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 .

M62 fire blog now running

A vehicle fire on the eastbound carriageway is causing large rush-hour tailbacks.

We’re running a live blog on it here.

  • Share

Vehicle fire causes massive tailbacks on M62

Queuing traffic due to vehicle fire and rolling road block on M62 eastbound between J27 M621 / A650 / A62 (Gildersome) and J28 A650 / A653 (Tingley).

We’re about to open a dedicated blog. Follow here and we’ll post the link shortly.

Traffic jam caused by vehicle fire on M62
Traffic jam caused by vehicle fire on M62 (Image: Google)
  • Share

Is Hand Off HRI's Sean Doyle to stand for Parliament?

Sean became a campaigning marathon runner after HRI saved him from a double heart attack.

  • Share

Gas company apologises for traffic jams

The firm behind the Wakefield Road gasworks has apologised to drivers caught up in tailbacks.

Northern Gas Networks (NGN) says the current work was essential.

Heavy traffic on Somerset Road, due to gas works at Aspley.
Heavy traffic on Somerset Road, due to gas works at Aspley.
  • Share

A blast from Sir Pat's past

Sir Patrick Stewart doing a spot of 18th century drama during his younger days.

The Georgian wig may also help disguise the Mirfield-born actor’s premature baldness; Sir Pat started losing his hair aged 19.

  • Share

Husband attempted to groom '14-year-old girl'

A man has been given a suspended jail sentence after chatting sexually online to someone he thought was a 14-year-old schoolgirl.

And the offence has also cost 57-year-old Colin Pollard his wife and his home.

Online abuse
Online abuse (Image: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)
  • Share

Sir Patrick backs Town's support for refugees

Mirfield actor Sir Patrick Stewart has praised Huddersfield Town for their work to celebrate refugees.

It comes as the veteran actor and lifelong Town fan joins Amnesty International in a campaign to highlight the contribution of refugees to the beautiful game.

He said: “It’s wonderful to see the footballing community celebrate the contribution of refugees to the beautiful game, while at the same time helping create a more welcoming environment for people who have sought safety on these shores.

“I’m thrilled my club, Huddersfield Town AFC, are backing this fantastic Football Welcomes initiative.”

Patrick Stewart came to watch the game English Football League Sky Bet Championship Huddersfield Town v Burton Albion 01/04/17 (Pic by John Rushworth) Football Images are covered by DataCo licence agreements. For Editorial Use Only No Free Use permitted.
Patrick Stewart watches a Huddersfield Town game
  • Share

Officer speaks out on wearing a hijab on the beat

West Yorkshire Police’s first hijab-wearing officer has spoken about wearing a headscarf on the beat.

Pc Tayyaba Afzal deals with handling criminals on a daily basis, and says people shouldn’t be judged any differently based on what they wear according to their fath.

The Bradford-based officer told the Asian Express today “a person’s role in society shouldn’t be seen as any different from anybody who doesn’t wear the hijab or the turban or the mosque hat”, adding: “I feel strongly about wearing the hijab as it’s an intrinsic part of my beliefs and values. It’s a shame that we live in an age where we are judged by the way we look, but that’s why I have joined to bust these myths and overcome the barriers others may perceive that exist.”

Pc Tayyaba Afzal with Pc Amjad Ditta
Pc Tayyaba Afzal with Pc Amjad Ditta
  • Share

Police appeal after man grabbed by throat in racial attack on train

Do you recognise this man? Police want to speak to him after a passenger on a Yorkshire train service was grabbed by the throat in a racially-motivated assault.

British Transport Police have released his image after the victim was barged into and subject to verbal, racial abuse. The victim then asked the man to repeat himself before the suspect grabbed him by the throat and tightly squeezed his neck, locking his arms out. The victim was then pushed backwards down the train and fell back into another passenger.

The attack happened on a service from Sheffield to Hull on April 6 shortly before 6pm. The suspect could be from anywhere in Yorkshire or further afield.

Anyone with any information should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or text 61016 citing reference 320 25/04/2017.

(Image: British Transport Police)
  • Share

There is a Felix the Station Cat colouring book (because of course there is)

Tired of colouring in butterflies and mandalas? Now it seems you can turn your pencil to a more fur-miliar sight...

Huddersfield’s resident station cat has bought out a colouring book. It seems the Senior Pest Controller, not content with Examiner headline domination, is asking you lot to get creative!

The book is all for a good cause though, raising money for Cash For Kids, and will be available from the charity’s website from Friday. There is also a cuddly Felix toy complete with her superhero cape...

Felix the Huddersfield Station Cat brings out a colouring book
Felix the Huddersfield Station Cat brings out a colouring book (Image: Felix the Huddersfield Station Cat)
  • Share

Teacher announces bid to contest Batley & Spen seat as independent

A Heckmondwike Grammar School teacher has announced he is leaving UKIP to stand as an ‘Independent Brexit Candidate’ in Batley & Spen seat.

Aleks Lukic will contest Labour’s Tracy Brabin for the seat in June’s election. The 27-year-old has pledged to fight for lower taxes and more local school places.

He said: “Now we are at the Brexit Election, having triggered Article 50, and I am offering my full backing for Theresa May’s Brexit programme. Batley and Spen voted overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit, but our recently elected Labour MP Tracy Brabin voted to stay in the EU.”

Aleks is pictured on the far left of the picture.

(Far left) Aleks Lukic with former Dewsbury councillor Mark Eastwood and fellow Vote Leave campaigners
(Far left) Aleks Lukic with former Dewsbury councillor Mark Eastwood and fellow Vote Leave campaigners
  • Share

PMQs: MP met with noise as he asks PM to speak out on A&E closure

Jason McCartney spoke in Parliament this lunchtime asking the Prime Minister to echo praise for the Hands Off HRI campaign, and was met with plenty of noise as Labour were blamed for the PFI deal.

The Colne Valley Tory MP spoke during Prime Minister’s Questions highlighting the decision to close the service at HRI following debts due to the deal.

He said: “My local CCG is planning to downgrade A&E at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and move it to Halifax. This has been dictated by a disastrous PFI deal. I have been fighting these appalling plans alongside the community campaign group Hands Off HRI, led by Karl Deitch.

“Will the Prime Minister join me in praising the community campaign as led by Karl? Does she agree with me that patients should be suffering as a result of these catastrophic PFI deals assigned by the last Labour government? And will she ensure that communities like mine have their voices listened to properly?”

Jason McCartney speaks in House of Commons about Hands Off HRI campaign
Jason McCartney speaks in House of Commons about Hands Off HRI campaign (Image: Parliament TV)

The PM responded to say: “It’s an issue he has raised with my previously. I know he has been a tireless campaigner on this issue. He’s been a strong voice for his local constituency and he has put his case forward very persuasively to ministers. But he’s absolutely right. It’s Labour’s disastrous PFI deals that are causing the NHS more than £1bn every year.”

  • Share

Motorcyclist taken to LGI after Kirkburton collision

Yorkshire Ambulance Service have confirmed a man in his twenties was taken to Leeds General Infirmary following the motorbike collision in Kirkburton earlier this morning.

Ambulance
Ambulance
  • Share

LIVE: Police on keeping us safe over Tour de Yorkshire weekend

Looking forward to the Tour de Yorkshire on Sunday? Here’s West Yorkshire Police’s Assistant Chief Constable Mark Milsom discussing their plans to ensure the day is enjoyed safely.

Tune in to their Facebook Live below or head to the police’s Facebook page to catch up!

  • Share

Did you spot travellers in Brighouse?

Calderdale Council have reportedly taken legal action after a group of travellers were spotted in Brighouse earlier this week - after they hung their washing (!) outside a church.

The group arrived on Monday and clothes were seen hanging outside the Central Methodist Church on Commercial Street. They left the site this morning.

Central Methodist Church, Brighouse
Central Methodist Church, Brighouse
  • Share

Man released after being quizzed over Lindsay Rimer murder

A man arrested on suspicion of the murder of Lindsay Rimer has been released, police say.

The 68-year-old was arrested yesterday in Bradford and questioned over the Calderdale teen’s death in the 1990s. A 63-year-old man who was arrested in November 2016 on the suspicion of Lindsay’s murder remains on police bail whilst enquiries continue.

Enquiries are ongoing.

(Image: PA)
  • Share

Police appeal after men tried to rob Fartown phone shop in broad daylight

Police say they are looking for witnesses following an attempted robbery in Fartown on Monday afternoon.

It happened at around 4.35pm when two men entered the IPhones store on Bradford Road, threatening staff and demanding they hand over stock and mobile phones. Both made off empty-handed.

Both suspects are described as black and in their twenties. One was wearing a black sports sweater, black cap and black tracksuit bottoms. The other had his face covered.

Det Con Simon Thomas of Kirklees CID said:

“The incident took place on a busy road at a peak time, when there will have been a number of people in the area and I am certain that someone will have seen the suspects either entering or leaving the premises.”

Iphones store on Bradford Road, Fartown
Iphones store on Bradford Road, Fartown
  • Share

It's reet cold up North!

Weather experts have predicted a greater North-South divide in climate changes, which could have a knock on effect on our gardens.

Drier summers and more frequent days of “extreme rainfall” in the winter will see Britons face a greater challenge to maintain their gardens, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said.

Its report, compiled with input from Met Office experts and university academics, analysed the potential impact of climate change on the nation’s gardens and found a north-south divide in what gardeners can expect. The south of England is predicted to become warmer and drier, while the country north of Northampton is set to be cooler and wetter, resulting in an extended growing season.

Get those blooms planted!

Crocus form a beautiful carpet at Low Westwood canalside gardens, Golcar
Crocus form a beautiful carpet at Low Westwood canalside gardens, Golcar (Image: Ann-Marie Brook)
  • Share

Scenes as traffic is snarled up on Wakefield Road

Traffic remains tightly snarled up on Wakefield Road and congestion is on many of the surrounding roads at the moment - so please avoid the entire area if possible.

Here is the scene at Dog Kennel Bank coming down onto Somerset Road earlier. I reckon that scooter looks a much speedier commute than being sat in bottleneck traffic!

Heavy traffic queueing up Dog Kennel Bank.
Heavy traffic queueing up Dog Kennel Bank.

Eyewitnesses have reported seeing cars turning round to find alternative routes due to the slow traffic. Here’s what to expect if you’re heading into town from Almondbury on Somerset Road...

Heavy traffic on Somerset Road, due to gas works at Aspley.
Heavy traffic on Somerset Road, due to gas works at Aspley.
  • Share

Penistone Road cleared following motorbike accident

Traffic on Penistone Road now appears to have cleared following a motorbike accident this morning.

Eyewitness accounts say that a motorcyclist was knocked off their bike at the junction between North Road and Penistone Road and was treated at the scene. We will let you know if we hear anymore on the state of his or her injuries.

Ambulance, emergency, stock, NHS
Ambulance, emergency, stock, NHS
  • Share

Train strikes confirmed to go ahead

A 24 hour train strike on Friday will go ahead after union talks failed to prevent them.

RMT union members are set to walk out for a third time over staffing concerns. The strike will be affecting Northern Rail trains, but TransPennine Express services will remain unaffected.

Services affected will include the Huddersfield to Leeds service, Brighouse to Leeds, Slaithwaite to Marsden and Huddersfield to Manchester Northern Rail service. More specific details will be on our website later today.

A Northern Rail train
A Northern Rail train (Image: PA)
  • Share

Delays on Wakefield Road, Aspley, again this morning

Looks like there are a few traffic problems on Wakefield Road in Aspley again this morning.

Motorists were held up for ages yesterday along the major commuter route from Waterloo up to the Aspley traffic lights due to roadworks.

Traffic reports are saying delays are still occurring this morning by the junction with Firth Street.

Aspley roadworks cause large traffic queues and chaos.
Aspley roadworks cause large traffic queues and chaos.
  • Share

Police called over collision between car and motorbike

Police have confirmed they were called over an accident in Kirkburton earlier this morning.

A spokesman said they received a call at 7.35am to a collision between a car and a motorbike.

The collision does appear to have occurred on North Road near the junction with Penistone Road, and has been temporarily blocked off. No word yet on whether anyone has been injured.

  • Share

North Road closed following Kirkburton collision

We’re now seeing reports that North Road in Kirkburton is closed by the junction for Penistone Road.

This is due to an accident earlier this morning and is already causing delays. We’ll keep you posted.

North Road, Kirkburton
North Road, Kirkburton
  • Share

Pictured: Sun rise above Castle Hill

Wow - check out the view on that!

This lovely picture shows the sun rising behind Castle Hill this morning.

  • Share

Possible motorbike accident on Penistone Road

A little more information on what’s happening on Penistone Road this morning...

It appears a motorbike has been in some sort of collision. An eyewitness told the Examiner that the traffic is slow heading towards Huddersfield near The Foxglove pub.

The eyewitness said: “There is a motorbike with L-plates that looks like it’s been in an accident. There are no signs of any other vehicles it could have collided with.

“There is an ambulance responder and two police cars there.”

Penistone Road, Kirkburton
Penistone Road, Kirkburton (Image: Google Street View)
  • Share

Terriers inch further to hopes of a promotion

Huddersfield Town won a place in the Championship play-offs last night, after beating the Wolves 1-0.
Despite disappointment over chances of an automatic promotion dashed by Newcastle’s victory on Monday night, the club have another shot after beating Wolverhampton.Take a look at last night’s match report here.

Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner celebrates at the final whistle of the SkyBet clash against Wolves.
Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner celebrates at the final whistle of the SkyBet clash against Wolves.
  • Share

Reports of an accident on Penistone Road, Kirkburton

Seeing reports of an accident on Penistone Road at Kirkburton this morning which is causing slow traffic. Here’s a round up of what else is happening on the local roads...

  • 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 - things are 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
Commuting times have been creeping up in West Yorkshire
Commuting times have been creeping up in West Yorkshire
  • Share

What's happening on the motorways?

Morning, all. Everything appears to be in Bristol fashion on the motorways this morning - the usual slow, crawling queues on the M62 eastbound at junction 26 and 24 but all clear otherwise. I’ll let you know should this change.

The M62 between Huddersfield and Manchester
The M62 between Huddersfield and Manchester
  • Share

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.

Young Rodge with his mum and siblings - just three of the 600 lambs expected this spring at Cannon Hall Farm
Young Rodge the lamb with his mum and siblings at Cannon Hall Farm

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 .

  • Share