HS2 will not be a "rich man's business-class railway", according to the boss of the firm developing the project.

Mark Thurston, chief executive of HS2 Ltd, said the ticketing structure would ensure trains can be used by "all working people".

The level of HS2 fares and whether trains will have first-class compartments has not been decided.

Opponents of the railway have claimed tickets will be significantly more expensive than for conventional trains to help pay for the railway.

The government-commissioned Oakervee Review warned in 2018 HS2's final bill could reach £106bn at 2019 prices.

During a virtual appearance at the National Rail Recovery Conference, Mr Thurston insisted it "needs to be an affordable railway" so it becomes "an integral part of the rail network".

Aerial footage has shown the London to Birmingham leg of the HS2 high-speed rail network and the state of its construction.

A new centre for the West Midlands' creative industries could be opened as soon as next year.

The hub, which has been made possible due to £3m from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, will be based in the Digbeth area of Birmingham.

The project hopes to attract some big media names to the city while keeping the region's creative talent here.

Neil Duncanson, from North One, a Birmingham-based production company, says the region has so much to offer.

"I've watched as one after another production company has disappeared. Some go out of business completely, some have moved to London [and] some have moved elsewhere but they're starting to drift away.

"It was clear to me that if we didn't do something quite seminal immediately, that there would not be an industry left."

BBC Weather

Today we are forecast cloudy skies and some light showers, with temperatures up to 15C (59F).

There will also be a light breeze.

Image source, Videoman

His family say they are surprised the vulnerable stem cell transplant recipient received open-ward care.

Moses Christensen armed himself with combat knives before attacking Richard Hall, a court hears.

Ian Webber was convicted for assaulting the four-year-old boy at a Sutton Coldfield school in 2018.

Ashley Pace is sentenced to six years in prison for the manslaughter of Jagdev Lally.

Darryl Moffatt's crimes against children are not related to his work, authorities say.

BBC Weather

It is set to be a cloudy day with some bright spells and highs of 13°C (55°F).

Two teenagers admit aggravated vehicle-taking but deny kidnap, a court is told.

Gary Warner died at in hospital after being stabbed in Birmingham in October.

Birmingham Live

Some of the Birmingham Live headlines today include:

• Dad-of-four who saved man from burning building dies from coronavirus, external
• The decaying homes brought back from the brink and reclaimed by Wolverhampton City Council, external
• Dealer who travelled 85 miles to sell drugs jailed, external

BBC Weather

Early rain should clear later leaving a brighter afternoon with some sunny spells and highs of 10°C (50°F).

Class A drugs, birthday cake, beer, a DJ and disco lights were found, police say.

The plans for a housing HQ in Wolverhampton are expected to create at least 500 jobs by 2025.

Her sister's death inspired Donna Bridgewater to create a mental health photography project.

The 17-year-old hit the animal more than 20 times over the head and is given a detention order.

Covid-19 support grants are being brought in for taxi drivers.

Birmingham City Council said it will be providing a one-off payment of £1,000 for city taxi drivers, who continue to be significantly impacted by the pandemic.

Image source, Getty Images

Council leader Ian Ward urged drivers to access the support.

"We know that the last 12 months have been incredibly difficult for Birmingham taxi drivers, who have seen their trade seriously affected by the coronavirus restrictions," he said.

"Many drivers and their families are struggling to make ends meet because footfall in the city has been low since last March."

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

The 17-year-olds are set to stand trial at Birmingham Crown Court in July.