Live news stream
Think-tank alternatives to HS2
£10 billion - could change rail infrastructure in northern England and the Midlands, creating new and faster east-west rail links, redeveloping stations and electrifying regional rail lines.
£10 billion - could be used on the East and West Coast main lines, increasing the speed, capacity and reliability of north-south rail travel with less environmental damage than HS2.
£6 billion - could upgrade mass transport in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, including investments in large light rail schemes and bus networks.
More success for Black Sabbath at music awards last night
Chart topping Birmingham band Black Sabbath have crowned their comeback with two awards at a top rock event.
The band, which secured its first UK number one in 43 years at the weekend, picked up best album and best band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards last night.
Advertisement
Claims HS2 demand is 'overestimated'
The demand for HS2 has 'likely been overestimated' and the £33 billion project does not offer value for money - according to a report out today.
The New Economics Foundation says evidence that the rail line, which will run through the Midlands, will promote economic growth or tackle the north-south divide, is limited.
The report also claims the line will be 'carbon intensive and environmentally damaging', and recommends the money earmarked for the project be spent elsewhere, ideally on transport systems away from the Capital.
The Government is firmly backing plans for the route which it says will boost the economy and is needed for the country to remain competitive.
ITV News Central special report: encouraging cycling in the Midlands
The success of Great Britain's cyclists at recent Olympics has meant a huge increase in the number of people getting on their bikes. And councils across the Midlands would like even more people to take up the sport.
The councils say cycling is healthier, more environmentally friendly and cheaper than getting in the car or on the bus.
That may be so, but many people are also nervous about taking to the road on two wheels. Local authorities say they're planning to tackle that by improving cycle routes to make it safer for everyone. Rajiv Popat reports.
Police on three people sentenced for sex abuse
– Inspector Sally Simpson, who led the investigationThis was a vulnerable young girl who had no idea what she was getting herself into.
Tragically, because of her age and the fact she had been on internet chat rooms, she felt she could somehow be to blame for what happened to her.
I hope this case highlights to other young people that action can be taken and it doesn’t matter how much trouble you think you’ve got yourself into, the police will listen to you and take you seriously.
I’m pleased with the sentences given today and hope it offers some closure for the victim who can now try to move forward and put this terrible experience behind her.
Abused girl met three offenders on internet chat rooms
The prosecution said the 15 year-old girl met all three people on internet chat rooms.
Mr. McGlasson was arrested at his home on Brewery Street in Stratford in June 2010 after an online investigation.
Mr. Hanna and Ms. Whitehouse were arrested several months later.
Mr. Hanna was suspended from his job as a teacher at Frankley Community High School following his arrest.
- William Hanna - Sentenced to seven years in prison with two concurrent
- Dianne Whitehouse - Sentenced to six years in prisons with two concurrent
- Ian McGlasson - Sentenced to six years in prison
Advertisement
Teacher and two others jailed for sexually assaulting teenage girl
Three people including a former teacher have been jailed for a total of 19 years for sexually assaulting a teenage girl from Birmingham.
William Hanna, 63, Dianne Whitehouse, 58, and Ian McGlasson, 47, were all sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today.
Mr. Hanna was convicted of four out of six charges while Ms. Whitehouse was found guilty of three out of five charges.
Mr. McGlasson admitted 10 of the 13 charges against him on the second day of a separate trial that took place earlier this year.
The jury heard how Mr. Hanna, a teacher, and Ms. Whitehouse repeatedly sexually assaulted a 15 year-old girl over a six month period in 2010 at hotels in Birmingham city centre.
Mr. McGlasson, who the other two did not know, assaulted the same girl at his Stratford-upon-Avon home.
Full report: £10,000 on bees from Italy for Shropshire
Whether you love or hate bees, there is no denying that we all need them. But with the wet summers and harsh winters we've had, the bee population is shrinking rapidly.
At one farming estate in the Midlands, they've lost 102 of their 150 hives. So they've taken drastic action by importing £10,000 worth of bees, from Italy - to try to boost numbers. Kate Fisher reports.
Full report: funding available for East Midlands' entrepreneurs
An organisation from Nottingham is offering to help entrepreneurs struggling to get credit.
First Enterprise Business Agency - which loans out public funds to companies - has more money to invest in the East Midlands than it has ever had before.
It is widely accepted that one of the biggest obstacles to Britain's economic recovery has been the reluctance of banks to lend to businesses.
Peter Bearne reports.
Police officer recovering following mosque stabbings
A police officer who was stabbed as he went to tackle a knifeman in a mosque says he owes a massive debt of thanks to worshippers who helped him overpower the attacker.
The officer who was wearing a stab proof vest has undergone surgery to his stomach and side after being attacked by a man with a commando style knife. Andy Bevan reports.
