Sophie Calvert
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Stoke

Bosses at the Royal Stoke University Hospital have told BBC Radio Stoke they believe they are prepared for winter pressures this season.

But they admit they are still not expecting to meet waiting time targets, despite 64 new beds due to come into use at the start of 2019 thanks to £8.82m from the government.

Last winter there were long delays, and Dr Richard Fawcett, from the hospital, apologised via Twitter for "third world conditions" in his hospital department.

At the time, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust responded by saying it had been under "severe and sustained pressure over the Christmas period" and this had "continued into the new year".

Firefighters spent about 10 hours tackling the fire on Mustang Drive.

BBC Midlands Today

A new plan to upgrade the A46 in Warwickshire could boost the West Midlands economy by up to £7bn, it's claimed.

Image source, Google

Midlands Connect has made the claim as it launched the first of its Midlands Motorway Hubs, aimed at relieving areas where congestion is the worst,, external including parts of Evesham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Coventry.

The regional transport organisation says improving the A46 from Alcester to the Warwick Expressway could provide an alternative to some of the busiest motorways.

BBC Midlands Today

More than 50 drivers have been caught exceeding a 40mph speed limit on a stretch of road in Birmingham where six people died in a horrific crash last December.

Image source, West Midlands Police

A taxi driver and two passengers and three people in an Audi all died in the three-car collision.

Officers caught 55 people speeding on Belgrave Middleway, Edgbaston, earlier this week out of a total of 583 vehicles who drove past,, external West Midlands Police said.

The highest speed clocked was someone travelling at 79 mph.

BBC Sport

Walsall failed to close in on the League One play-offs as they were beaten 2-0 at home by Charlton.

Instead, victory saw their visitors climb into the top six as Lyle Taylor and Krystian Bielik scored for the Addicks.

Walsall took 77 minutes to register a shot on target and the 10th-placed Saddlers slipped to a fourth defeat in five league games.

Express and Star

The Express and Star is covering these stories this morning:

• Green belt scrapyard boss told to pay back £150k, external
• How Wolverhampton doctor faced first ever gas attack in First World War, external
• Tributes paid to ‘inspirational’ Walsall woman with 'heart of gold', external

Harriet Ellis is called a "hero" after a clip of her rolling her eyes during a Brexit debate went viral.

Part of the M42 had to be shut for several hours overnight due to a lorry fire.

Image source, West Midlands Fire Service

Highways England says it happened at 20:30 yesterday , externalon the northbound side between J3 and J3A, near Wythall, south of Birmingham.

It took until about 05:00 before the motorway was fully reopened, external. There aren't any reports from the fire service of any injuries., external

Three men have been arrested and remain in police custody for questioning.

BBC Sport

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen Ali may have made a duck in England's first innings but he's already taken a wicket on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Image source, Getty Images

Thanks to a century on debut from Ben Foakes, the touring side made 342 when the last wicket fell this morning.

Then by lunch, Sri Lanka were 42-4 with Moeen taking the fourth wicket just before the break.

The afternoon session's now under way and you can follow coverage on the BBC Cricket live page.

BBC News England

Three men have been arrested after a man who was found injured in Birmingham later died.

Image source, Google

West Midlands Police said officers were called to Walford Road in Sparkbrook just after 19:00 on Tuesday to reports of "suspicious activity".

They found a man with serious injuries, and despite efforts of medics, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The men are being held on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

Lee Thomas
Newsreader, BBC Radio Stoke

More than 30 firefighters have battled a blaze at a workshop overnight.

Image source, Staffordshire Fire Service

They were called to a Jaguar Land Rover site on Mustang Driver, Stafford, just before 20:00 yesterday evening. , external

The fire service says the fire involved two cars in the workshop and damaged around a third of the building, although no-one's been hurt.

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It's started off cloudy and rainy for much of the West Midlands today but that could change later on, here's the full forecast for today:

If you want a latest weather forecast for your area at any other time, head to the BBC Weather website.

Allen Cook
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

More than 200 people have been referred to an NHS service supporting former members of the armed forces.

Charlton Athletic climb back into the League One play-off places as they claim a dominant victory at Walsall.

Andy Giddings
BBC News

We'll be back with the news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 tomorrow.

Services to Birmingham, Manchester Airport and London have been affected.

BBC WM Sport

Wolves defender Conor Coady says they will approach the game against Arsenal on Sunday the same as any other.

The team are looking to end their run of three straight defeats after a promising start to the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Wolves almost managed a comeback against Tottenham on Saturday, coming back from three goals down to eventually lose 3-2.

Samuel Kelly sentenced to seven years after punching Liam Roche in McDonald's disorder.