Summary

  • Updates on Monday 4 April 2016

  1. Electric bus fleet takes to the roadspublished at 18:46 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Peter Plisner
    BBC Midlands Today

    A new fleet of pure electric buses has taken to the roads of Birmingham and Coventry for the first time.

    Bus

    It's part of a major investment by bus company National Express, which has pledged to switch totally to zero-emission vehicles over the next decade.

    A change in the law has also cleared the way for electric scooters to be legally ridden on the roads.

    The West Midlands is one of several areas taking part in a year-long trial, which it's hoped will initially take the pressure off public transport while social distancing is still in place.

  2. Stolen goods seized after car interceptedpublished at 18:21 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Three people have been arrested after a car containing suspected stolen goods was intercepted and stopped by officers on the M40 in Warwickshire at the weekend.

    Stolen goodsImage source, Warwickshire Police

    The vehicle was linked to high value Shop lifting offences in Rugby, said Warwickshire Police.

    The car and property shown was recovered, the force added.

  3. Stuck kitten rescued from car enginepublished at 17:53 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    A stuck kitten has been rescued after climbing into the engine of a car in Warwickshire this morning.

    Kitten rescueImage source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service
    Kitten rescueImage source, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service

    Crews removed the wheel of the car and were able to rescue the cat unharmed, said Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.

    The incident happened on Common Lane, in Kenilworth just after 07:20.

  4. Hundreds watch campaigner's wedding live streampublished at 16:30 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Heidi Crowter married partner James Carter in Coventry on Saturday but guests were limited to 30.

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  5. Council-owned hotel to receive £1m bailoutpublished at 16:19 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service
    Tom Davis

    A Coventry hotel is to receive a £1m rescue package from the city council to offset coronavirus lockdown pressures.

    Coombe AbbeyImage source, Google

    Council Leader George Duggins said the loan to Coombe Abbey Hotel would “ensure the future” of the council-owned hotel while the hospitality sector struggles with losses from the pandemic.

    The move was approved by council chief executive Martin Reeves through emergency powers meaning the decision was not publicly debated by councillors.

    It has sparked criticism that the decision was pushed through without scrutiny and has been branded a "taxpayer bailout" by the Conservative opposition group.

    The council purchased the hotel for a reported £11m in 2017 and handed it previous help such as a £1.95m loan last year to facilitate a GoApe assault course.

  6. Breast surgeon Paterson's victims' inquests openpublished at 14:33 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Patients of rogue breast surgeon Ian Paterson may have died unnaturally, a review found.

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  7. Coventry sign Dacosta on three-year dealpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time 6 July 2020

    Promoted Coventry City sign defender Julien Dacosta after his departure from French side Niort.

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