BBC News Travel

There will be overnight road closures starting next week on a stretch of the A49 near Marshbrook in Shropshire.

Shropshire Council said it would allow workmen to resurface the road, replace road markings and improve the drainage.

Image source, Google

The work is due to start at 20:00 and continue until 06:00 each day and should be complete by 2 October.

People living in the area area being told they'll have to use a escort to get in and out.

Shropshire Star

Here are three of the stories from the Shropshire Star today:

• Telford Covid test centre to be told it had 'run out of tests', external
• Lords hit out at delay in Post Office inquiry, external
• Revamp for Wilfred Owen memorial, external

BBC Shropshire

People in Ironbridge have complained about queues of traffic around the coronavirus testing centre at Jiggers Bank.

The police were called and the testing centre was forced to close yesterday, with cars being turned away.

Image source, Getty Images

At the same time, people in Shropshire are asking why the NHS computer booking system is sending them to places like Oldham, Builth Wells, Chester and even Scotland, when there are testing centres much closer to home.

The Ironbridge testing centre has since reopened.

BBC Weather

We should see some sunshine today in between some light cloud. Temperatures could rise to 19C (66F) in parts of the West Midlands.

And the weather could get even better by the weekend when temperatures are forecast to rise to 24C (75F)/

Image source, Mikesnapper

BBC Shropshire

Some people in Shropshire have wrongly been told their nearest available coronavirus testing facility is more than 60 miles away, in Oldham.

Last night the national computer system was also suggesting they book tests in Leicester, Chester and the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells.

Image source, Getty Images

A testing facility exists at the Ironbridge park-and-ride site and there have been additional mobile testing units at Shrewsbury and Oswestry.

The health service in Shropshire said it was not a local decision and NHS England was responsible for the system.

The Department of Health and Social Care said: "Improvements are being made to the system of allocating regional testing slots to ensure the distance limit does not go beyond 75 miles."

Most homes in the Telford area will stop getting free liners for their food-waste bins.

Waste collection company Veolia said it had given out more than 10 million since introducing the caddies last summer and the free liners were no longer financially viable.

Image source, Telford and Wrekin Council

People living in flats and homes which use communal caddies will continue to get the liners.

Everybody else will get their final roll of 52 liners next week.

Shropshire Star

Here are three stories from the Shropshire Star:

• £100 million plan to tackle Shropshire flooding misery, external
• Confirmed Covid-19 cases rise at care home, external
• Investigation after arson attack on car, external

A company which organises a number of festivals in Shropshire every year is asking people for their support, external after "an absolutely miserable year in the events sector".

Shropshire Festivals has had to cancel a number of events this year because of the coronavirus and said: "We rely on ticket sales, exhibitor fees and sponsorship to make all of our events happen and without those revenue streams the future of our company is at risk."

The company organises Shrewsbury Food Festival, Shropshire Oktoberfest and Shropshire Kids Festival among other events and is asking people to buy their tickets now for those three events in 2021.

It is also asking people to buy "extras" like T-shirts, backstage passes and beer glasses and said: "We still need to pay for infrastructure and staff now, to ensure we can hold events next year."

BBC Weather

We're forecast some light cloud and temperatures up to 21C (70C) today.

And that weather is expected to continue into next week.

Image source, Liam Ball

A bronze statue of a stag has been stolen overnight in Shropshire.

West Mercia Police said, external the monument, which officers described as "very distinctive", was taken from a property on Broad Lane, Bridgnorth.

Image source, West Mercia Police

The nature broadcaster said plans to cull badgers in 11 new areas would not eradicate bovine TB.

Plans by Pizza Express to close 73 of its restaurants, putting 1,100 jobs at risk, have been approved by creditors.

Image source, PA Media

The chain said nearly 90% voted for its restructuring deal, which will also see it secure a cut in rent costs.

Last month, the firm said it was forced into the move by the enforced closure of restaurants during the pandemic, the cost of reopening and the uncertainty over the UK's economic future.

Pizza Express has said these sites in the West Midlands were earmarked for closure:

• Birmingham - Corporation St
• Birmingham - Mailbox
• Bromsgrove
• Dudley - Merry Hill
• Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
• Hereford
• Ludlow
• Moseley
• Stafford
• Stourbridge
• Walsall

The latest news, sport, travel and weather across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Travel could be affected on the Heart of Wales line until Christmas, fears deputy transport minister.

Ashley Fletcher scores twice as Middlesbrough edge out Shrewsbury in a seven-goal thriller to progress to round two of the Carabao Cup.

BBC Shropshire

Shropshire primary schools have been told there isn't extra money available to help with cleaning costs.

A number of headteachers have spoken to BBC Radio Shropshire and said their budgets were being stretched because of the extra cleaning needed amid the coronavirus.

Image source, Getty Images

Ed Potter, the Shropshire councillor responsible for education, said: "Unfortunately there isn't money made available, which is disappointing and it's something we will be pushing for from central government."

The Bishop of Shrewsbury says Elizabeth Prout "risked violence" in Manchester's most dangerous slum.

Restaurants in the West Midlands have claimed more than five million meals under the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, Treasury figures show.

Image source, PA Media

It said 5,050 outlets in the region were signed up to use the scheme as of 27 August 2020.

Diners got a state-backed 50% discount on meals and soft drinks up to £10 each on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during August.

The Treasury says restaurants have so far made claims worth more than £29m.

Nationally more than 100 million meals were claimed.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star today:

• 'Significant' decrease in Telford and Wrekin Covid cases this week, external
• Patients urged to call 111 before attending A&Es, external
• Suspected County Lines drug dealer from Birmingham arrested, external

Paulette Wilson's story has helped others to share their experience, says a fellow campaigner.