Traffic has just been released between J3a and J3 of the M6 southbound after being closed to recover a van stuck on the central barrier.

One lane remains shut in both directions as Highways England works to clear debris and assess the barrier for damage.

BBC Travel

One lane is closed and there's queuing traffic on the M6 southbound between J3a, at the M6 Toll, and J3, for the A444 (Nuneaton), because of an accident.

More details on BBC Travel.

Plans to merge two hospital trusts in Birmingham will not mean cuts to clinical services, according to the health official who announced the plan.

BBC Travel

Police have reopened the M6 northbound between J4 and J5 and the M42 exit slip road after an earlier incident.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis will not resign despite being disappointed by the club's failure to land some of his transfers targets.

A struggling hospital trust will join with another to form a single organisation under new improvement plans.

BBC Travel

Part of the M6 northbound is also closed and there's stationary traffic between J4, at the M42 (Coleshill), and J5, the A452 (Castle Bromwich), due to a nearby police incident.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham says he is 100% behind the families of the victims of the Birmingham pub bombings who are due to meet the home secretary later. Councillor Carl Rice spoke to the delegation before they left Birmingham for Westminster. The inquests into deaths of 21 people in the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings are to be reopened. Families and their legal teams will ask the government to fund their continuing campaign.

BBC Travel

The M42 exit slip road is closed and there's queuing traffic northbound at J7, for the M6 (Coleshill), because of a police incident.

Congestion goes to J6, for the A45 (Birmingham Airport).

More details on BBC Travel. 

A woman has quit her job in the West Midlands to move to Poland, saying she is choosing to emigrate following the referendum vote to leave the EU.

A 19-year-old man is in a critical condition in hospital after a brawl involving up to 30 men, police say.

A culture of shame among South Asians is a barrier to members of the community with mental illness accessing help, says cricketer Monty Panesar.

Middlesex have their lead at the top of Division One cut to four points after rain sees them draw with Warwickshire.

Police forces are criticised for a "complete lack of consistency" over whether officers armed with Tasers are deployed with body cameras.

A man was stabbed to death in a "targeted" attack in Wolverhampton, police say.

County Championship leaders Middlesex reduce Warwickshire to 74-3 in pursuit of 338 to win, although rain is forecast on Saturday.

BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Sport

Nuneaton Town have confirmed the signing of 20-year-old left back Ben O'Hanlon on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

The former England Under-18 international joins on an initial one-month deal.

Jennifer Meierhans
BBC News Online

Alton Towers has insisted the Smiler rollercoaster is safe after a victim of last year's crash called for it to be shut.

Chanda Chauhan, from Wednesbury, said she wanted the ride closed after 30 people were trapped in the latest incident yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Alton Towers said: "All of the rides undergo extensive testing before they open to the public each day, thorough monthly checks and are also subject to independent, third party accreditation to ensure the highest levels of safety."

Follow live text and radio commentary as Somerset face Warwickshire in the County Championship.

A victim of the Smiler rollercoaster crash calls for the Alton Towers ride to be shut after 30 people are trapped in a new incident.