Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
Key Events
Today's top story
A hairdresser is facing a life sentence in prison after admitting the murder of her partner.
On the morning her trial was due to start at Leeds Crown Court, Michelle Spencer’s defence counsel today dramatically asked for the charge to be put to her again.
Lanes on M62 reopen following vehicle fire
All lanes open and traffic easing, earlier vehicle fire on M62 Eastbound between J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) and J23 A640 / A643 (Huddersfield).
Traffic still slow as emergency services deal with vehicle fire
This picture shows the scene near the house on the M62 earlier, where a vehicle fire has been blocking a lane causing congestion on the eastbound carriage.
Police say there was also a diesel spillage. Fire services and traffic officers have been attending the scene.
Traffic in the area is still incredibly slow, so take care if you’re heading between Greater Manchester and Huddersfield.
This is why a sinkhole formed in Meltham...
Here is a picture of the real sinkhole that’s formed in Meltham...
It’s obviously much smaller than the giant hole in the road! What has happened is water leaking from a pipe has caused a small hole directly underneath, leading to a general weakness in the road above which has only just been exposed.
Car fire on the M62
Watch out for this if you’re heading from Manchester towards Huddersfield:
Transgender mum slams plans for gender neutral toilets
A transgender parent of a Shelley College pupil has revealed her opposition to proposals for gender neutral toilets.
Katie Boyfield has a daughter at the school and says the plans for mixed sex, closed cubicle toilets could lead to “great distress”.
Katie said: “Unfortunately concepts such as gender neutral toilets and the safety felt within these facilities are only brought to question by a tiny minority but this must be addressed, we cannot have and I certainly don’t think we want CCTV within any toilet facilities but this does make them an ideal place for allegations to occur.”
Sinkhole: Footpath still accessible
Stephanie says pedestrian access around the sinkhole in Meltham is still open, although the road closure will likely cause disruption for traffic heading into the village.
Fallen tree on M621
Watch out for this if you’re heading towards Leeds this lunchtime!
Also note that “log” refers to the police log. There are not 779 trees flying about on the motorway...
Candidates' last minute pleas for your support
Bet you thought you’d forgotten this face! Here’s the brother of former Labour leader, David Miliband, lending his support to Barry Sheerman defending his Huddersfield seat.
Meanwhile, Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney has been out and about on a last minute canvassing tour.
Pictured: Road closed in Meltham
Here’s another picture of the road closure on Wessenden Head Road where the sinkhole has opened.
Looks to be towards the bottom end of the road near to the village centre. Our reporter Stephanie Finnegan is on route to check it out.
Sinkhole opens in Meltham - council are looking into it
Kirklees Council have closed Wessenden Head Road in Meltham due to a sinkhole.
Yorkshire Water workmen discovered the hole while repairing mains on the road. The Council are currently working to fill in the hole so repairs can continue.
Woman admits murdering partner
A woman has admitted the murder of her partner in Gomersal.
Michelle Spencer pleaded guilty to the charge this morning as her trial was due to start. The 48-year-old hairdresser had previously denied murdering David Butterfield at her home in Shirley Terrace on January 13 but changed her plea to guilty during an eight minute hearing this morning.
She will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court tomorrow.
Man tells of time working with Peter Sallis on Summer Wine set
A man who worked with Last of the Summer Wine actor Peter Sallis has paid tribute, and told of his anecdotes working on set with the star.
James Mellor worked with the late Mr Sallis during the 2002 30th anniversary series as an assistant director, as well as on an episode of daytime drama Doctors.
He described Mr Sallis as a “lovely man” and “full of interesting stories”. “I drove Peter and Frank (Thornton) to set when they were telling me about their time in WW2 (in the) RAF”, James said.
“They told me) how they navigated at night using the stars on missions over to Germany. (It was) a fascinating glimpse into a past world.”
Calderdale woman to direct Obama Presidential Centre
A Greetland woman has been named the new director of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago, USA.
Dr Louise Bernard, who originally hails from Calderdale, was announced to take on the role for the museum dedicated to the previous president’s time in office which aims to “inspire individuals and communities to take on our biggest challenges”.
Louise said: “I’m honoured to work alongside such a talented team at the Obama Foundation, and to have the opportunity to help guide and shape a museum that is a truly innovative social and cultural institution.”
The museum is set to open in 2021.
Undercover police try to catch out Huddersfield hotels in move to combat CSE
Police have revealed a startling move made to tackle CSE in Huddersfield.
Plain-clothed, undercover officers took children to hotels and accommodation pretending to book a double room with cash and without ID to check their responses to the signs of abuse.
It came after various premises were sent information packs on spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation, following 63 instances in which children were abused in hotels and B&Bs in Yorkshire over a two-year period. The operation was undertaken across the region, including in Leeds, Bradford, York and Hull.
Det Supt Simon Beldon said: “I am pleased that the vast majority of establishments passed the test although slightly disappointed that most only turned the officer and child away rather than actually report them to us. Only three establishments did do that.”
Shelley College announce plans for 'gender neutral' toilets
A high school has sparked outrage with plans to create gender-neutral toilets.
Shelley College have informed parents that separate loos will make way for all-inclusive, open plan toilets with enclosed cubicles. But parents aren’t happy, with some saying they weren’t consulted about the plans.
There will be more on this story later today.
Man found unhurt after he was spotted on the motorway
Police say a man has been found unharmed after he was spotted on the wrong side of the M62 yesterday.
The man was spotted near to junction 31 on the eastbound carriage near to Normanton, Wakefield. Officers, rescue services and a helicopter were deployed to search the area.
A spokesperson has now said: “Police searching for a man who was seen on the wrong side of a motorway barrier has been found unharmed.”
Thieves use blowtorch to break into couple's home
Thieves have broken into a Calderdale house using a blowtorch and then confronted a couple when they woke up.
Mark and Lauren Stevenson were woken around 2.30am by burglars searching downstairs rooms for the keys to their Audi A3 which they had bought just three weeks earlier.
Five-vehicle pile up causes congestion on M60 & M62
There is very slow traffic on the M60 this morning which is having a knock on effect on the M62.
One lane has been closed due to an accident on the anticlockwise side around junctions 18 and 17. Congestion is going back as far as junction 20 of the M62.
The accident has involved three cars, a lorry and a van so expect traffic officers to be dealing with this for a fair while. Let’s hope nobody’s been badly hurt.
Lifts out of use at station
Reports this morning that the lifts are currently out of use at the Railway Station, so be aware if you are travelling with heavy luggage or need wheelchair assistance this morning.
Leeds street closed due to high winds
If you’re a Leeds commuter or heading into the city this morning, you should be know that Neville Street (by Bridgewater Place) is currently closed in both directions to high sided vehicles due to strong winds.
Rush hour round up
Good morning, Huddersfield. Very slow on the M62 eastbound around junction 26 and junction 24. All clear on the M1.
Let’s take a look at the local traffic...
- Slow traffic on Halifax Road heading into Huddersfield town centre from Ainley Top
- Queues on Halifax Road in Hipperholme heading in both directions
- Busy but moving on the Huddersfield ring road by the old Tech college
- Heavy traffic on Wakefield Road through Mirfield
- Also very busy heading towards Cooper Bridge on Wakefield Road from Brighouse/the M62
- Slow on Ovenden Road in Halifax
- Crawling traffic on Huddersfield Road at Salterhebble, Halifax
- Busy on Whitehall Road, Wyke, heading towards the M62
Welcome to Wednesday's live blog
Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We’ll be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notification for the latest breaking stories here .
If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .
