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 also 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
'Phoning a friend' ends in disaster for two hapless drivers
If you are going to ‘phone a friend’ - make sure the friend is sober and his car is insured!
Man injured as car collides with wall
A 19-year-old man was injured this afternoon when his Hyundai car collided with a wall on Grimescar Road in the Ainley Top area.
Police said they were called to the scene just after 4pm.
The car was said to be blocking the road. The driver is thought to have suffered injuries to his hip.
Regional: Two schoolgirls hit by car outside school
Two schoolgirls have been taken to hospital with serious injuries after they were hit by a Ford Focus car outside a school in Leeds.
The girls, aged 11 and 12, were outside Allerton Grange High School when they were involved in the incident at 3.10pm today.
Police said the Focus then hit a tree. The Focus driver was also injured.
All three have been taken to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance.
Crash on Grimescar Road
* There are reports of an accident on Grimescar Road Westbound between A643 Brighouse Road and New Hey Road / Lindley Moor Road.
* One lane closed and slow traffic due to broken down vehicle on M62 Eastbound between J22 A672 (Rishworth Moor) and J23 A640 / A643 (Huddersfield).
Congestion in Berry Brow
Slow traffic along Woodhead Road, Berry Brow this afternoon.
This is due to ongoing roadworks. Traffic is slow heading in both directions.
Upgrade announced for London-bound trains
Train operator Grand Central is upgrading its fleet of trains running from West Yorkshire to London.
The company’s Class 180 trains operating from Bradford to King’s Cross via Halifax, Brighouse and Mirfield are being refurbished as part of a programme to create a more modern fleet. The programme also includes replacing the firm’s fleet of three 40-year-old high speed trains currently running on its North Yorkshire route from Sunderland to King’s Cross with newer ones.
Manchester terror attack 'could have been averted'
Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi was a ‘closed subject of interest’ at the time of attack and so not under active investigation, home secretary Amber Rudd has said.
Ms Rudd is giving a statement to the House of Commons this afternoon about the actions of intelligence agencies in the run-up to the attack in May.
It’s been revealed that in early 2017 MI5 did receive intelligence on him which was assessed as ‘not being related to terrorism’. In retrospect it can be seen that intelligence was highly relevant, but that it ‘cannot be known’ whether Abedi’s actions could have been stopped.
She said: “[in Manchester] it is conceivable that the attack might have been averted had the cards fallen differently.”
Dewsbury to get boost under historic towns revival scheme
Dewsbury has been earmarked as a historic place in need of revival.
The town has made a list of eight UK places by Historic England to be revived through their Heritage Action Zone scheme. The scheme focuses on several towns and places, predominantly in the North, which are rich in history and need a financial boost.
Kirklees Council have responded to the news, saying they are “delighted” to see Dewsbury included.
Street marshals to patrol town centre
Six street marshals have been recruited to patrol Huddersfield town centre in the run up to Christmas.
In recent months the town centre has been plagued by reports of violence and disorder. Now the Safer Kirklees Partnership has recruited six marshals to help keep people safe in the festive period. The marshals will work from 11pm to 5am on Fridays and Saturdays focusing on known troublespots in the town centre.
Read more on this story here.
Felix the Station cat's biggest fans?
Huddersfield Station’s resident feline had visits from two very big fans this lunchtime.
In case you’ve been under a rock for the last two years, the station’s pest controller has gathered herself a bit of a following on social media - 124,000 fans, to be precise. Two of them, from Australia and the USA, came to visit her today.
National news
Here’s a lunchtime round up of today’s main stories...
FRESH CALL FOR RAIL NATIONALISATION AMID ‘STAGGERING’ RISE IN FARES
Train fares in Britain will rise by an average of 3.4% in January, the rail industry announced today. The latest annual increase has been slammed by Labour who say it highlights the need for the network to be brought back into public ownership. The party joined trade unions in criticising the average 3.4% price hike, which comes into effect on January 2. Shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald said the latest increase in rail fares was “staggering”.
BREXIT PRESSURE INTENSIFIES ON PM AS SCOTTISH TORIES WARN AGAINST SEPARATE DEALS
Brexit pressure intensified on Theresa May as the leader of the Scottish Conservatives warned the Prime Minister not to cut separate deals for different parts of the UK. The intervention by Ruth Davidson came as Mrs May tried to plot a way forward in withdrawal negotiations after the Democratic Unionist Party refused to accept proposals which would have shifted Northern Ireland’s customs border to the Irish Sea. In pointed remarks, the Scottish Tory leader tweeted that any Brexit agreement must be UK-wide.
80MPH WINDS FORECAST FOR ARRIVAL OF STORM CAROLINE IN NORTH OF UK
Winds of up to 80mph are expected as Storm Caroline hits the north of Britain later this week. A severe weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for northern Scotland on Thursday. Snow and falling temperatures are also expected to affect the west of the country on Friday as Storm Carloine, the third named storm of the season, passes through. A yellow snow and ice warning is in place for Friday for Scotland, Northern Ireland, western England and Wales.
Piece Hall passes 1m visitors mark
With the Tour de Yorkshire 2018 route being revealed at the Piece Hall today, the evnue also have another exciting announcement to make.
Nicky Chance-Thompson, Chief Executive of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “It is unbelievably exciting that the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire will start at The Piece Hall on 6 May. An important part of the transformation of The Piece Hall was levelling the central courtyard to make it fit to host world class events, so you could say that the new piazza was made for the Tour de Yorkshire.It is fitting that this announcement is made the same week that our footfall reached the milestone one million figure, in just four months since the re-opening on 1 August and beating all our expectations!”
Huddersfield to miss out on Tour de Yorkshire next year
We’ve been snubbed!
The route for day two of the Tour de Yorkshire, which starts in Barnsley, has just been announced at the Piece Hall. The route, starting in Barnsley and ending in Ilkley, comes through Penistone then veers off east towards Doncaster, completely bypassing the Kirklees area.
Day four starts in Halifax, but you’ll have to venture over there or to Hebden Bridge if want to catch a glimpse of the peloton.
You can find out the full details of the routes for the four-day event here.
Hunt for man over multi-million cocaine plot
Detectives are hunting Ian Allen, who is wanted in connection with a number of large-scale drug importations.
It follows the seizure of 40kg of cocaine - with a street value of £4.8m - from crates destined for a freight company near Manchester Airport. Allen, which may not be his real name, is thought to be in his thirties and is believed to have connections in West Yorkshire as well as Greater Mancehster.
Jon Hughes, from the National Crime Agency, said: “We suspect that the organised criminals responsible for this smuggling attempt are behind a significant number of previous importations, potentially involving close to five tonnes of illegal drugs shipped into the UK.
“Ian Allen may be an alias but we do know that this individual has extensive links to Manchester and West Yorkshire.”
Anyone with information can call the National Crime Agency on 0370 496 7622 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man due to stand trial for murder of stepfather
A Huddersfield man is due to take to the dock and stand trial for the murder of his stepfather today.
Wayne Thornton, 52, is due at Leeds Crown Court accused of murdering John Utley on Royds Avenue, Paddock, in June. Thornton has admitted to a charge of manslaughter in killing 79-year-old Mr Utley, but denies murder.
The trial is estimated to last five days. More updates on our site later.
Car fire in Ravensthorpe
We’re seeing reports of a car fire on Huddersfield Road this morning.
This is near to the junction with Queen Street and Calder Road. Fire services are at the scene putting out the fire. Police are also there directing traffic.
Motorcyclist injured in RTC in Brighouse
Very slow traffic on Bradford Road in Brighouse right now due to a motorbike accident.
A motorbike collided with a red Vauxhall Corsa at the roundabout near to Tesco. Police have been at the scene and the cyclist has minor injuries only. The bike has been recovered from the scene.
Huddersfield weather
A dry and mild day in store today...
Not too chilly though with temperatures of a tropical 8 degrees.
Tour de Yorkshire route to be revealed today
The full route for next year’s Tour de Yorkshire will be revealed later this morning.
Halifax is to host the race’s finish line on day two of the race in may next year. The full route will be announced in the town today.
It’s also been announced this morning that Mark Cavendish will be taking part in next year’s event, which will be its fourth year.
Traffic update
Very slow traffic on the approach to the traffic lights at the Sun Inn and Rastrick Fire Station currently.
Expensive bike stolen
Police have issued an appeal after a high value racing bike worth nearly £4,000 was stolen from Bolster Moor.
The Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 DI2 racing bike was taken from an outbuilding at an address on Simon Green Road. The theft occurred on Saturday sometime between 4pm and Sunday morning. A 17-year-old male has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been released under investigation.
Anyone who saw the bike being taken, has been approached about its sale or has information that could assist in the investigation should contact the non-emergency 101 quoting crime reference 13170564397.
Today's Examiner
Here is today’s front page - leading on the story of 21-month-old Reuben Adams who was left with burns to his face and shoulder after he was scalded by hot water at a nursery in Fixby.
Update on the M62
Traffic now easing on the M62 eastbound, but still very congested up at Ainley Top.
No major incidents to report on the local roads.
Traffic update
Queues on the M62 eastbound at Chain Bar stretching back to Brighouse currently due to an earlier lane closure.
The westbound carriage is also very busy around junction 24 for Ainley Top this morning following an accident earlier between 24 and 23, so take care.
Good morning, Huddersfield
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 also 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 .
