Birmingham Post

Walkout Hits City's Pounds 2bn Pfi Contract

Another consortium bidding for a pounds 2.2 billion contract to repair and manage Birmingham's roads has pulled out, casting doubt on whether the scheme will go ahead. Atkins EDF Energy quit the bidding process for the Highways PFI days after promising to turn the city's arterial routes into green corridors by planting thousands of trees.

Hopes High for Hospital

Bosses of a Birmingham hospital said they remained "confident and optimistic" their pounds 559 million super hospital will be approved, after learning that a pounds 1.1 billion PFI scheme in London had been given the go ahead. The proposed rebuilding of Barts and Royal London Hospitals had been put on hold since December when Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt called in the plans for a review.

'Airport Plans Are Blighting Our Homes'

Residents living in the shadow of Birmingham International Airport last night called on the hub's bosses to acknowledge that far off expansion plans were already blighting properties. Airport chiefs were criticised at a public meeting by people who claimed that proposals to build a second runway after 2020 were causing "uncertainty" in the community.

Union Leader Critical of Blair's Education Bill

Birmingham's progress in school attainment risks being put into reverse under proposals in yesterday's Education Bill, a union leader says. Brian Carter, West Midlands regional secretary of the National Union of Teachers, claimed allowing schools to "go their own way" in independent trusts was a mistake.

Legal Matters: Cracking the Code Over Copyright

Intellectual property litigation experts at Birmingham-based law firm Eversheds said the Da Vinci Code case again raised the issue of copyright infringement. Rupert Bent, the company's intellectual property litigator, argued that while it could be difficult to prove copying had occurred, the case illustrated the importance to businesses of protecting valuable copyright material as well as monitoring possible infringements.

Legal Matters: Whodunnit First? The Da Vinci Plot Thickens

The second instalment of the battle over The Da Vinci Code novel became a whodunnit first row at the High Court yesterday. Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh are suing publishers, Random House, claiming the internationally successful novel by American Dan Brown lifts from their 1982 best seller, The Holy Blood And The Holy Grail (HBHG).

Legal Matters: Probation Staff Suspended Over Critical Report Into Financier's Killing

Four probation staff were suspended yesterday after an official inquiry exposed a catalogue of failings in the management of two criminals who killed financier John Monckton. Chief inspector of probation, Andrew Bridges, concluded there had been a "collective failure" in the supervision of Damien Hanson and Elliot White.

Midland: Tragic Toddler Drowned in Sheep Dip While Mother Worked Nearby

A toddler drowned in a disused sheep dip at his parents' farm just minutes after going outside to play, an inquest has been told. Sam Bradbury, aged two, had wondered into the yard with his Jack Russell puppy Lucy while his mother Jennifer was busy working in the kitchen.

Midland: Singer Arrested in City Centre

Troubled singer Pete Doherty was arrested on suspicion of stealing a car after being chased by police the wrong way up a one- way street in Birmingham city centre. The Babyshambles front-man was held for possession of Class A drugs after he was followed by officers in an unmarked car west- bound on the M6 into the city.

Midland: Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner

Midland: Protesters Lose Battle Over Hall

Campaigners have lost their fight to save a popular 350-year-old Solihull building. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister upheld an appeal by developers against a Solihull Council decision to block plans for a 14-unit, three-storey apartment block on Fowgay Hall.

Midland: Birmingham Council Tax Set for the Lowest City Rise

A 1.9 per cent council tax rise in Birmingham next month will be the lowest of any major English city. The increase, 37p a week for a Band D home, is less than Manchester, Liverpool or Leeds.

Midland: No More Burgers for Diabetic Elvis

A lorry-driving Elvis impersonator wants to raise awareness about diabetes in Shropshire and Staffordshire today. A free one-act play called All Shook Up will be staged in Wellington and Stafford to educate people about type-two diabetes, linked to bad diets and obesity. The story follows Frank through his unhealthy lifestyle and initial health fears, through to disbelief when diagnosed, and his subsequent depression before accepting he needs to change.

Midland: News Digest - David and Fiona Hartless

Midland: News Digest - Coseley Killing

Detectives named a 37-year-old woman fatally stabbed in Coseley. The body of Karen Hartshorne was found on Sunday morning.

Midland: News Digest - Taking Flight

Midland: News Digest - Police Search

Midland: News Digest - Mp's Ambition

Midland: News Digest - Fatal Crash

Midland: Read the Post Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere

Readers who cannot get their hands on a copy of The Birmingham Post never have to miss an issue again. The Post's e-paper launches today, offering subscribers the chance to view the paper on their computer screen.