Updates from Monday 18 January to Sunday 24 January
More rail services have been disrupted today by Storm Christoph with the line between Hereford and Abergavenny now flooded.
Services face being cancelled or delayed until at least 14:00, National Rail Enquiries said., external
Elsewhere in Herefordshire, Watery Lane and Lower Bullingham Lane, near Hereford, are both flooded, the county council said., external
Image source, Herefordshire Council
BBC News England
Two hospital trusts are among the first in the country to begin offering a 24/7 Covid vaccination programme.
Image source, ReutersThe University Hospitals of Birmingham and Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Forest Hospitals trusts have been chosen to pilot the round-the-clock jabs from Wednesday.
Currently the standard opening time for vaccination centres is 08:00 to 20:00.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously said he aimed to extend the hours when supply allowed it.
The vaccines will be offered to existing high-priority groups and hospital staff on night shifts.
Read MoreRivers and streams across the West Midlands are already looking swollen with the rain from the past few hours, according to the photos coming from our BBC Weather Watchers.
These are from OgySnaps in Redditch, Worcestershire and Ken M in Lydbury North, Shropshire:
Image source, OgySnaps
Image source, KEN MFrom the Hereford Times today:
Two people had to be helped, in separate incidents, after their cars got trapped in flood water.
Fire crews were called to Shell Ford, Himbleton, near Droitwich, earlier.
One person had managed to get out of their vehicle but another had to be helped.
Another motorist was also helped after getting trapped in waters on Houndsfield Lane Ford, Truemans Heath,, external in the north of Worcestershire.
BBC News Travel
All railway lines between Stoke-on-Trent and Lichfield Trent Valley and Stafford have been blocked by flooding.
Trains are not running between the stations and are being diverted when they can, National Rail Enquiries said. , external
Disruption is expected until at least 15:00.
Heavy rain has also flooded the lines between Shrewsbury and Machynlleth with buses replacing cancelled train services.
The earlier blockage between Chirk and Gobowen has been cleared.
A hospital apologises to Rachael Foley after she underwent a hysterectomy following the error.
Read MoreFrom the Express ad Star today:
Herefordshire and Worcestershire residents are being warned to expect flooding in the next few days as heavy rain continues to fall across England and Wales.
Image source, Environment AgencyThree roads will shut so barriers and pumps can be installed, Worcestershire County Council says:
The roads will shut for up to four hours.
There are four flood alerts in Herefordshire, external but more are "inevitable", according to the Environment Agency's Dave Throup, external who says it is "still hosing it down in Wales".
Water coming off the Welsh hills and mountains flows into the rivers Severn and Wye which run through Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Temporary flood barriers have already been put up in part of Bewdley, external and the Environment Agency says more are being installed in the town and in Hereford., external
BBC Sport
Shrewsbury Town's players were "unbelievable" despite losing 2-0 to Southampton in the FA Cup, according to their assistant coach.
Highlights: Southampton 2-0 Shrewsbury
The fixture had been due to be played on 9 January but was moved after a coronavirus outbreak at the League One club.
Manager Steve Cotterill, who was missing as he recovers from coronavirus, would have been proud of way his side went about their business with Shaun Whalley, Harry Chapman and Matthew Pennington all having chances to score.
In his place, assistant coach Aaron Wilbraham said: "I am really proud of the boys. To be off for 14 days and come back and have three days training for a game against Premier League opposition - I thought they were unbelievable.
"If you give [James] Ward-Prowse a free-kick there, you know what he can do. We were always in the game and put them under pressure."
BBC News Travel
Some commuters are facing disruption due to flooding.
The A5 northbound between Five Crosses Island and Gobowen is shut as the carriageway is underwater, Highways England says.
The railway between Gobowen and Chirk is blocked due to flooding too, Transport for Wales says., external
More temporary flood barriers are being installed as river levels rise after heavy rain.
Image source, Environment AgencyBarriers have already been put up in Bewdley, Worcestershire and Shrewsbury, Shropshire. , external
The Environment Agency says it will install others in Ironbridge and Hereford. , external
Flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, are in place on the River Blithe, near Rugeley, Staffordshire, and the River Vyrnwy near Maesbrook and Melverley, Shropshire., external
More rain is forecast.
A yellow weather warning for rain remains in place across the West Midlands with the Met Office warning of possible flooding and disruption to transport., external
Along with the outbreaks of rain there will be brisk southwesterly winds and it will feel mild with a high of 11C/52F.
More heavy rain is forecast tonight, increasing the risk of flooding but it should clear in the early hours leaving most places dry with clear spells. Low: 4C/39F.
You can stay up-to-date on your local forecast with the BBC Weather website.
Delays to smear tests in lockdown prompt cervical cancer charities to call for home-testing kits.
Read MoreA small number of patients who have tested positive for coronavirus have been admitted to Solihull Hospital.
Image source, GoogleThe hospital had stopped taking Covid-19 cases in May so elective surgery could continue, but recently announced it was pausing elective activity as pressure mounted on wards across Birmingham.
The hospital is run by the same trust as Queen Elizabeth hospital in Birmingham.
"Managing capacity across the trust in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ areas allows us to safely care for all patients in the most appropriate care setting," the trust said in a statement.
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
The government demands Birmingham's Clean Air Zone launches in June, the council leader says.
Read MoreFour hundred members of the armed forces will work alongside doctors in the Midlands and London.
Read More
Vanessa Pearce
BBC News
Live updates have now ended for the West Midlands.
We'll be back with you from 08:00 on Wednesday with the usual mix of news, sport, travel and weather.
