Welcome to the Examiner breaking news service.
We'll be making sure that you are the first to know what's happening across our region.
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then feel free to get in touch - call us on 01484 437712 or tweet @examiner
TRAVEL
Very slow traffic and speed restriction of 40 mph on M62 Westbound between J28 A650 / A653 (Tingley) and J27 M621 / A650 / A62 (Gildersome).
Reports of one lane blocked and queueing traffic due to broken down car on M62 Westbound before J24 A629 (Ainley Top). Matrix sign set to 60 mph.
NEWS
Happy Valley returns to our screens next Tuesday.
Here are some shots to whet your appetites
Local News:
Jobs could go if two of Kirklees Council’s biggest services join forces.
A plan to merge Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) and the council’s Building Services department has been hatched by councillors.
There are currently around 500 Building Services staff and 320 KNH staff.
Travel:
Reports of queueing traffic and traffic heavier than normal due to broken down lorry on A629 New North Road Westbound between Mountjoy Road and A643 Lindley Moor Road (Ainley Top Roundabout).
Affecting traffic heading from central Huddersfield towards the M62 at junction 24.
Hand over
That’s all on the blog from me for today. My colleague Robert will be with you shortly.
Traffic
It’s been a bad day on the M62 following the accident near the Brighouse junction this morning.
And now there are speed restrictions in place due to debris on the road westbound near Castleford.
News
A series of events is being held across Kirklees this month to celebrate the region’s libraries.
This Saturday will see the 5th National Libraries Day, with events and activities held across the country to promote the different ways that modern libraries help people, families and communities.
In Kirklees, where the library service has been subject of much controversy amid plans to scale it down to save cash, the whole month of February is being used to showcase the service’s work. You can see more here.
News
A retired businessman was left battered and soaked in blood after tripping on a pothole.
Kevin Speight, 80, of Mirfield, went sprawling face down on the pavement and was left bleeding from facial wounds. You can see more here.
Traffic
The traffic is heavier than normal with queues on the A629 New North Road westbound between Mountjoy Road and the A643 Lindley Moor Road (Ainley Top Roundabout).
Hand over
Good afternoon. I’ve taken over on the blog from Nick and will be with you for the next couple of hours or so.
News
Here’s one for all you wind turbine lovers. The world’s biggest offshore wind farm, which will be able to power more than a million UK homes, has been given the go-ahead off the Yorkshire coast.
DONG Energy will build 174 turbines 75 miles (120km) offshore and spanning 160 square miles (407 square kilometres) or five times the size of Hull.
It will provide 2,000 jobs during construction and support up to 300 additional jobs once it is in operation, the company said.
Each turbine will be 190 metres (623ft) tall - higher than the Gherkin building in London - to generate enough clean energy to power more than a million homes.
The project is scheduled for completion by 2020.
That’s it from me...Phil is taking over now.
News
What do you think about this plan of the council’s to borrow £9m to help developers build a hotel at the stadium? Good use of public finances to stimulate jobs and growth or a risk too far subsidising private business?
HTAFC
Fancy a go picking the team for Town’s trip to Preston? Will Elvis get a chance or is he “all shook up” from his move from Brighton. Maybe it’s “now or never” or perhaps its time for him to cross the “bridge over troubled water” (the River Ribble) on his way to Deepdale!
News
Town are already on board, now the Giants have joined our campaign to save A&E. I wouldn’t mess with Eorl Crabtree so let’s hope health bosses take note!
News
He wears speedos, he makes videos. Huddersfield prankster Speedo Shy normally does light-hearted publicity stunts. Now he has turned his powers to saving Huddersfield’s A&E. Check out his efforts below.
News
Missing peer Lord Lucan has been officially declared dead.
Lucan’s only son has been granted a death certificate by a High Court judge.
George Bingham applied under the Presumption of Death Act, which came into effect in 2014, so he can inherit the title as 8th Earl.
Lord Lucan vanished after Sandra Rivett, nanny to his three children, was found murdered at the family home at 46 Lower Belgrave Street in central London on November 7 1974.
Mrs Justice Asplin gave a decision in the case in London today.
News
Missing peer Lord Lucan has been officially declared dead.
Lucan’s only son has been granted a death certificate by a High Court judge.
George Bingham applied under the Presumption of Death Act, which came into effect in 2014, so he can inherit the title as 8th Earl.
Lord Lucan vanished after Sandra Rivett, nanny to his three children, was found murdered at the family home at 46 Lower Belgrave Street in central London on November 7 1974.
Mrs Justice Asplin gave a decision in the case in London on Wednesday.
M62 easing
The M62 is reported to be clear after removal of a broken down vehicle, which seems to have added to delays on the back of a collision during rush hour.
M62 latest
This is what we know so far about the smash on the M62.
A rolling road block was put in place on the M62 after a rush hour smash.
Both sides of the motorway between junctions 25 at Brighouse and junction 24 at Ainley Top were closed for about an hour.
The westbound smash, which involved a HGV and a Mercedes panel van, happened at about 8.25am and the motorway was closed while the air ambulance landed at the scene.
West Yorkshire Police said there was one casualty, a man, who was taken to a local hospital by road ambulance. His condition was not known.
Recovery of the HGV is due to take place about now, says Highways England.
Man falls off bridge in Bradford
A man fell off a bridge in Odsal Top, Bradford, at about 3.40am.
Road closures were in place for a few hours, which could have affected traffic on the M62.
A police spokesperson said the man’s injuries were thought to be quite serious. He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
Late for work
There will be many people late for work this morning because of the M62 delays.
Examiner journalist Lauren Ballinger was caught up in the queues and said: “The journey to work from J28 at Tingley normally takes half an hour but the M62 was completely gridlocked.
“I crawled along for an hour before passing a broken down truck at J26. The poor driver looked extremely fed up!”
M62 latest
On the M62 crash, Highways England says it involved a HGV and a van. The road was closed to allow the air ambulance to land but it wasn’t needed.
Lane one on the westbound carriageway is about to be closed for recovery of the HGV.
A spokesman said the motorway should get back to normal pretty quickly after that. Fingers crossed!
News
We understand the M62 remains badly congested. The Highways Agency says delays are down to 20 minutes but there’s plenty of frustrated commuters arriving here at the Examiner saying it’s nose to tail.
It’s not just the motorway, it’s the surrounding roads too.
Apparently there’s a lorry in the outside lane with its hazard warning lights on.
If you know more get in touch @examiner on Twitter.
Travel
There are delays of up to 40 minutes reported on the M62 westbound after the earlier accident. Best avoid for the time being.
