Summary

  • Updates from Monday 13 January to Sunday 19 January

Live Reporting

  1. One taken to hospital following M6 crash

    BBC News Travel

    One man has been taken to hospital after a crash on the M6 in Warwickshire.

    There are now hour-long delays on the approach to the collision which happened shortly after 13:15 between J3 and J2.

    Two other patients were treated for minor injuries at the scene, said the ambulance service.

    There is an oil spill in lane two and barrier repairs are under way in lane three.

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  3. Paramedics called to reports of central reservation crash

    Paramedics were called to reports a car had hit the central reservation on the M6 in Warwickshire at about 13:15, said the ambulance service.

    Traffic is being held on the southbound carriageway ahead of the crash site between J3 and J2.

    One ambulance was sent to the scene, but it's not clear yet if there are any casualties.

    There's five miles of congestion back towards the M42, said Highways England.

  4. In pictures: Coventry Cathedral builder opens archive

    Rare images of the construction of Coventry Cathedral have been made public for the first time.

    Historic England and the John Laing Charitable Trust have opened the company's picture vault documenting the work of builders and crafts people who brought the designs of Sir Basil Spence into being.

    CathedralHistoric England / John Laing Collection
    CathedralHistoric England / John Laing Collection

    On 14 November 1940, St Michael's Cathedral in Coventry was practically obliterated by bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe.

    As the smoke and dust cleared, all that remained was the tower and spire, outer wall and tomb of its first bishop.

    CathedralHistoric England / John Laing Collection

    The new, modernist cathedral was built between 1956 and 1962 a stone's throw away from where the shell of the bombed building still stands.

    It was designed by Basil Spence and built by John Laing, with construction including the use of a helicopter to place the cathedral's tower.

    BuildersHistoric England / John Laing Collection

  5. Council takes over parking fine powers

    Cars parked illegally around Telford & Wrekin are being targeted by a new team of officers from today.

    The council is one of the last in the country to take on parking enforcement powers from the police.

    The team of five officers will issue warning notices that look like parking tickets for the next couple of weeks until their powers are transferred officially.

  6. Kick It Out condemns McClean 'abuse'

    Kick It Out says sectarian abuse of Stoke's James McClean "cannot continue" after alleged chanting at their game with Millwall.

    Read More

  7. Serious crash closes part of M6 southbound

    BBC News Travel

    Traffic is being temporarily held on the M6 southbound in Warwickshire after a crash involving a van and a car.

    There's five miles of queuing traffic on the approach to the incident between J3 and J2.

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  8. Call for evidence on 'chaotic' train service

    The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner says he intends to press ahead with a public hearing about the "chaotic" services provided by West Midlands Trains.

    West Midlands trainWest Midlands Rail

    Labour's David Jamieson said he has already voiced concerns about public safety and overcrowded platforms and trains, "which has got worse".

    He and the leader of Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, are now asking rail users to come forward and share their experiences.

    "I share the public’s extreme concern and frustration in regard to failing timetables, dangerous overcrowded trains and platforms where commuters are often stranded by trains which turn up late or don’t arrive at all," he said.

    The rail operator has previously blamed staffing problems, infrastructure works and a new timetable introduced in May, which it said was too complex.

    Members of the public can submit their evidence here.

  9. 'Quality and pace' on transfer window shopping list

    Matt Sandoz
    Stoke City commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Stoke City are only looking for "quality" and "pace" in this month's transfer window, their manager's said.

    Michael O'NeillGetty Images

    The Potters are battling for survival in the Championship and are currently a point above the drop zone.

    I'm not actively looking to replace players in the squad, there's no doubt about that, I'm actively looking just at the right time to add possibly a little bit of quality, little bit of pace."

    Michael O'Neill, Stoke City manager

  10. M5 junction work '£8m over budget'

    Tom Edwards
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Work to improve a junction of the M5's almost £8m over budget and more than a year behind schedule, Highways England's admitted.

    Work at the junctionGoogle

    The agency began work at J6, near Worcester, at the beginning of 2018 and, at the time, said efforts to increase its capacity would be finished "by the end of the year".

    But it has blamed "unforeseen challenges" including the heavy rain at the end of 2019 for work still being carried out.

    It said the budget for the junction work was forecast to be about £15m, but has now risen to £22.5m.

  11. Taxi drivers facing new charges

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Here are some of the Staffordshire stories being covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

    • Taxi drivers are facing new council charges in Newcastle-under-Lyme including £43 to change the colour of their cab
    • The rainbow flag will be flown by Cannock Chase Council next month, five months ahead of the area's first LGBT Pride event
    • Full meetings of Cannock Chase Council could start two hours later in the future to make them easier for councillors with work and other commitments to go to
    Taxi sign

  12. Your photos: Sunshine before the grey

    BBC Weather Watchers

    The sun burst through in some of the clearer spells this morning, giving us some gorgeous photos.

    These three are from BBC Weather Watchers Liam Ball at The Wrekin, Shropshire, CJ in Lichfield, Staffordshire and Les at Large in Wolverhampton:

    WrekinLiam Ball
    LichfieldCJ
    WolverhamptonLes at Large

  14. Man remanded after meat cleaver attack

    A man has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder after a woman was attacked with a meat cleaver.

    Cleon Smith, 42, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Saturday.

    Church ValeGoogle

    Smith also denies wounding, making threats to kill, criminal damage, dangerous driving and possession of an offensive weapon.

    The defendant, of no fixed address, was arrested on Friday over the attack in Church Vale, Handsworth, Birmingham, on 30 December.

    He was remanded to appear at the city's crown court on 7 February.

  15. Hundreds send support to injured Fatialofa

    BBC Hereford and Worcester

    Hundreds of fans have written messages of support for Worcester Warriors lock Michael Fatialofa who's been in hospital more than a week with a neck injury.

    Michael Fatialofa of Worcester WarriorsGetty Images

    Fatialofa, 27, was carried off on a stretcher during the 62-5 defeat at Saracens last Saturday and is being treated at London's St Mary's Hospital.

    Supporters were able to sign cards at the weekend's European Challenge Cup match.

    Warriors have set up an email address for fans to send messages to - fats@warriors.co.uk.

  16. 'Go anywhere transport plan likely to become go nowhere'

    Labour-run Birmingham City Council said proposed measures in its transport policy are designed to reduce impact on the environment as part of its commitment to becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030, eliminate danger on the roads and revitalise the city centre.

    BirminghamGetty

    But the Conservative opposition said it showed how "out-of-touch" the local authority was.

    Councillor Robert Alden said: "Their plans to close the tunnels will bring the city to a standstill, destroying jobs and pushing more congestion and pollution to the residential areas on the edge of the ring road."

    "The 'go anywhere' transport plan is likely to become a 'go nowhere' transport plan."

    Subject to approval by the council's cabinet on 21 January, consultation on the plan will begin on 28 January.

  17. HIV positive pilot goes public to tackle stigma

    James Bushe successfully challenged the rules which had prevented him training as an airline pilot.

    Read More

  18. HIV positive pilot goes public to tackle stigma

    James Bushe successfully challenged the rules which had prevented him training as an airline pilot.

    Read More

  19. 'No more hotspots' in stately home blaze

    Allen Cook
    BBC News

    The blaze at the 19th century Cheshire mansion looks to now be out, the fire service's said.

    Fire crews jetting water on to blazeCheshire Fire and Rescue Service

    Fifty firefighters were sent just after 20:30 on Sunday to Tilstone House on Nantwich Road in Tarporley.

    Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said at 11:00 their crews had stopped damping down and no more hotspots had been found.