08/05/2017 Midlands Today

Driving the development of electric cars,

How the region is lagging behind on recharging stations.

It's an industry where we can create tens of thousands

of jobs in the future, but they're not actually putting

the infrastructure in place here in the West Midlands

to actually encourage people to go and drive these cars.

In the past, the Government paid for new charging stations, but now the

private sector and car makers are expected to foot the bill. That is

what is happening at this service area.

Day one in the new job - tackling homelessness and congestion.

Andy Street sets out his priorities as West Midlands Mayor.

I thought the most important thing I'm going to do today

and the tone is about being a leader for all of the West Midlands.

The body in a wardrobe - a man appears in court charged

with preventing the lawful burial of a teenage girl.

The hoard of Roman coins found on land owned by - wait for it -

And with some of you crying out for rain,

we're still holding on to drier conditions

but although yesterday's temperatures may be hard to beat,

There's been a huge surge in the number of electric cars

on the road, but trying to charge them here

The region has among the smallest number

of electric car charging points in the country.

There are 757 in the region, according to the website Zap Map,

compared with 2,750 in London and 1,800 in Scotland.

That's despite this region being at the centre

for research and development into electric vehicles,

with millions of pounds being invested in the industry.

It is widely predicted many more of us

will be driving electric vehicles in just a few years' time.

But, despite being named as a hub for research and development,

it seems the West Midlands has been slow to catch up

when it comes to the infrastructure.

We are very much at the forefront of this electric car revolution,

and it's an industry where we can create tens of thousands of jobs

in the future, but we're not actually putting the infrastructure

to actually encourage people to go and drive these cars.

Rachel Butler and her husband bought two electric cars in February.

She says they have been delighted with them,

I do think the country needs to step up

and probably put more charge points in,

just because I think we're going to go that way.

"I never even thought of buying an electric car."

And now they are considering an electric car.

The average vehicle is able to drive for 100 to 125 miles

Electric cars are changing the way we use our vehicles here in the UK

Instead of popping to the petrol station to fill up,

we will be using these, electric car charging points.

Plug them in, go for a coffee, and we're good to go.

Car dealers in the West Midlands are reporting huge upturns in sales

Going through the years, momentum has gained.

In the last quarter, January to March this year,

Nissan sold more Leafs that they have in any quarter

With sales booming, the irony is this lack of charging points

could end up putting people off buying the very vehicles

our region has played a large part in developing.

Our transport correspondent, Peter Plisner,

is at a motorway service area in Worcestershire this evening,

which has more charging points than most -

thanks to investment from an electric car manufacturer.

Peter, what's being done to provide more charging stations?

I think what is happening is the private sector has been asked to

contribute more. That is why we are seeing car-makers like Tesla

introducing a new network of charging stations for their users.

Of course, if you are a user of any other brand of electric car, you

cannot use these particular stations. There are around 12,000

stations around the UK at the moment. Those figures provided by

one of the biggest providers of charging stations. They say by

pretty 20 they could be 20,000 across the UK. The country will --

thing of all grow here as well. Why is the region lacking behind when it

comes to charging stations? It was previously the Government that paid

for new charging stations, but with a shortfall in funding, there has

been a lull. Now there is a growing interest in electric cars, so

questions are being asked about why we have not got so many stations

here in the West Midlands. As I say, that is expected to grow. You have

said there is a growing interest, but will only ship increase in the

next couple of years? It has been pretty slow in the last few years,

but with things like rising fuel prices and those concerns about

emissions from diesel engines, a lot more people are thinking about

electric cars will stop figures I've seen suggest there 100,000 electric

cars on the road at the moment, but that could rise to 1 million by 20

20. Thank you. Reducing homelessness and tackling

congestion on our roads - by the new West Midlands

Mayor, Andy Street. Our reporter, Ben Godfrey,

has spent the day with him as he got used to the role

of Metro Mayor. A warning his report contains

some flash photography. Here's the man voters have chosen

to grow the West Midlands economy. Good morning. Do I call you Mr

Mayor? You can, or Andy. I have always been added, so why change? Do

you know what you have let yourself in for? I will find out in the next

few years, but I feel confident this morning, if a little daunted by the

scale of the responsibility. Day one, and Andy Street -

businessman turned politician - is back in the board room

with the task of drawing momentum the West Midlands

Combined Authority, overseeing a ?36 million annual

budget. My job is to deliver it with your

help. The Metro Mayor,

who beat Labour's Sion Simon by less than 4,000 votes,

is keen to make alliances. In some constituencies, Labour had

the most boat. How would you make progress in those constituencies? I

was told at the beginning of this campaign, I was to that the Tory

party would do well in all of the areas. I will set a tone, and that

tone is about being a leader for all of the West Midlands.

Tackling congestion is high on the shopping list

Labour were pushing for a nationalisation of the M6told.

There were aspects that we do want to go back to. It is not a closed

mind. We want to deliver, but not on the idea of nationalising the whole

thing. Cutting the price for people? For certain people at certain times,

that is the sort of thing we have to think about.

The prime ministers was one of the first to congratulate the new Metro

Mayor on Saturday. Close ties putting them out and on a sure

footing at the start of his job. The Mayor and the media arrived

at the charity St Basils Another of Andy Street's

top priorties - to bring down

the number of rough sleepers. The power of the mayor to bring

people together with new authority and possibly some new cash, we don't

know that yet, but that is what we are thinking about. Yes, I'm

learning from the experts today. Last autumn, though almost 300

people across the West Midlands sleeping rough on our streets. It is

most urgent in Birmingham, where the numbers went up by 50% in just one

year. It is the tip of a much bigger iceberg around homelessness. So I

would like to see the map's office support the work that is going on in

terms of funding homelessness, in terms of young people, so we prevent

people being on the street in the first place.

and you get the impression Andy Street has the ambition

and drive to fulfil his election promises.

Some say he'll need it all now his business is politics.

has been campaigning in the Midlands today,

setting out his plans if he became Prime Minister.

In Leamington Spa, he told a crowd that one of his first priorities,

would be to start a programme of housebuilding -

He said Labour wanted an economy and society that "works for all".

We need a serious national initiative

by building for those that need homes,

rather than building for speculative investment

to keep them empty to make more money out of them in the future.

And there's more information about the general election

and who's standing on the BBC's politics pages.

charged with preventing the lawful burial of a teenage girl.

Megan Bills from Stourbridge was found in a wardrobe,

which had been wrapped in cling film,

24-year-old Ashley Foster was remanded in custody,

to appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court next month.

Forensic officers removing evidence from the flat

where the remains of 17-year-old Megan Bills

24-year-old Ashley Foster of no fixed address appeared this morning

before Dudley magistrates, charged with preventing a lawful and decent

burial. Police were called to this address last week after neighbours

reported a smell. Inside one of the flats was a double wardrobe, wrapped

in clingfilm. When they opened it, they found the remains of a young

woman. Today, the court was told that that body had been there for a

considerable amount of time, at least a couple of weeks.

Police also discovered a fan in the flat pointing towards a window.

"we are devastated by the loss of our daughter,

whose life has so unnecessarily been cut short.

The building, which is used as a hostel,

is situated in the middle of a residential street,

One man living just a few doors away told me people wanted it gone.

Basically, people want this centre moved from here. If they don't close

this, then I might have no alternative than to move somewhere

else because we don't want the living around this area.

Four days on, the property remains sealed off,

as police continue to investigate how Megan died.

Ashley Foster was remanded in custody

and will appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court next month.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder

The 26-year-old victim was shot in the arm yesterday evening,

on Northwood Street in the Jewellery Quarter.

He's in a stable condition in hospital.

Two men, aged 21 and 20, were arrested in Hodnet Grove,

part of which remains cordoned off for forensic examination.

A fire at a food wholesalers in Stoke-on-Trent

It broke out at Cater Choice on Portland Street

Police say it was fortunate the building had been emptied

yesterday and that there was nothing valuable inside.

Two men posing as police officers have been trying to lure members

of the public into a stolen unmarked police car,

West Midlands Police have issued a warning

after a female motorist was flagged down

and asked to get into their silver coloured car on Saturday.

Police say it's since been travelling across

A jury has been shown CCTV footage which allegedly shows

a would-be terrorist investigating a storm drain,

close to the main West Coast railway line.

Today the court heard that guerrilla warfare manuals were also found

at the defendant's home in Birmingham,

containing advice about ambushing and derailing trains.

Zahid Hussain denies all the charges,

including preparing for an act of terrorism.

Our special correspondent, Peter Wilson, was in court.

As a Virgin train passes in the early hours of July 2015,

the prosecution claim that a hooded figure seen nearby

was that of Zahid Hussain, a 29-year-old Birmingham man.

Later, CCTV captured a man struggling

to lever up a manhole cover with a crowbar

The prosecution allege the footage shows Mr Hussain investigating

the high-speed stretch of railway as a possible target.

He denies attempting to make a pressure cooker bomb

The CCTV was taken here in Woodlands Road in Alum Rock.

The prosecution told the jury there is no evidence that Mr Hussain

had targeted any particular section of railway line for an attack,

but they said that is reasonable to infer

that he may have contemplated the use of railway lines

It's alleged that he'd improvised detonator parts

A pressure cooker packed with chemicals

also contained hundreds of nails and screws.

two books detailing how to ambush and derail trains.

It was claimed in court that the defendant told detectives

that he wasn't planning on detonating

Instead, he wanted to sell it to the Sun newspaper for money.

Zahid Hussain has been given permission to witness his trial

via a video link from a psychiatric unit.

Thanks for joining us on Midlands Today.

Your detailed weather forecast for the week ahead to come shortly.

Inspiring the next generation, the England cricket captain is in

Warwickshire ahead of this summer's women as macro World Cup.

And more than 500 roman coins discovered in Herefordshire

go on show at the site where they were found -

Let's turn to sport - lots to talk about from the weekend.

Dan is here, we'll start with the escape from relegation

Yes, yesterday was the final day of football's championship. This is

where our teams finished. They are all in the bottom half. Aston Villa

were 13th, all is 15th, Birmingham City 19th and Burton Albion were

20th. That does not tell the full story. The blues went into the final

game under the threat of relegation. This was Birmingham City's

final match of the season. win at Bristol City

and they'd survive. Tries to turn inside

the penalty area. Che Adams has scored

for Birmingham City! And the final whistle goes,

and Birmingham City are safe. Harry Redknapp has won two

of his three games in charge. I met them last night

for the first time, and I had a very

interesting meeting. They are very nice,

very good people. They obviously want to

take the club forward. They are not going to throw crazy

money at the prospect, to try to achieve that,

but they will invest. It's just a case of wait

and see, really now. Despite flirting dangerously close

to relegation, the Blues actually finished

above Burton Albion. but lost their final game 4-2

against play-off bound Reading. Danny Batth scoring the only goal

in the first minute in a game

which had nothing resting on it. The Championship title

was on the line at Villa Park. And when Villa's Nathan Baker

was sent off after conceding a penalty, Brighton were on course

for the silverware But Brighton hearts were broken

by an 89th minute equaliser It meant that Newcastle

won the league. But back at

the Bristol beach party, the Blues fans

were celebrating just as hard. In the Premier League,

Stoke City drew 2-2 at Bournemouth. Mame Biram Diouf

struck late for the Potters. But a Ryan Shawcross own goal

saw them share the points. And West Bromwich Albion

scored their first goal But their game at Burnley

also finished 2-2. As much as I would like to talk

about Albion scoring twice, let's talk about Birmingham City. What an

extraordinary turnaround. Last week mistakenly sent off, this week the

matchwinner. The red card was rescinded, allowing him to play, and

he scored the goal that won the match. Do you think Harry Redknapp

will stay? I'm not sure. It was a masterstroke to bring him in for the

last three matches. We shall find out this week.

And ignored no game for Wasps in the premiership. Similar to Birmingham

City. They beat Saracens but needed a try, and it was the fourth try

from the England man. It up the bonus point finish top. They won the

game by 30 points to 15. Leicester beat Worcester by 25-23,

but another good showing from them. Twickenham was the venue for

Droitwich, but not for them at the weekend. They lost in the final. It

was 37-15 in that. They scored two tries, they will always remember

that. That was their first defeat of the season. They already won the

league, they got the promotion. This was their best ever season.

It's a massive summer for the England women's cricket team.

and hoping to lift the trophy for the first time since 2009.

Well, the captain, Heather Knight, is in Warwickshire this evening

Yes, I am delighted to be joined by Heather Knight, on a chilly evening.

We can't go any further without asking, you are on crutches, what is

the problem? My fifth metatarsal in my left foot has got a very small

stress fracture. On the sly couple of weeks and then hopefully good to

go. Because we thank all you have committed to coming to see them.

Hopefully I'll be fit and ready to lead the team out at the World Cup.

The most publicised women's World Cup ever, and we have got some of

the best fans in the world. Massively excited. Hopefully I will

be out there and ready to go. We will find some of the kids that you

want to inspire. Come with me and we will find Zara. How good has it been

to have the women's captain tonight? It is good to know the what it is

like to play for England. How are you enjoying it this evening Quetta

muck it is really good because she has taught us different things,

encouraged us. That's fantastic. Come over here Darcy, Howell much

you looking forward to seeing the women winning the World Cup? Really

good. I've bet they are going to win. It will be fantastic if they

could win that World Cup here on home soil for the first time since

2009. It will be terrific and we do wish

her a very speedy recovery. Great for the junk and fans.

-- great for those young cricket fans.

unearthed by two metal detector enthusiasts,

have gone on display close to where they were found

The land belongs to none other than a Mr Treasure!

and have now returned from the British Museum.

This is the hoard of 518 Roman coins

hidden in a field in Herefordshire for 1,700 years.

When you look at the quality of these coins,

That was until two of duty paramedics

They'd been deposited in a leather satchel.

Inside the satchel, there were several hessian bags,

and those bags, we found, were stuffed with leaves.

They were hidden under two very large stones to keep it well hidden.

It's the sort of thing you always dream of,

you almost can't believe what you found.

Once we found it, we realised what it was.

We immediately knew it was a very important historical artefact

The hoard's worth a few hundred pounds, and was declared treasure.

It's now on display close to where it was found at tourist

attraction Stockton Gardens at Kimbolton near Leominster.

The coins date back to around 270 AD, a time of war, of chaos.

When you get instability, people will sort of go

and put their horde or their coins and bury them,

Because I think you wouldn't be able to trust...

You wouldn't know what was going to happen the next day.

land owned by the aptly-named Raymond Treasure, and he had to

invent a white lie to keep people away while the land was excavated.

We parked a tractor over the top of the site and told everybody

that there was an unexploded bomb to keep people away!

Since the coins were discovered four years ago, every bit

of this field has been searched, and nothing else has been found.

Only the earth knows the secret of who buried the treasure here,

close to where there was once a Roman road.

After some lovely sun yesterday, temperatures dropped again today.

and gardeners and farmers still want rain!

They are desperate and. We looking for it to the end of the week. This

was the state of the ground today, and this was after the UK as a whole

only saw 47% of the average rainfall for last month. I'm afraid the dry

spell is going to continue into the middle part of me. The theme from

last week is continuing, due to the easterly strolling in more of the

western part of the region. Today across Evesham, more like 14 and 15

degrees. This is what is keeping things settled at the moment. High

pressure is sitting across us, drawing in winds from the East,

drawing in the cloud from the North Sea. By the end of Thursday, we have

got low pressure taking over which will be bringing in rain from the

South, which will spread northwards through Friday and into the start of

the weekend. You could see some heavy downpours from that, but it

moves northwards and may become lighter. We are hoping that it

doesn't do so for the farmers and gardeners. This evening, there is a

clear line marking the boundary between cloudy conditions to the

east and clearer conditions to the West. The cloud moves across all

parts during the course of the night. Temperatures will hold up to

around six or seven Celsius, but in the clearest bells across the

south-west, temperatures may reach as low as four Celsius, low in the

countryside. You will see some pleasant spells of sunshine once

again tomorrow across western areas more particularly. With the figure

cloud, just the odd spot of rain. Temperatures between 13 and 15

Celsius. The cloud will shrink back tomorrow night, so much clearer

skies as we head into Wednesday. That is when we get the best of the

sunshine this week. Cloudy and warm at was the end the week.

On tomorrow's programme, an ancient castle -

which has stood over Herefordshire's Golden Valley

is finally to be renovated after decades of neglect.

Snodhill Castle has been saved by a group of villagers

and secured a grant of ?500,000 to stabilise and repair

I feel that we're actually honouring the people who built this place

by looking after it now on their behalf,

and not restoring it in an artificial way,

That's all from us for now, I'll be back with your next news at 10:30pm.