Broadband boost for rural Shropshire

Superfast broadband is on its way to more than 90% of properties in Shropshire but rural areas fear they could still miss out.

Live updates

Midlands manufacturer creates zero emissions kit car

Westfield has sold over 12 000 cars world wide since 1983 Credit: Westfield

A Midland car maker has joined forces with Birmingham University to create the world's first zero emission electric kit car.

Westfield Sportscars has designed the iRacer, which can be changed between hybrid, electric or internal combustion engines, to support a growing demand for zero emission racing vehicles.

Birmingham City University has been asked to reduce CO2 and weight by a minimum of 20 per cent to meet upcoming emissions targets. The partnership will then look at all road vehicles in the Westfield range.

Westfield are proud to boast high quality British craftsmanship Credit: Westfield

Nick Clegg visits Aston Martin, full report

Midlands luxury car maker Aston Martin has unveiled its latest model during a visit to its factory by the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, and the Business Secretary, Vince Cable.

The 'Rapide S' will be built at Gaydon in Warwickshire, in a deliberate move back to the Midlands from a production plant in Austria.

Andy Bevan reports.

Advertisement

Nick Clegg attends launch of new Aston Martin

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Business Secretary Vince Cable, are in Warwickshire today to announce the latest government support for UK advanced manufacturing.

The ministers have headlined the day with a visit to Aston Martin in Gaydon, to see the new 'Rapide S' vehicles coming off the production line – a development supported by £1.6million from the Regional Growth Fund.

The move is expected to create 20 new jobs and protect over 70 current roles at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon – plus it's new facility in Coventry.

Vince Cable (left) and Nick Clegg (centre) being shown around Aston Martin Credit: ITV News Central
Nick Clegg talking to workers at Aston Martin Credit: ITV News Central
New Aston Martin Rapide S Credit: ITV News Central

Nottingham tramline being extended south of the city

Nottingham City Council has released a video showing a steel bridge being built in Nottingham, as part of the ongoing tramline extension to Chilwell, Beeston and Clifton.

The time lapse video shows the bridge being pushed over Queens Road in Nottingham earlier this month. The new lines are due to run from next year.

The bridge, which will be known as Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge, marks a significant milestone in the Nottingham Express Transit project to extend the city's tram lines to the south and south west of Nottingham.

Video courtesy of IOTimelapse via YouTube.

Campaigners fight against windfarm in Northamptonshire

Campaigners have been fighting a landmark case at the High Court to stop a windfarm being built close to an Elizabethan country lodge in Northamptonshire.

Developers want to put up four wind turbines within a mile of the historic building. English Heritage and the National Trust argue that the windfarm would spoil the landscape.

Advertisement

Sales at Jaguar Land Rover up immensely

Credit: ITV News Central

Jaguar Land Rover has today announced that it has sold almost 35,000 vehicles during the first month of 2013 – an increase of 32 per cent compared to January last year.

Land Rover sales alone were up in all major markets with record January sales scattered across the globe, including the UK, USA and Germany.

In 2012, Jaguar Land Rover sold 357,773 vehicles – up 30 per cent on 2011.

Historic engine 'The Flying Pig' undergoes important overhaul

by Chris Halpin

A locomotive that was once considered the ugliest ever built, is now undergoing important work before the summer season.

The work is being carried out by Severn Valley Railway and costing an estimated £35,000.

The Flying Pig is one of the hardest working locomotives on the heritage railway and has been in service there for more than 40 years. Chris Halpin reports

Load more updates