West Midlands

A MAJOR motorway has closed after a serious crash between two lorries.

Motorists heading southbound on the M6 have been warned of hours-long delays after the horror smash in the early hours.

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Emergency crews were scrambled to the collision near Walsall, West Midlands at around 12.45am.

Cops confirmed one of the lorry drivers had been rushed to hospital with potentially serious injuries.

National Highways said the crash had caused an oil spill on the carriageway between junctions 10 and 11.

In a statement on X, it said: “M6 south from J10A (M54) to J10 (Walsall).

“3 lanes (of 4) remain closed due to a collision/oil spill. The M54 eastbound from J1 to the M6 is also open.

“Delays are now 60 minutes above normal – 4 miles congestion, back to J11A (M6 Toll junction).”

Drivers have been urged to avoid the area, with three lanes still closed along the busy route.

West Midlands Police said: “We were called shortly before midnight to reports of a collision between two lorries.

“The motorway was closed going south between Junction 11 and Junction 10.

“One lane reopened earlier, but three remain closed as colleagues continue to work at the scene.

“We are expecting delays which may affect people using the motorway network into this morning.

“We are asking drivers to plan ahead and avoid the area where possible.”

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THREE people have been arrested for murder after a woman’s body was tragically found in a canal.

The body was discovered before two waterways were drained by police in a canal in the Black Country on Tuesday, October 7.

Cops have now arrested two men and one woman in relation to the incident.

The trio, who are aged in their 20s, 40s, and 60s, currently remain in custody.

This comes after police responded to calls from Ryders Green Road in West Bromwich just before 11am on Tuesday.

Locals reported that part of the canal was drained while police worked in the area.

A large stretch of Walsall Canal was cordoned off and a blue forensic tent was also erected.

Two sections of the canal were drained while officers investigated the scene.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Three people are in custody today after a woman’s body was found in water near Ryders Green Road, West Bromwich yesterday morning.

“Two men and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder as detectives continue with investigations into her death.

“Door-to-door enquiries are ongoing along with CCTV being retrieved and reviewed as we work to establish the exact circumstances.

“There will also be a more visible police presence in the area over the coming days as the investigation continues.

“The two men, one in his 60s and the second in his 20s, and a woman in her 40s, remain in police custody this afternoon.

“A forensic post mortem is being carried out to help establish the cause of death.”

Residents have been quick to share their devastation over this tragic discovery.

Taking to Facebook, one saddened local wrote: “R.I.P. and condolences to the family.”

Another added: “So sad rest in peace.”

The police statement continued: “Anyone with information can contact us on 101 or by messaging us on Live Chat on our website, quoting log 1587 of 7 October.

“If you’d prefer to remain anonymous please speak to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A VAST “mini-city” of 5,500 homes, schools and green space is set to rise on the edge of Birmingham.

Council chiefs gave given the go-ahead for the first stage of works.

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The Langley development, near Walmley in Sutton Coldfield, will eventually see around 5,500 homes.

There will also be schools, community facilities and green spaces, built across a huge swathe of land.

Described by developers as an “unparalleled opportunity to establish a new sustainable community”, the scheme promises to transform the area.

Ahead of the latest council planning meeting, permission was sought to begin “strategic infrastructure” works on the site.

These include demolishing Langley Park House, creating open space and play areas, carrying out major earthworks, and building new highway, cycle and pedestrian networks.

But concerns were raised over how future residents will travel.

Conservative councillor Gareth Moore argued that Labour’s transport policy risks being “outdated” and could turn the new neighbourhood into a “heavy car-use area.”

“Despite the best will in the world, the council is not going to change that,” he said.

“I’m really concerned that long-term this is going to build up problems because we’re going to try and discourage people from owning cars.

“We’re going to try and encourage everyone to walk, cycle and get the bus – but they’re not.

“They’re going to own cars and they’ll be parked all over the place. Yes, in 50 years’ time that might be different but the important thing is the here and now.”

A council report defended the plans, pointing to an “extensive network” of new walking and cycling routes across the site.

This is including segregated cycle paths, bus-only connections and a traffic-free bridge linking eastwards over the A38.

It said: “The intention is to not give equal priority to all modes through the road space allocation, instead encouraging sustainable travel which adheres to the objectives of the Birmingham Transport Plan.”

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Officials have previously stressed that prioritising active travel and public transport will help cut road danger, connect communities and tackle the climate emergency.

According to the scheme’s official website, the new development will also bring schools, leisure facilities and large areas of “well-connected green spaces.”

“We are committed to working with the local community to deliver a beautifully designed scheme that puts placemaking at its heart and provides long-term benefits for both new and existing residents,” it said.

With the application now approved, work can begin on laying the groundwork for one of the biggest housing projects Birmingham has ever seen.

This follows after reports of a huge new town with up to 25,000 homes is set to be built in the UK, as part of a government scheme.

The ambitious plans are set to ease Britain’s housing crisis, and the project is expected to create 30,000 jobs.

The Brabazon development, in South Gloucestershire, is set to become a “thriving new town, designed around people, nature and opportunity: the best place in the UK to live, work and play”, according to YTL, the group facilitating its construction.

Proposals for the project include 6,500 homes (which could rise to 25,000), and student accommodation big enough to house 2,000 people.

The new town will also have a 20,000 capacity arena, three new schools and community facilities, and is predicted to add £5 billion to the GVA.

A new train station, Metrobus links, cycle routes and walking paths will ensure the town is well connected to Bristol and over 3.6 million square feet of commercial space will house shops, businesses and offices.

Brabazon will also have an abundance of parks and green spaces, including a 15 acre park and lake, which will be the largest in the South West for 50 years.

The government has thrown its backing behind the development, as part of a £48 billion scheme to build 12 new homes across the nation.

Work has already begun on Brabazon, with 500 homes completed, and £400 million invested by YTL.

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THIS is the horrifying moment a maniac brandishes an axe as he chases a man down the street in broad daylight.

Horrified neighbours can be heard yelling out at the two men as the terrifying confrontation unfolds.

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The footage was filmed in Bearwood, in the southern part of Smethwick, West Midlands.

A bald man wearing a dark gilet jacket and grey t-shirt wields the axe above his head as he confronts another man who tries to defend himself by holding his hand out and walking backwards.

Raised voices can be heard but it is unclear where they are coming from.

The dark-haired man wearing a grey tracksuit, who tries to defend himself, has his right arm stretched out in front of him as the bald man steps forward to take a swing at him with the axe.

As the man in the tracksuit steps backwards he stumbles and falls to the ground as the bald man steps forward and once again raises the axe above his head.

The bald man then stands towering over the other man who is sitting on the pavement with his arm stretched out.

Voices shout out as the bald man appears ready to attack.

Fortunately, the attacker then pauses as he appears to see sense and lowers his axe and walks away.

As he starts to walk away he then turns around pointing to the other man who is getting up off the floor and words are exchanged.

Luckily, there is no bloodshed and neither man appears to be injured.

A caption on the video says: “Man ain’t playing with the axe” while the footage was uploaded to the social media site X, formerly Twitter, on September 20.

Officers from West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the horrifying incident and are attempting to “establish the full circumstances.”

A 39-year-old man has since been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, section 18 wounding and possession of a bladed article.

He has now been bailed while detectives probe the incident further.

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West Midlands Police said: “We were called to Selsey Road, Bearwood just before 8.25am on Saturday (20 Sep) after reports of a man with an axe.

“A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, section 18 wounding and possession of a bladed article.

“He has been bailed pending further enquiries.

“We are still working to establish the full circumstances. Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 quoting 20/382697/25.”

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A UK airport is reportedly in talks to increase its number of flights, with hopes to become a “major hub” for holidaymaker around Europe.

Huge upgrades are included in the plans which hopes to have the airport better connected to more destinations.

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East Midlands Airport is having talks “already underway” with airlines about plans for more cargo and passenger flights.

Currently, passengers can fly to and from 70 destinations through East Midlands Airport.

These include countries in Europe and North Africa.

But new commerical director, Adam Andrews, revealed the airport wants to provide more one-stop connections for passengers.

He said: “We will build relationships with key decision makers and businesses from our region and its large three big cities to understand how we can work together to maximise the airports potential what they want from their local airport.

“This includes looking to increase the mix of leisure destinations, introduce business routes and enable year-round connectivity to the world.”

Increasing flight options during peak seasons, such as summer holidays, is in the works.

And plans for more flights during the traditional off-peak seasons are also being considered.

This would mean travellers are able to just go to their local airport for their flights rather than having to get across the country first.

Andrews hopes to draw on the airport’s success as the UK’s “number one express air freight hub” due to being central to both the country and world.

East Midlands Airport is strategically located between Africa, Europe and the US.

It has been a hub for low-budget airlines like Jet2, Ryanair and TUI Airways.

The airfield was originally built as a Royal Air Force station in 1943, before it was redeveloped as a civilian airport in 1965.

Busiest routes from East Midlands Aiport have been Alicante, Tenerife, and Mallorca.

But it has no direct access via a passenger rail network, with the nearest being East Midlands Parkway about four miles away.

Proposals have been made in the past for a dedicated railway station to be installed at the airport, but is unlikely to be completed for another decade or so.

Plans for East Midlands Airport come after it was announced over the weekend the Gatwick Airport would be getting a new full runway.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander signed off on the plan that involves a £2.2billion expansion.

The project will shift Gatwick’s emergency runway 12 metres north so it can be used alongside the main strip.

This will pave way for 100,000 extra flights a year from the second busiest airport in the UK.

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