Express and Star

People living along a busy road through Wednesbury have called for measures to cut speeding, external.

Motorists have been hitting double the 30mph speed limit along Myvod Road near two schools. Residents also claim to have seen other problems such drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.

They have now asked for better enforcement by police.

Charlie Slater
Weather Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

A rather grey and grizzly start to this week unfortunately. That's not to say that we won't see some brightness this morning though.

There's a lot of cloud around today though.

For the latest forecast visit BBC Weather or follow the team on Twitter.

Michelle Dawes
Journalist, BBC WM

Coming up in the news at 09:00 on BBC WM: We can reveal that there's a postcode lottery in the West Midlands when it comes to support for children with special needs.

Hear more on this story in the bulletin shortly.

Adrian Goldberg
Presenter, BBC WM

We're asking you about tattoos - have you got one somewhere that's not visible?

It's after a Villa fan announced she wants a tattoo of Gaby Agbonlahor on her backside, external to celebrate his 300th Premier League match.

Image source, jack sparrow

Jack Sparrow emails: "Despite my appearance I am a really nice, kind, caring, intelligent and articulate bloke, my tattoos keep the weirdos of this world at a distance which suits me fine.

I was in the prison service for almost a decade and on occasion inmates would comment saying "Boss, you look like you should be our side of the bars".

Cath Mackie
BBC Midlands Today

What's going to be really fascinating later is that we are live streaming the gallery while Midlands Today is on air at 18:30.

As Nick Owen talks to camera, viewers will be able to log on and see just what the director and rest of the gallery team gets up to, and what they're really saying through the earpiece.

Watch what it's like working in the gallery here.

A 22-year-old man has been charged over a hit-and-run outside The Hawthorns football ground, external that left a female pedestrian with multiple fractures.

Tomasz Kolakowski, from Trinity Road, Aston, is set to appear before Sandwell magistrates on suspicion of hitting the 20-year-old at about 15:00 on Friday in Birmingham Road and driving off from the scene.

He has been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving, failing to stop at scene of collision, and driving without insurance or a valid licence.

David Jennings
Head of BBC West Midlands

Today is BBC Birmingham Access All Areas day. You're very welcome!

On this page, see films about the work we do at BBC Birmingham - from the making of the Archers to the technology that makes us the broadcast nerve-centre for BBC English Regions.

Why are we doing this?

It's all part of Birmingham Digital Week. Read more about it and how you can be part of some of the sessions we're running online. We've got everything from a Games to Business Days.

A Birmingham man, formerly detained at Guantanamo Bay has denied claims that he helped train the British man known as Jihadi John., external

Image source, youtube

Moazzam Begg spoke out on YouTube, external last night claiming he's been victim of a harassment and smear campaign by the security forces.

He was released from prison in October last year from Belmarsh prison after seven terrorism-related charges against him were dropped.

BBC WM

Families of children with special educational needs are facing a postcode lottery to get extra help at schools, according to a BBC investigation.

In the West Midlands there were nearly 2,000 requests from parents for an assessment during 2013/14.

In Dudley and Walsall the vast majority of parents were refused one. And nearly a third of schools who asked were rejected too.

But in Wolverhampton every parent who suspected their child needed help was given one.

Wolverhampton Road in Wednesfield is closed in both directions between Wednesfield Way and New Cross Avenue due to last night's fire.

Read about the latest disruptions on BBC Travel.

John Bray
Access All Areas

Joanne Malin is presenting the regional Midlands Today news programme on BBC One this morning.

Our breakfast bulletins are directed from a smaller gallery than the main programme. We call it the Pres Gallery.

Today our breakfast director is Alison Roscoe. It's her job to "opt" when BBC Breakfast's presenters say: "Now for the news where you are."

Alison has to keep presenter Joanne Malin on track with the duration of the bulletin, make sure cameras and lighting are spot on, and ensure a smooth handback to BBC Breakfast at Salford.

Birmingham Post

Belgian regional carrier VLM Airlines is to take on the Birmingham-Waterford air route - one of seven due to be axed by budget airline Flybe, external.

The airline will start the service from April 27 with flights four times a week on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays.

David Jennings
Head of BBC West Midlands

Welcome to our day of exclusive behind-the-scenes access to BBC Birmingham.

In Local Live, there're be regular updates on what's going on here at your BBC in Brum.

Firefighters from nine fire stations across the West Midlands have been tackling a "severe blaze" at a garage in Wolverhampton, external overnight.

Image source, NAthan cleary

The blaze broke out late last night at Kenyons servicing garage on Wolverhampton Rd in Wednesfield.

Officers were concerned about acetylene cylinders in the building and put a 200m cordon in place, external but firefighters are now scaling down.

Read about closures on the surrounding roads on BBC Travel.

Michelle Dawes
Journalist, BBC WM

The former Birmingham Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has denied training the British man known as 'Jihadi John'.

Listen live for more details in the news at 07:00

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Upstairs things are quite different... Joanne Malin has just gone on air with her first Midlands Today bulletin on BBC One - the studio is the black screen at the end of the room.

Over on the other side of the newsroom Adrian Goldberg, producer James Bovill, Daz Hale and newsreader Michelle Dawes are discussing what will be on this morning's breakfast show.

Subjects to be covered include why children with special needs are struggling to be assessed, and a look back at yesterday's St Patrick's Day parade in Birmingham.

They'll be live between 07:00 and 09:00, listen live here

BBC Travel

There is heavy traffic on the M6 this morning between junction 10a for the M54 and junction 11 for Cannock because of an accident and recovery work.

One lane northbound is closed but there is severe congestion.

Stay up to date on the BBC Travel page.

Stephanie Barnard
BBC Local Live

Downstairs in the studio there are two chirpy looking people here at BBC WM. You can tell they're used to waking up at such an early part of the day. They're both smiling!

Pete Morgan (pictured left) has been on air since 05:00 with music and chat.

And Steve Hermon looking rather chipper writing the sports news for BBC WM.

Cath Mackie
BBC Midlands Today

I've spent weeks talking to people who work in the same building as me - many of whom I've never met before!

I've found it fascinating and have made 15 behind-the-scenes films showing everything from a day in the life of Midlands Today to the secrets of The Archers studio.

In the films we'll hear from producers, make-up artists, engineers and apprentices, among others, about what they do each day and how programmes get on air.

Charlie Slater
Weather Presenter, BBC Midlands Today

There is plenty of cloud around to start the day with occasional showers and spots of drizzle but things should improve as the day goes by with some brighter spells possible in the afternoon.

Highs of 8C (46F).