a traditional X-Ray machine, making it considerably safer.

The force is cracking down on it over Christmas and says anybody convicted will be publicly named.

More than 60 people have been arrested.

Wayne Dalphinis was attached to the North East Command Unit when he was caught with half an ecstasy tablet in July.

He resigned in September, but a hearing has found charges of gross misconduct were proven anyway.

He had only joined the police recently and was on his probation at the time.

Elmbridge still has the highest in the county, at 1,750 per 100,000 people.

They’re continuing to rise sharply, up just over 75% on last week.

England is posting record numbers of cases, with 100,000 cases recorded on Wednesday.

The British teenager became the first qualifier to ever win a tennis Grand Slam by clinching the US Open, while she also impressed on her debut at Wimbledon.

That's increased expectation on the 19-year old but she's only focussing on herself.

Croydon Voluntary Action set up a “food hub” at the start of the first lockdown.

The borough was forced to introduce special measures in order to avoid bankruptcy in November last year, and has scaled back operations.

Council leader Hamida Ali says there have been “difficult decisions” and economic uncertainty has been heightened by COVID-19.

The RMT has revealed its members will stage overnight walkouts on the Central and Victoria lines from 8.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays until June.

London Underground insists it's disappointed, and is calling for further talks.

The Union says it may broaden its strike to other lines if the transport operator fails to respond to its demands.

It’s also been staging action on the Northern, Piccadilly, and Jubilee lines in recent weeks.

A number of items including jewellery was stolen from a property on The Warren.

It’s thought the incident happened sometime between midday on Saturday the 18th and midday on Monday the 20th.

It’s currently under investigation, anyone with CCTV in the area is urged to contact police on 101.

The five-time runner-up last appeared at the tournament in 2019 after admitting that the Melbourne event could be his last.

Murray is continuing to work his way back up the rankings following hip surgery and had been due to compete last year before a positive coronavirus test.

It focuses on five priorities as a service, including affordable housing and the environment. 

Seven “values” including dependability and value have also been set out.  

A copy of the plan, and what this means for residents, can be found on the council website under Corporate Plan.

Last year, the All-England Club’s pandemic insurance covered the financial hit, although that couldn’t be secured this year.

In 2019, the club made just under £51m, according to details released to members.

The Lawn Tennis Association will receive most of the profits, promoting the sport from the grassroots through to the professional level.

That’s according to latest figures released by Sport England which says children are mirroring the trends of inactivity in adults.

The Chief Medical Officer advises that under 16-year-olds should be spending at least 60 minutes a day with travel, play or sport.

It’s feared that inactivity is a hidden consequence of COVID and has implications for mental and physical health in the short and long term.

That’s according to a report given to MPs and seen by The Guardian.

It says that the UK’s commitments have grown since the initial proposals, and therefore the costs have risen.

A spokesperson for the airport says reducing carbon emissions is a “central consideration” and they’re “confident” they can meet targets.

This is the idea that everything should be a short walk or cycle away. 

The aim is to promote “cleaner and healthier lifestyles” surrounded by strong economies.

Residents are being invited to share their feedback on the idea on the council’s website by January the 31st. 

On the 27th of November, police were alerted to suspicious activity on an account, after large sums of money were withdrawn.

The 87-year-old owner of the account was found to have had the money defrauded from her over the course of at least five weeks.

A 26-year-old has been interviewed, and has been bailed to return later this month.

He's also confirmed they had five more positive Covid-19 cases following their draw with Chelsea last week.

Two top flight games that day are already off.

But Benitez is surprised their next fixture is going ahead.

The two sets of twin boys, Kyson and Bryson Hoath, aged four, and Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three, passed away last Thursday.

They were alone in the house in Collingwood Road when the blaze broke out.

A 27-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of child neglect, has been bailed until January.

Police have just released details of the incident on the 20th of November on Riverholme Drive.

It’s belived they entered the property at around 1pm, and took Ferrari and Red Bull branded watches.

You can find pictures on our Jackie News Twitter feed.

People in the area have been complaining of service outages and serious delays.

The area’s MP, Stephen Hammond, says he met CEO Simon Thompson to discuss the issue yesterday.

They’ll be meeting again “in the New Year” to speak about the “issues” and how to improve the service.

In January last year, police raided an address in Tower Hamlets, and found the cash in a suitcase.

31-year-old Emil Savastru was later arrested at Heathrow while waiting to board a flight to Japan.

He refused to give any information about how he got them or what he planned to do with them.

He’ll be sentenced in February.

Police were called just before 8pm yesterday after reports of a vehicle in a collision with a woman.

She’s believed to be in her 30s and her condition is not believed to be life threatening, although she was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

The Cayman Islands, Gibraltar and the Falklands are also competing, as it's the first time overseas territories have been eligible to apply for the title.

The winner will be announced in spring next year.

They'll face London rivals Tottenham in the last-four.

Boss Thomas Tuchel says it'll be a good tie.

 That’s according to London Councils, which represents the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation. 

It’s been five months since thousands of people were evacuated from Afghanistan following a planned withdrawal of troops. 

Dr Nooralhaq Nasimi is the founder of the Afghanistan and Central Asian Association in Feltham. 

Coronavirus rates in Surrey have seen a sharp spike over the past seven days.

The rate across the county has jumped 77% to a rate of nearly 1,270 per 100,000 people.

However, the county has a higher rate of booster take-up than both the South-East and England.

Epsom and Ewell has seen the biggest increase, jumping 147%, to a rate of over 1,500.

More than £4 million has been invested, with residents invited to report the streets they felt needed attention.

Hounslow’s roads were already ranked as the top borough in London in terms of their level of maintenance.

Hounslow Highways, which delivers the road services, is also responsible for street cleaning and the removal of fly-tipping.

Roman Abramovich has received an apology from publisher HarperCollins.

It’s after the company printed claims that Russia's president Vladimir Putin ordered him to buy Chelsea.

The Premier League club's owner has accepted a settlement in a defamation case, which will go to charity.

The council run “Rough Sleeper Dual Diagnosis Service” has helped 14 people enter rehab in the last two years.

Trained officers patrol the borough’s streets to identify anyone who might benefit from the service.  

Those who do,  are helped into accommodation and receive personalised support plans including counselling, detox and rehab.

 Thomas Tuchel’s side is down to the bones with injuries and Covid.

The names of the players have not been confirmed yet but 14 youngsters took part in training this week.

Kick-off is at 7.45pm  at the Brentford Community Stadium.

But it's been another record day for vaccines too - closing in on a million booster doses given.

There've been six-million in the last week, alone.

Dr Zakir Bukhari is one of the GP leads at a clinic in Streatham.

It’s to be built on a site bordered by the A4 Great West Road, the M4 and the North Circular.

It will have 234 apartments, a 197-bedroom hotel, and room for 25 motor companies to exhibit new technologies.

As part of the approval, a £3.2m contribution will be made towards renovating Gunnersbury and Kew Bridge stations.

More than 128,000 people received vaccinations across six boroughs last week, including 116,000 boosters. 

That topped the previous daily vaccination record set this May.

That record saw just over 92,000 jabs administered in Merton, Wandsworth, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Croydon.

Mr Bailey resigned his position as chair of a police and crime committee after a picture of the incident was published in the Daily Mirror.

The Met says they do not normally investigate breaches of COVID regulations long after they’re said to have taken place.

However, they add that if “significant evidence” suggesting a breach of regulations becomes available, officers may consider it.

The 35-year-old was at a silent disco in Birdhurst Road on the 2nd of October, shortly before being attacked in a car park.

His family have released an open letter, saying to those responsible, “you know who you are, you have broken dozens of people’s hearts”.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers, who are offering the reward for anything that leads to a conviction.

Many restaurants and pubs in London are experiencing less footfall or have decided to close completely until the new year. 

Rachel has been a volunteer at Wandsworth Foodbank since 2015. 

She says the banks are about much more than handing out food. 

They aim to reach the last-four of the competition for the second successive season when they host European Champions Chelsea this evening.

Frank says now they're in the top-flight the club should be targeting trophies.

 The authority is going to receive over £38 million from the Mayor of London’s new fund in order to do it.

“Right to Buy-back” gives boroughs and council-owned housing companies the ability to purchase homes from the open market.

These homes can then either be let at social rent levels or used to prevent homelessness.

73-year-old Keith Bettison called police to his home in October last year, saying he’d killed his wife Ildiko.

He pleaded not guilty, despite admitting to causing her death at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Vicky Tunstall says “this was a needless act of extreme violence fuelled by uncontrolled anger and alcohol”.

He’ll be sentenced in January.

A number are out following positive Covid-19 tests, while N'Golo Kante and Matteo Kovacic will be rested after only returning from injuries at the weekend.

Tuchel says he'll play a young side to protect the health of his squad.

It’s as many bookings have been cancelled amid the surge in Omicron infections.

Marie is a volunteer at Wandsworth Foodbank.

She says anyone can find themselves having to use one.

On the 3rd of April, Ryan Collins’s car left the road, crashed through a barrier, destroyed several trees, before crashing into a large tree.

He’s been found guilty of drug driver and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

He’s been given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, disqualified for two years, and fined.

St Paul’s Girl School has been named Independent Secondary School of the Year for 2022.

Between 2017 and 2019 pupils achieved a rate of 99.4% A* or A, or 9-7, at GCSE.

Fees cost nearly £9,000 per term at the private school.

Teams led by workers at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers have developed a standard that is also being used by the NHS.

The units use UV to kill the virus, and reduce the need to have windows open during the winter.

Justin Dachtler, Headteacher at St Teresa’s Primary School, says clean air helps “good attention span, health and wellbeing”.

They include Ashburton and Grangewood Parks.

The £500,000 funding for the upgrades is coming from the council’s Playground Investment Programme.

The plans include new seating with good visibility for parents and new play equipment for children of all ages. 

Former Prime Minister David Cameron announced in 2015 that the UK would take in 20,000 refugees over 5 years.

Kingston was one of the first councils in the country to sign up to the resettlement initiative.  

He received messages containing racist language and emojis on Instagram after the Championship leaders lost 1-nil to Sheffield United last night.

Kebano shared screenshots saying "things like that don't affect me at all" and that he "just wanted to expose the guy".

They've slipped six points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after starting the month on top of the table.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Bosnich hopes the return from injury and illness of two of Chelsea's key midfielders can help get them back in the title race.

Rail firms are blaming coronavirus-related staff shortages for widespread cuts to services ahead of Christmas.

Epsom, Sutton, Croydon, Tadworth and Ewell stations are due to be affected by this.

Passengers are being urged to travel as early as possible to ensure they reach their destinations.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who owns Longcross Estate in Chertsey, will also have to make ongoing payments to his two children.

The sum is thought to be the biggest ever divorce settlement handed out by a court in the UK

Tite Street takes over from Avenue Road near St John’s Wood, according to Halifax.

South Ridge in Weybridge is the most expensive in the South-East with a house there setting you back an average of just over £7.1m.

Closely following it is East Road in Weybridge, which boasts prices of just under £6.9m.

Tim Crosland leaked the decision to allow a third runway at Heathrow 22 hours before it was officially made public.

The Supreme Court later found him in contempt, something they unanimously held to yesterday.

He’s been fined £5,000 with £15,000 of costs.

The data, for October and November, has been collected by the South West London Infection, Prevention and Control Forum. 

The research also shows having the two doses plus the top-up means people are eight times less likely to get seriously ill with Covid-19. 

Over the next week, opening hours for vaccine centres will be extended and the number of appointments dramatically increased. 

Online bookings are also available for everyone aged 18 and over from Wednesday.

The data was compiled for St George’s Hospital, Kingston Hospital, Croydon University Hospital, Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital.

Manager, Kingston First, wants financial support provided to retailers in the borough.

It says rising Covid infection rates are having “a devastating impact” and have left the Christmas trading period in “tatters.”

Hospitality is the UK’s third largest sector, employing 3.2million people and produces £130 billion of economic activity.

Theivendram Sivendran, who previously owned the Church Mini Market, pleaded guilty when he appeared in court.

 He was in possession of counterfeit Amber Leaf rolling tobacco and packets of Marlboro cigarettes intended for sale in Eastern Europe. 

 As they were manufactured for a foreign market, the cigarettes had no English-language health warning on them. 

In May, 33-year-old John McCann from West Drayton was pursued at 110mph along the M25 and M3.

He was drunk at the time and using false plates.

Yesterday, he was convicted of a number of crimes and bailed for sentencing in January, but tried to drive home.

He pleaded guilty and has been remanded to HMP Wandsworth.

 Richmond Council had already decided to turn down plans for more than 400 flats in 2019 saying not enough of them were affordable.

 The final decision still lies with London Mayor, Sadiq Khan. 

But people have until January the 6th instead to comment via the Greater London Authority’s website. 

The squad had planned a celebration after beating Cardiff, but scrapped the plans in the face of the Omicron variant.

65,000 tickets have already been sold, with the hopes more will buy on the door.

It takes place on the 27^th.

Thomas Schreiber launched the attack at Sir Richard Sutton's Dorset country estate near Gillingham in April.

Winchester Crown Court heard family arguments had descended into violence on three previous occasions.

After the attack, Schreiber took Sutton’s car and led police on a high-speed chase before officers carried out a “hard stop” in Hammersmith and apprehended him.

One of Lord Richard Rogers’ early works was in 1967, designing a house for his parents in Wimbledon, overlooking the common.

He also designed the Welsh Government building, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, and Heathrow Terminal 5.

He won most of the industry’s major honours, and was created Baron Rogers of Riverside in Chelsea in 1996.

It’s after an incident in Queens Road on Friday. 

43 year old Marcin Szyszkowski from Epsom is due to appear in court next on January the 17th.

He’s also charged with drink driving.

There have been reports of burglaries in Dorset Road, with somebody breaking in to steal Christmas presents.

The incidents happened at around 4am on Saturday, and police are asking for any CCTV of that time.

We’re being urged to not keep presents in the shed if possible.

On Wednesday, the man was found in Tilton Street in a Range Rover that was stolen an hour earlier.

When he tried to drive at the officers, the vehicle was stopped and the driver was handcuffed.

One officer received an injury to his foot and is at home recovering.

Dave Lewis was brought into the supermarket in 2014 after a £250m accounting scandal.

He’ll head up the consumer arm of the drugs giant.

He got the nickname “drastic Dave” during his 27 years at Unilever, where he would control costs with job cuts and dropping products.

The image, apparently from May 2020, when the country was under tight restrictions, includes the Prime Minister, his wife and baby.

Campaigners, who lost loved ones to coronavirus, say the photo makes them feel "sick".

Six out of ten top flight matches were postponed at the weekend.

Chelsea also wanted their game with Wolves yesterday to be called-off.

Boss Thomas Tuchel feels too much is being asked of the players, even those who haven't tested positive.

It's reported the image was taken in May 2020 - when outdoor social gatherings were limited to just two people.

A Government spokesman says Covid rules weren't broken, because it was a work meeting.

But after claims of numerous other parties recently, Labour's Putney MP Fleur Anderson's not happy.

A Covid-19-hit team slipped six points behind leaders Manchester City.

Tuchel did ask for the game to be postponed due to their coronavirus cases.

27-year-old Sean Deery of no fixed address and a 15-year-old are both accused of the killing of Farhad Khalili.

Police were called to Surbiton Road just after 7pm last Wednesday.

The 32-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anthony Osborne had Covid last year and wanted to say thank you to the hospital for all their help when he was unwell.

With the NHS predicted to experience increased pressure over the Christmas period, Anthony and his wife Claire are set to deliver more drinks and food hampers to Kingston Hospital to remind the staff how appreciated they are.

The device is called the Alcove Carephone and is designed for those who have little to no technological experience.

Those who qualify for one will have their family and friends contacts installed and this will allow them to video call loved ones.

They can also use the tablets to schedule messages or reminders, such as medication or memory prompts.

Situated outside the Six Bells pub, it’s to show support and solidarity with the LGTQ+ community within the borough.

The inspiration came from members of the West London Queer Project who live in area.

Cllr Katherine Dunne says it shows their “commitment to inclusion” and that they aim to “stamp out hate in all its forms”.

Thomas Tuchel had requested a postponement of the game due to a Covid-19 outbreak in their squad.

Despite that, the Chelsea boss tells us he was pleased with the performance.

The scheme is being funded by £400,000 set aside earlier this year.

Almost a quarter of secondary school pupils in Merton are eligible for free school meals.

Families will receive £15 in supermarket vouchers every week for every child via their school over the Christmas holiday. 

The borough had the largest rate of Covid infection in London at the start of the month.

The council says it was down to transmission by children in primary and secondary schools. 

The mobile PCR testing facility based at Old Deer Park will now stay open 7 days a week by appointment only for those with symptoms. 

The 70-year-old man was arrested in Southwark at 1.45am this morning. 

The arrest relates to a video posted online where people encouraged to burn down MP’s offices.

The man remains in custody at a central London police station. 

There have already been three rounds of consultations with residents, about the Cheyne site in Thorndike Close.

But the council says concerns about the look of the proposed buildings have caused the pause. 

Officials say they’ll reconvene in the new year.