Updates on Friday 18 March 2016
More news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 Monday
Co-op drivers across the UK are to stage a 48-hour strike in a row over transferring Coventry staff to haulier Eddie Stobart.
Members of Unite will walk out next Monday and Tuesday and uphold a continuous work-to-rule approach.
The dispute follows the decision by the Co-op group to transfer 87 Coventry-based drivers to Eddie Stobart.
Peter Plisner
BBC Midlands Today
I'm at the Police and Crime Commissioner's hearing on the M6 delays after last month's fatal accident.
The big question is "could it have been handled better"?
You can see my full report on Midlands Today at 13:30.
Jo Tidman
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
A mum from Stratford has become a campaigner for blood donors after losing a staggering 44 pints of blood during a traumatic labour.
Natasha Pollock is believed to have received one of the biggest ever blood transfusions in the UK after she began to bleed heavily during an emergency caesarean section.
She spoke to me earlier and you can listen to the whole interview here.
Alec Blackman
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
These are some of the stories making the headlines in Coventry:
- Pedestrian killed in traffic collision on A444
- Council in talks over Olympic-sized pool for Coventry
- Hearing into M6 closure following fatal crash
A number of schools across England are joining one massive classroom online today as part of activities to mark Shakespeare Week.
It's 400 years since the bard's death but the teaching and acting of his texts is still very much alive.
Working in partnership with the RSC and featuring RSC actors and Jessica Ransom from Horrible Histories, BBC Live Lessons is holding a very special lesson tailored to a primary-aged audience.
You can join in the fun here.
Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather
Feeling cool under the cloud this afternoon, with the chance of the odd spot of drizzle and a top temperature of 7C (45F).
Paul Marriott
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
A pedestrian has died in a collision on the A444 in Coventry last night, the ambulance service says.
Phoenix Way was closed in both directions for a time just after 21:00 at the junction with Heath Crescent.
Crews arrived to find a pedestrian who'd been in a collision with a vehicle and despite the best efforts of emergency services, nothing could be done to save them.
The Ricoh Arena has announced it will be the official sponsor of Coventry’s UK City of Culture 2021 bid.
It means the stadium and its owners, Wasps, will provide financial muscle to the process, as well as hosting dedicated events to promote the bid.
Image source, Coventry 2021Quote MessageNot only will that be a huge practical help, but the backing of Wasps and the Ricoh Arena emphasises to the city and other key players nationally that we have a highly credible bid which has widespread backing and support.
David Burbidge, Chairman of Coventry City of Culture Trust
To selfie, or not to selfie: that is the question, external. And the answer seems very much in favour of the former as the new Shakespeare statue on Bancroft Gardens continues to prove popular.
Image source, Stratford ObserverCoventry council says its in talks with Sport England, Amateur Swimming Association and external funding bodies about a new £14m, 50m pool for the city.
Image source, GoogleAn eight-lane pool could be built at the Alan Higgs Centre after a deal transferring the building from the Alan Higgs Charity to the Coventry and Warwickshire Award Trust.
One idea according to the council is to create 500 permanent seats to allow the pool to be used for regional competitions.
That is according to angry members of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council's cabinet who have slammed Warwickshire County Council's plans, external as 'appalling'.
Image source, Nuneaton NewsCoventry City say a problem with their external ticketing system means fans are unable to purchase tickets online, via the phone or in person at the ticket offices.
They say they're working to resolve the issue.
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Paul Marriott
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
These are some of our headlining stories today:
- Hearing held into M6 closure after fatal crash
- Ricoh to sponsor Coventry's City of Culture bid
- Road closed in Rugby for police investigation
Paul Marriott
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
A road in Rugby has been sealed off overnight following reports of injuries to two people.
Emergency services were called to an address in Oxford Street just before 21:00.
A public hearing's being held today following critcisms about the way Highways officials handled the aftermath of a fatal accident last month which closed the M6.
One man died and there were severe tailbacks between Junctions 5 and 6.
Image source, Peter SaullThe motorway wasn't fully reopened for nearly 24 hours. Councils, police and Highways England will attend the hearing.
BBC Travel
One lane is closed and heavy traffic on the M42 southbound between J5, A41 (Solihull) and J4, A34 (Shirley), because of a vehicle on fire.
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The public hearing into M6 motorway delays is being broadcast live by the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
You can watch it here from 09:00, external.
Image source, West Midlands PCCSara Blizzard
BBC Weather
Feeling cooler than yesterday, with more cloud around and the odd spot of drizzle and a top temperature of 7C (45F).
Paul Marriott
BBC Coventry & Warwickshire
These are some of the stories we'll be bringing you today:
- Hearing held into M6 closure after fatal crash
- Co-op drivers announce 48-hour strike over transfer of Coventry drivers
- Road in Rugby sealed off following reports of injuries
BBC Travel
There is slow traffic on Beake Avenue in Radford, Coventry, at the Links Road junction, because of a traffic light failure.
