0:00:00 > 0:00:02he hopes to prove the earnings forecasts wrong.
0:00:02 > 0:00:03Hello and welcome to Midlands Today.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05The headlines this lunchtime:
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Gridlock in Birmingham City Centre as roadworks at one island
0:00:07 > 0:00:13causes traffic chaos.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15The works at Holloway are part of a bigger picture,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18a bigger programme of work to try to keep traffic moving
0:00:18 > 0:00:20around the city centre, so this will play its part in that
0:00:20 > 0:00:22along with other junction improvements
0:00:22 > 0:00:27that are going to come next year.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Transforming vinyl into art.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31How this Staffordshire artist's work has picked up a celebrity following.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34And Wolves' biggest home win on the season raises their hopes
0:00:34 > 0:00:39of promotion to the Premier League.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Good afternoon.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Drivers have been complaining about increasing levels of congestion
0:00:55 > 0:00:56around Birmingham city centre.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Some roads have been gridlocked because of roadworks
0:00:58 > 0:01:00at several major junctions,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03and with Christmas approaching, things are expected to get worse.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Our transport correspondent, Peter Plisner has been monitoring
0:01:06 > 0:01:09things today and he joins us from one those congestion hotspots.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Peter, what's been happening?
0:01:14 > 0:01:20This is one of Birmingham's busiest junctions, Holloway Circus. As you
0:01:20 > 0:01:25can see, pretty congested. The roadworks are ironically designed to
0:01:25 > 0:01:30ease congestion but causing worse congestion than before. If you look
0:01:30 > 0:01:35appear, the traffic is queueing back all the way up Holloway head. It is
0:01:35 > 0:01:39so bad that the City Council is urging people to find alternative
0:01:39 > 0:01:41ways to get into work.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Our message to all people travelling to Birmingham is
0:01:43 > 0:01:44as much as possible use public transport,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47walking and cycling are key priorities for us now,
0:01:47 > 0:01:48so that's the key messages.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Yes, works are taking place, and while they are,
0:01:50 > 0:01:51that should be everybody's key priority,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54to use other forms of transport other than the private car
0:01:54 > 0:02:00to get in and around Birmingham.
0:02:00 > 0:02:06Why couldn't the work has been done over the summer when it is quieter
0:02:06 > 0:02:09on the roads?The problem is there are so many schemes to be done
0:02:09 > 0:02:12around Birmingham that things have to be slotted in. It certainly could
0:02:12 > 0:02:15not have been done during the summer. There were other things
0:02:15 > 0:02:19happening. And it cannot be done next to because the HS2 work will
0:02:19 > 0:02:24start. It had to be done now. That is the main problem. It has to be
0:02:24 > 0:02:27slotted into a specific time frame. This is the only time frame they can
0:02:27 > 0:02:33get.Is it likely to get any better before Christmas?Of course a lot
0:02:33 > 0:02:37more traffic on the road at Christmas, but what we are told is
0:02:37 > 0:02:41that these roadworks and some others will be listed in the middle of
0:02:41 > 0:02:43December so at least some relief from the congestion over that
0:02:43 > 0:02:51period.Indeed. Thank you.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54And we'd love to hear from you about your drive through Birmingham.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56So do get in touch on Twitter, Facebook or email us.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59West Midlands Police have released shocking images of an elderly man
0:02:59 > 0:03:01who was attacked at his home in Sutton Coldfield
0:03:01 > 0:03:02earlier this week.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05A warning, the picture you're about to see of Arthur Gumbley
0:03:05 > 0:03:07is very disturbing.
0:03:07 > 0:03:1087-year-old Mr Gumbley was viciously beaten and robbed
0:03:10 > 0:03:12in his home on Tuesday night.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16He was found lying on the floor and he'd been punched and kicked.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19The thieves ransacked the house and stole cash.
0:03:19 > 0:03:25Officers are looking for two men in connection with the attack.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27A toddler has died afer being seriously hurt
0:03:27 > 0:03:28at a house in Birmingham.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Emergency services were called to an address in Northfield
0:03:31 > 0:03:32on Sunday following reports
0:03:32 > 0:03:37that a 21-month-old child was unconscious.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39The girl was taken to Birmingham Children s Hospital
0:03:39 > 0:03:43in a critical condition but pronounced dead last night.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46A 28-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman have been arrested
0:03:46 > 0:03:53on suspicion of causing or allowing serious injury to a child.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Plans for the West Midlands Mayor to take on responsibility
0:03:55 > 0:03:58for policing in 2020 have been announced as part
0:03:58 > 0:04:04of second devolution deal in yesterday's budget.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06The move would see the role of
0:04:06 > 0:04:07Police and Crime Commissioner scrapped.
0:04:07 > 0:04:08The current Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson
0:04:08 > 0:04:10and the Mayor Andy Street
0:04:10 > 0:04:16are both due to complete their respective terms in 2020.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20A Staffordshire artist is gaining worldwide fame thanks to portraits
0:04:20 > 0:04:30of music icons that he creates using just old records.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Ben Rieley's pictures are believed to have been bought by the likes
0:04:38 > 0:04:40of Pharrell Williams, Olly Murs,
0:04:40 > 0:04:41and a number of Premier League footballers.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44This weekend he will be in Las Vegas for his latest exhibition.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45Ben Sidwell reports.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48When it comes to breaking records in the art world,
0:04:48 > 0:04:49Ben Reilly from Audley in North Staffordshire
0:04:49 > 0:04:50is in a different league.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52I came up with this light bulb moment.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55It had what it takes because it's so unique and different
0:04:55 > 0:04:57and there's no-one else in the world doing it.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Ben's idea was to create portraits of music icons
0:04:59 > 0:05:04using only bits of old records.
0:05:04 > 0:05:13No other materials are used in the pictures.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16All the intricate details are formed using ground up vinyl.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17# Don't fool me now.#
0:05:17 > 0:05:18His work soon began to gain
0:05:18 > 0:05:20notoriety on the internet, and quickly, demand grew.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23From the village of Audley in North Staffordshire, to London,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Ben's work is now being sold
0:05:26 > 0:05:30in galleries around the world.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32At Silver Star Gallery in Chester, Ben is one
0:05:32 > 0:05:35of the most popular artists.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40Here they've sold over 50 of his works at £1,600 a portrait.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45Each piece is unique to itself, hence the price tag on the pieces.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47But they have been massively popular.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Our customers really do, really do love Ben's
0:05:50 > 0:05:52work, as I do myself.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Pharrell Williams, Olly Murs and a number of Premier League
0:05:55 > 0:05:59footballers are believed to now own his work.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02As for Ben, well, he's jetting off to Las Vegas for his latest
0:06:02 > 0:06:04art show this weekend.
0:06:04 > 0:06:11Ben Sidwell, BBC Midlands Today, Audley.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Football, and Wolves are now four points clear
0:06:13 > 0:06:17of the Championship table after beating Leeds 4-1 last night.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20The goals came from four different goalscorers.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It's their biggest home win of the season and raises hopes
0:06:23 > 0:06:27of promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31Dan Pallet reports.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33These are bountiful days at Molineux.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36And on the menu last night, another feast of football
0:06:36 > 0:06:39topped of with a large dollop of goals.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40topped off with a large dollop of goals.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42And this wasn't stodgy fare either.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Wolves are playing some sumptious stuff.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Barry Douglas served up a tasty starter with this free kick.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49The main courses were even better.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Ivan Cavaleiro finished off a flowing move with
0:06:51 > 0:06:54this excellent finish.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57And although Leeds scored a fine goal of their own
0:06:57 > 0:07:01through Ezgjan Alioski the game quickly swung back in Wolves favour
0:07:01 > 0:07:04after Ronaldo Vieira was sent-off.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08Diogo Jota showed a great pace and composure for number three.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12And dessert came via the penalty spot.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Intense Wolves pressure earned them a penalty.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16And Helder Costa dispatched it for a 4-1 win
0:07:16 > 0:07:20which moves them four points clear.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25Now we go from feat to famine.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Now we go from feast to famine.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Birmingham City have the worst away record in the Championship.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32And they've scored just three times away from St Andrews this season.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35So once Britt Assombalonga had put Middlesbrough in front
0:07:35 > 0:07:36at the Riverside, the result was entirely predictable.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Things may have turned out differently had Che Adams hit
0:07:39 > 0:07:42the back of the net instead of goalkeeper Darren Randolph.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Assombalonga showed him how it's done with his and Boro's second.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49The consoaltion for Blues after a 2-0 defeat,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52they still remain just above the bottom three.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57Dan Pallett, BBC Midlands Today.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Time for the weather now,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02and it was really mild this morning in some parts,
0:08:02 > 0:08:03is it going to continue?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05is it going to continue?
0:08:05 > 0:08:10We have got a big change to come. It is going to get much colder. Get
0:08:10 > 0:08:17your winter clothes out. It was a lively 24 hours of weather. We had
0:08:17 > 0:08:20gusts of 50 mph. This was the theme in the structure this morning,
0:08:20 > 0:08:24stunning. We had beautiful blue skies but not everywhere. We have
0:08:24 > 0:08:28showers working their way in from the west. We have quite a lot of
0:08:28 > 0:08:31cloud. Showers will be lively and blustery. Tomorrow, it is turning
0:08:31 > 0:08:35colder and there will be some sunshine back on the menu. This is
0:08:35 > 0:08:38what we have this afternoon, showers pushing their way in. The winds will
0:08:38 > 0:08:44strengthen along that. It is not as windy as it was yesterday. Plenty of
0:08:44 > 0:08:49out there as well, though. There might be some sleet involved in the
0:08:49 > 0:08:54coldest areas. As we had through the remainder of the day, clear skies
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and we're back into the chilly nights. We are likely to see a touch
0:08:58 > 0:09:08of frost. Loans of between two and five Celsius. -- low temperatures of
0:09:08 > 0:09:11between two and five Celsius. Winds will ease off and sunshine for
0:09:11 > 0:09:18tomorrow. A crisp, autumnal day. Why dry and we should not see many
0:09:18 > 0:09:21showers. Temperatures six to eight Celsius. More of that,
0:09:21 > 0:09:22showers. Temperatures six to eight Celsius. More of that, on Saturday
0:09:22 > 0:09:25but it is certainly feeling much colder. I will get my jumper out
0:09:25 > 0:09:25then.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26That's all for now.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Nick Owen will be back with Midlands Today at 6:30pm on BBC 1.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32From everyone here on the lunchtime team, have a lovely afternoon.