Greenwich

England, United Kingdom

Latest Stories

OneWeb: Broadband satellite company is 'playing the long game'
The CEO of the UK-based mega-constellation start-up says he's preparing for a decades-long venture.

Severe accident: M23 West Sussex northbound

BBC News Travel

M23 West Sussex northbound severe accident, from J9 for to J8 for .

M23 West Sussex - One lane closed and queues on M23 northbound in Surrey from J9, Gatwick Airport to J8, M25 Interchange, because of an accident involving two cars and van.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Today's South East news website headlines

Papers
Getty Images

The Argus: Witnesses investigate reports of body at King's House, Hove

Kent Online: Herne Bay dad facing extradition to Portugal nine years after causing death at bar

Get Surrey: The face of the Guildford Nando's hammer attacker

Chichester Observer: Police appeal for owner of mystery bag on Bognor Regis beach

Eastbourne Herald: Eastbourne traders up in arms over ongoing work

Crawley and Horley Observer: Grandmother died after eating listeria-contaminated sandwich at West Sussex hospital

Worthing Herald: New Monks Farm development to 'unlock opportunities' for Lancing and the surrounding area

Mid Sussex Times: Man arrested at Three Bridges after reports of shooting

Brighton & Hove News: Brighton university student spared prison for second time

Hastings Observer: Police use spikes to stop car stolen from St Leonards

Brighton & Hove Independent: Schools, businesses and churches in Brighton don woolly hats to prevent homelessness

Teen, 16, in hospital after north London stabbing

A 16-year-old boy is recovering his hospital after being stabbed in north London yesterday afternoon.

The victim was attacked on Broadlands Close, Highgate, shortly after 16:00.

He was treated at the scene and then taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition, the Met Police has said.

No arrests have been made, but officers are continuing to investigate, the force added.

Severe accident: M11 Essex southbound

BBC News Travel

M11 Essex southbound severe accident, from J8A for A120 to J7 for A414 Canes Lane.

M11 Essex - One lane blocked and it's very slow on M11 southbound from J8a A120 to J7, A414 (Harlow), because of an accident involving three vehicles.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe accident: A2 London eastbound

BBC News Travel

A2 London eastbound severe accident, at Danson Road.

A2 London - Temporary closure and stationary on A2 eastbound in Bexley at the Danson Road junction, because of an accident.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Piccadilly line signalling 'number one priority'

Local Democracy Reporting Service

New signalling on the Piccadilly line is the “number one priority” for Transport for London (TfL), according to the network’s boss.

London Transport Commissioner Mike Brown said the increase to capacity would be “like an entirely new service in London”.

Modern signalling allows more trains and a more reliable service on Underground lines – meaning the Piccadilly line could run every 90 seconds.

TfL has already commissioned 94 new trains to replace the 50-year-old rolling stock on the line, with the first expected in 2023.

Their design will allow 12% more passengers to board – but it could be boosted by 60% with a more regular service.

That would allow 21,000 more passengers to use the line every hour.

The £2.45 billion signalling upgrade was shelved in 2018 as TfL tightened the purse strings in an effort to cut its deficit.

Labour assembly member Joanne McCartney – who represents Enfield and Haringey – said the difference between the Piccadilly and Victoria lines was now “very stark”.

She said it would be “completely bonkers” if new trains ran on the line for years without a signalling upgrade.

Ms McCartney said: “For my part of north London this is our main route into Heathrow, the UK’s biggest airport – and it’s also the most affordable route.”

The Piccadilly line carries more people to Heathrow than any other train to any other airport anywhere in the world.

Severe disruption: M25 Essex anti-clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Essex anti-clockwise severe disruption, before J26 for A121.

M25 Essex - One lane closed and queues on M25 anticlockwise before J26, A121 (Waltham Abbey), because of a car that's broken down.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe accident: A4202 London southbound

BBC News Travel

A4202 London southbound severe accident, from A40 Oxford Street to Upper Brook Street.

A4202 London - A4202 Park Lane in Mayfair blocked and queues southbound from Marble Arch to Aston Martin dealership, because of an accident. Congestion to A5 Edgware Road to Lisson Grove.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

London's weather: Chilly but a bright day

BBC Weather

A chilly start with mist and fog clearing to give another dry and bright day with periods of sunshine but also cloudy at times. Winds turning to the south east and freshening in the late afternoon.

Maximum temperature: 6 to 9°C (43 to 48°F).

Severe disruption: M4 London eastbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London eastbound severe disruption, at J4 for Heathrow.

M4 London - M4 lane closed on exit slip road eastbound at J4, Heathrow, because of a break down.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe disruption: M4 London westbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London westbound severe disruption, at J2 for A4 Great West Road.

M4 London - One lane closed and queues on M4 outbound at J2, A4 (Brentford), because of a break down. Congestion to Hogarth Roundabout.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe disruption: M25 Kent anti-clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Kent anti-clockwise severe disruption, at J4 for .

M25 Kent - M25 lane closed on exit slip road and it's slow anticlockwise at J4, Orpington, because of a lorry having a tyre changed.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe disruption: M4 London westbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London westbound severe disruption, at J4 for Heathrow.

M4 London - One lane closed and it's very slow on M4 westbound at J4, Heathrow, because of a car that's broken down. Congestion to J3 (Hayes/Heston).

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Emily Hartridge died in July 2019. Her boyfriend Jake Hazell says therapy has helped him.
Jake Hazell has turned to a course of rapid change therapy as he copes with the loss of his girlfriend.

Severe disruption: M4 London westbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London westbound severe disruption, at J2 for A4 Great West Road.

M4 London - One lane closed and queues on M4 outbound at J2, A4 (Brentford), because of a car that's broken down. Congestion to A4 Hogarth Roundabout.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Hospital staff given bodycams

Rebecca Curley

Local Democracy Reporter

Bodycam on nurse's uniform
ASP Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Bodycams have been given to hospital staff to make them feel more safe around potentially violent and aggressive patients.

Security staff, casualty nurses and medical teams at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals are trialling them in an attempt to deter confrontations and boost confidence among the workers.

The cameras attached to their clothing are not running the whole time but can be triggered by a button if the staff member feels the need to.

They have to tell the patient or visitor that the camera is about to be turned on.

A mirror image of what is being recorded can be seen by the other person as it is happening.

St Peter's Hospital
ASP Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Steven Hill, non-clinical risk manager for ASP Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the idea came after staff highlighted in a survey about their working environment that dealing with an aggressive or violent incident at work was a concern.

He said there are on average about 23 to 25 incidents of violence and aggression – both physical and verbal – towards staff reported every month across the trust.

Workers in security, the Intensive Care Unit, Patient Advice and Liaison Service and Accident and Emergency across the two hospital sites have been issued 24 cameras between them.

The cameras are about the size of a small matchbox.

In the three months since the trial started there have been 24 pieces of footage recorded.

Severe congestion: A13 Essex eastbound

BBC News Travel

A13 Essex eastbound severe congestion, at A128 Brentwood Road.

A13 Essex - An obstruction and it's very slow on A13 eastbound in Orsett at Orsett Cock.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Met ranks to rise to 33,000 by 2021 - Cressida Dick

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Dame Cressida Dick
Reuters

There will be 33,000 police officers in London by April next year, the head of the Met has said today.

Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force would reach 31,500 by spring, and 32,300 by early autumn this year.

Officer numbers in the capital began falling in 2016, and dipped below 30,000 two years ago – the first time since 2003.

Recruitment has since risen with cash from City Hall, with 31,000 officers now in place.

But the Mayor of London and the Met believe the capital needs an extra 6,000 police to tackle high violent crime.

There were more homicides in London last year than any year since 2008, and over 15,000 knife crimes.

Dame Cressida told the London Assembly’s Police and Crime Committee today that the Government’s police settlement would help the Met to reach next year’s 33,000 target.

The Commissioner said it was a “huge achievement” that between 350 and 450 officers were going through training at Hendon police college each month.

Severe disruption: M4 London eastbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London eastbound severe disruption, at J4 for Heathrow.

M4 London - M4 lane closed on exit slip road and it's slow eastbound at J4, Heathrow, because of a lorry that's broken down.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe disruption: M25 Essex clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Essex clockwise severe disruption, from J27 for M11 J6 to J28 for A12 Brentwood.

M25 Essex - One lane closed and it's slow on M25 clockwise from J27 M11 J6 to J28, A12 (Brentwood), because of a lorry having a tyre changed.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

TfL Youth Panel open for applications

People aged between 16 and 25 can now apply to be part of Transport for London's Youth Panel, which helps shape the Mayor's transport strategy and road safety campaigns.

Applications for the volunteer posts are open until 29 February.

View more on twitter

Severe disruption: M25 Kent clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Kent clockwise severe disruption, at J1A for A206 Bob Dunn Way.

M25 Kent - M25 lane closed on entry slip road clockwise at J1a, A206 (Swanscombe), because of a break down. Traffic is coping well.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe accident: M25 Surrey anti-clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Surrey anti-clockwise severe accident, between Cobham Services and J9 for A243.

M25 Surrey - Two lanes closed and queues on M25 anticlockwise between Cobham Services and J9, A243 (Leatherhead), because of an accident.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Severe disruption: M4 London eastbound

BBC News Travel

M4 London eastbound severe disruption, at J4 for Heathrow.

M4 London - One lane closed and it's slow on M4 eastbound at J4, Heathrow, because of a break down.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

Spend cemetery sale cash on trees, council urged

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Money raised by the sale of cemetery land should be spent on tree planting in Brent.

This is the view of Brent Council’s resources and public realm scrutiny committee, which recommended that the extra cash be used to improve the borough’s environment.

A report by the committee’s chairman, Cllr Matt Kelcher, noted the council recently made £700,000 from the sale of additional cemetery space.

It suggested that it be put to good use and, given that it was raised by the council’s environment department, should be “ring fenced for a project with an environmental theme”.

The report stated: “The council currently does not have the revenue budget to replace all diseased or dying trees it removes (outside of those removed as part of the footway improvement plan), or to plant all of the mature trees it would like to.

“The presence of mature trees on our streets can help to reduce levels of carbon in the atmosphere and significantly reduce stormwater run-off.”

It explained that there is a clear need to tackle Brent’s air quality, particularly in light of the council’s decision to declare a climate emergency last year.

Residents with learning difficulties die 'decades earlier'

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Waltham Forest residents with learning disabilities are dying decades earlier than average, often from preventable and treatable conditions.

Data from the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review Programme shows residents with learning disabilities in the borough have an average life expectancy of 57 for men and 55 for women.

This means, on average, men with learning disabilities are dying 22 years earlier and women are dying 29 years earlier than their non-disabled counterparts.

A report presented to the adult social care scrutiny committee read: “These deaths are not always due to complex co-morbidities but frequently to do with preventable and treatable conditions.”

Almost a third of deaths in people with a learning disability were due to respiratory conditions, while almost a fifth were caused by circulatory system diseases.

The NHS Long Term Plan aims to reduce these preventable deaths by improving the uptake of annual health checks.

Waltham Forest Council chose not to comment on life expectancy among people with learning disabilities, stating the meeting was intended to examine their life chances.

Severe accident: A212 London both ways

BBC News Travel

A212 London both ways severe accident, at A234 Crystal Palace Park Road.

A212 London - A212 Westwood Hill in Crystal Palace blocked and queues in both directions at the A234 Crystal Palace Park Road junction, because of an accident.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time

London's weather: Dry, bright and sunny

BBC Weather

View more on twitter

A chilly start with some fog patches. Clearing to be dry with bright or sunny spells that last into the afternoon. Some fog patches may be reluctant to clear in places, lifting into areas of cloud.

Maximum temperature: 6 to 9°C (43 to 48°F).

Severe disruption: M25 Essex anti-clockwise

BBC News Travel

M25 Essex anti-clockwise severe disruption, from J27 for M11 to J26 for A121.

M25 Essex - One lane closed and queues on M25 anticlockwise from J27 M11 to J26, A121 (Waltham Abbey), because of a break down.

To report traffic and travel incidents dial 0330 123 0184 at any time