Summary

  • Updates for Cambridgeshire on Wednesday, 2 March 2016

  • More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday

Live Reporting

David Keller

  1. Hearing into young Conservative activist's death begins

    Tom Barton
    BBC Look East political reporter

    I'm at Ampthill Coroner's Court where people have been arriving for the pre-inquest hearing into the death of Wisbech Conservative activist, Elliott Johnson, whose apparent suicide on railway tracks near Sandy in Bedfordshire led to allegations of Tory party bullying.

    Andre WalkerSouth Beds News Agency

    One of those arriving is Andre Walker (pictured) who, in a suicide note, Mr Johnson accused of "betraying" him. Mr Walker has denied the allegation.

    The coroner has already said the reported comments by Mr Johnson's family that some people should not attend today's hearing were "unacceptable".  

  2. Guided busway 'one of the safest forms of public transport'

    David Keller
    BBC News

    Stagecoach East director Andy Campbell said people should not be alarmed following the guided busway crash near Trumpington last month, adding it remained "one of the safest forms of public transport that there is".

    Guided busway crash

    The Cambridge News first reported this morning the driver of the bus had been sacked after a number of people were injured when it left the track.

    The Health and Safety Executive is investigating what happened, and a speed restriction is in place near the scene. There are also diversions at Histon after a separate incident this morning involving a car. 

  3. Bus driver sacked following guided busway crash

    David Keller
    BBC News

    Staying with the guided busway, earlier we told you that Stagecoach East confirmed it had dismissed a driver after a crash near Trumpington nine days ago.

    Six people were injured in total after the bus left the track near Foster Road.

    Managing director of Stagecoach East, Andy Campbell, told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire the crash was "clearly nothing to do with the track, with the vehicles or the procedures that are laid down", but the driver has the right to appeal.

  4. Car on busway being recovered following puncture

    Regarding the car stuck on the guided busway, a county council spokesman has just told us its tyre was punctured on the car trap and then it crawled along the track towards Cambridge. 

    Diversions are currently in place for the buses and recovery of the car is taking place.

  5. Driver stuck on guided busway near Cambridge

    We've just heard a car is being recovered from the guided busway at Histon. We'll bring you updates as we get them.

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  6. Peterborough council launches health campaign

    A 12-month campaign to improve the health of Peterborough residents has been launched by the city council.

    It follows a report carried out last year by Public Health England, which revealed the city had one of the poorest health records in the county.

    The report raised concerns of low life expectancy, an increase in the use of drugs such as crack cocaine and smoking levels above the national average. 

  7. Stagecoach sacks busway driver following crash

    We've just heard from Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach East, who has confirmed the story in the Cambridge News this morning that a driver has been sacked following a crash on the guided busway nine days ago.

    We'll bring you more on this shortly.

    Guided busway crash

  8. Travel: Rail delays due to points failure

    David Keller
    BBC News

    Greater Anglia has put out a statement saying some lines are blocked due to a points failure at Stansted Mountfitchet.

    Train services between Cambridge and London Liverpool Street are being delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised.

  9. Pre-inquest review into death of Conservative activist due to take place

    Tom Horn
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    A pre-inquest review into the death of Wisbech Conservative activist Elliott Johnson is due to take place today.

    Elliot JohnsonPA

    Mr Johnson, 21, (pictured) a member of the youth wing of the Conservative party, was found dead on railway tracks near Sandy in Bedfordshire last September, and left notes accusing Tory members of bullying. 

    The allegations led to the resignation of Grant Shapps, who was co-chairman of the party. Today's pre-inquest hearing will decide the date of the inquest and who will be called to give evidence.

  10. Today's weather: Cold and wet

    Kate Kinsella
    BBC Look East weather

    After a bright start to the day, a band of rain, hail and some snow will pass across the area.

    It is set to become brighter again this afternoon, but will remain windy with scattered showers.

    Maximum temperature: 7C (45F). 

  11. Latest headlines: Pre-inquest review into death of Conservative activist due to take place... Health campaign launches in Peterborough

    Tom Horn
    BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

    Here are the top stories we're looking at this morning:

    • A pre-inquest review into the death of Wisbech Conservative activist Elliott Johnson takes place today
    • A 12-month campaign to improve the health of Peterborough residents has been launched by the city council

  12. Welcome to Cambridgeshire Live

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and welcome to the live page for the county where we'll bring you the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates until 18:00.

    If you have a story or any pictures you want me to feature, please drop us an email, send us a tweet or get in touch on Facebook.