Parts of Silvertonhill and Coatshill are no longer served after route changes and the withdrawal of an SPT service

Residents in parts of Hamilton and Blantyre are calling for the reinstatement of valued local bus routes after service changes left their neighbourhoods feeling “cut off”.

The SPT-funded 230 service was withdrawn four months ago after being considered to duplicate much of a newly-revised commercial route – meaning that a number of streets in Silvertonhill as well as the Coatshill loop in Blantyre are no longer on the route map.

Politicians from all parties are campaigning for stops in the areas to be reintroduced, with both Hamilton MP Imogen Walker and Clare Haughey MSP, whose constituency includes Blantyre, this week meeting bus operators to highlight residents’ needs.

First Bus replaced their former 229 in March with the new 211 which runs from Eddlewood and Silvertonhill to Hamilton town centre and on to Motherwell and Airdrie, “providing cross-Lanarkshire links”.

It was then deemed to replicate much of the 230 route supported by public transport body SPT – with the service being withdrawn and its then-operators informing passengers: “SPT have cancelled the contract for peak-only service 230 between Silvertonhill and Hamilton town centre. therefore this service will be withdrawn from March 29; please contact SPT for alternative travel options.”

The cancelled bus had served the Aitken Road and Fenwick Drive areas of Silvertonhill, meaning residents now have to walk up to half a mile to reach a suitable bus stop on Silvertonhill Avenue; as well as Coatshill in Blantyre, which is not part of the new 211 route ending in Eddlewood.

Residents in Coatshill now have “no direct bus service” with the loop serving streets including Carlowrie Avenue, Morven Avenue, Farm Road and Station Road not being part of the new service and passengers from areas including Buller Crescent, Tarbet Avenue and Monteith Place now facing 15-minute walks to their nearest stop.

Constituency MSP Ms Haughey has raised the issue with both SPT and First Bus, including meeting the commercial operator this week to ask about reinstating provision such as by extending or rerouting the 211 to cover the area.

She noted the company’s reversal last summer of plans to withdraw the 65 service in Cambuslang and Rutherglen following appeals from the community; and First Bus have responded by saying they will “assess whether it would be viable”.

Ms Haughey told the Hamilton Advertiser: “Residents in Coatshill made it very clear just how vital a link [the fomer 230] was, particularly to older, disabled or vulnerable people in the community.

“Given First Bus’ willingness to partially reverse their cut to the 65 service after a significant number of people outlined to me how it would affect them, I was keen to work with them to look for a solution in Blantyre.

“At a recent meeting with First, I asked if they would be able to introduce a new service or amend existing ones to take in the Coatshill loop. Although they are unsure if their buses will be able to drive safely along the old 230 route, I’m pleased they’ve committed to investigating this.”

She added: “As it stands, there’s a significant part of Blantyre – Coatshill, Priory Bridge, and the Village – that no longer have direct access to a bus. I will continue to press this issue with SPT, and urge them to take action to support these areas.”

Ms Walker also met First Bus representatives at their Blantyre depot this week “to discuss whether the new 211 service could be amended to serve Aitken Road and Fenwick Drive, ensuring the route better reflects the needs and travel patterns of the community”.

The Hamilton & Clyde Valley MP said of the affected Silvertonhill neighbourhood: “This section of the route was relied upon by many local residents, particularly older people – [they] now have to walk to Silvertonhill Avenue to access a bus service, which can be extremely difficult or impossible for those with limited mobility.

“There is a real risk of increased social isolation with some residents finding it harder to access shops, healthcare and maintain social connections.”

Ms Walker asked that some of the route changes “be looked at again with another stop opened up to make journeys easier”, and told constituents: “First Bus has agreed to walk the new 211 route with me to go through the impact of the changes and explore whether amendments can be made to better meet the needs of the wider community.

“We’ll meet again to discuss the route later in the year when they have been able to review the situation. Public transport is vital across our towns and villages, and services must reflect the needs and travel patterns of the communities they serve. I’m grateful to First Bus for being open to this discussion.”

Councillors in both areas have also shared residents’ concerns about the changed services, including Blantyre representatives Mo Razzaq and Maureen Chalmers, and Hamilton South councillor Gavin Keatt.

A spokesperson for First Bus told the Advertiser: “During the discussion in our recent meetings with Imogen Walker MP and Clare Haughey MSP, we confirmed we are considering their requests, and currently assessing whether it would be viable to provide a service for the Coatshill area of Blantyre.

“We have explained that the previous service covering Coatshill was subsidised by SPT and was not operated by First Bus on a commercial basis.

“We regularly review our network and are always open to opportunities to improve services for local communities where it’s feasible to do so.”

An SPT spokesperson said: “In the current deregulated market, changes to bus services and competition are for commercial operators to decide. When commercial changes are implemented, SPT routinely reviews the remaining supported bus provision and must make adjustments where necessary in line with our frameworks and available budget.

“While we note that the revised bus provision may not be as convenient for some communities, both Silvertonhill and Coatshill continue to have access to bus provision within a reasonable walking distance.

“SPT views on the current market and the future are clearly set out in the Strathclyde regional bus strategy. SPT is currently taking forward a franchising assessment under the 2019 Transport (Scotland) Act.”

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Known to fans as “The Dogfather”, Graeme is a revered canine expert who has been offering his tips for dog owners on both TV and in print for years.

Announcing his latest unexpected venture on Wednesday morning, he admitted he “can’t believe” that he’s landed a spot on the next Strictly line-up.

“I have always loved dancing, so to have the opportunity to learn from the best in the business is a dream come true,” he enthused. “I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking! I can’t wait to get started.”

“Bring it on!” he added.

Graeme is the eleventh name confirmed for the upcoming run of Strictly Come Dancing, the line-up for which already boasts an eclectic mix of stars from the world of music, sport, TV and beyond.

By AIDAN RADNEDGE, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 14:30 BST, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 15:46 BST, 5 August 2026

Four men have been rushed to a major trauma centre after stabbings near Covent Garden in central London.

A woman, 47, has been arrested following the incident this afternoon, the Metropolitan Police said – while four men were being treated for injuries.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene in Endell Street at around 12.30pm.

A police cordon was put in place and an air ambulance helicopter was seen landing in nearby Trafalgar Square. 

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The injured men are aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, according to Scotland Yard, who said a pair of scissors was seized from the scene.

The arrested woman is being held on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assault.

Reports have suggested that the stabbings were carried out using scissors, while police said they believed it to be a ‘mental health related incident’. 

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Police officers arrested a woman after four people were stabbed in central London

A man wearing a blood-soaked shirt was seen alerting police officers to his injuries

Police and paramedics were called to Endell Street in central London after four men were stabbed on Wednesday afternoon

An air ambulance helicopter was seen landing in Trafalgar Square after nearby stabbings today

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Four men were taken to a major trauma centre following stabbings near Covent Garden in London’s West End, the LAS said. Paramedics are seen in nearby Trafalgar Square

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The radio station LBC reported a witness at Endell Street’s Craft Beer Co bar as saying a woman approached people outside the Shaftesbury Theatre showing the musical Avenue Q.

Two men were reportedly stabbed in the back there, ‘with scissors’, before others were attacked further along Endell Street.

A London Ambulance Service Spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 12:29pm today (5 August) to reports of a stabbing on Endell Street, WC2H.

‘We sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car and an incident response officer.

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‘We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance.

‘We treated four patients at the scene and took them all to a major trauma centre as a priority by road.’

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said that the four men were found with stab wounds after officers were called at about 12.27pm.

They said: ‘They have since been taken to hospital and we await an update on their injuries.

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A police cordon was put in place after four men suffered stab wounds near Covent Garden

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said four men aged 34, 39, 42 and 52 were found with stab wounds after officers were called at about 12.27pm – officers remained on the scene

‘A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault. She was taken to custody where she remains.

‘Police remain in the area, with a scene in place on Endell Street and the surrounding areas in Covent Garden.

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‘Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD3449/05AUG.’

The force added that this was believed to be ‘a mental health related incident’ and that officers had seized a pair of scissors at the scene. 

A large police cordon was put up from High Holborn to the St Mungo’s homeless centre in Endell Street, where officers were speaking to people before they entered the building.

Restaurants near the cordon towards Long Acre continued business.

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Matt Bishop, 42, who works at a consultancy firm next to the cordon, said he had seen a woman having a ‘stand-off’ with three police officers and waving a weapon around.

He added that he did not see the stabbing but saw the woman running towards the crossroads and said she seemed ‘pretty incoherent’.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information about the incident at a Network Rail site in Nether Poppleton at about 10.20pm on Monday (August 3).

The force said four people broke into the site by cutting through fencing and damage “several drums of high value cable”.

A police spokesperson said the alleged suspects were seen fleeing the area on foot towards the Arnold Clark dealership.

They said officers were called and tracked the reported suspects through a field between Hudson Way and the Arnold Clark car park, where three of the four men were seen climbing a fence into the dealership grounds.

“The suspects were then seen attempting to conceal themselves near an electrical and gas box at the front of the depot before making off towards Great North Way and Hudson Way,” the police spokesperson said.

“Significant damage” was caused to three large spools of cable during the break-in, the police spokesperson said.

They said the cable had been cut and placed on the ground, “apparently ready to be removed from the site”.

Police said four men, aged between 36 and 46, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and taken into custody.

Charli Hillman was adjudged to have recorded a member of the public take part in “intimate behaviour”- without their consent- within the confines of the pub’s outdoor area.

A social care worker has been suspended until October after being convicted of an act of voyeurism at an Ayrshire pub.

Charli Hillman was adjudged to have recorded a member of the public take part in “intimate behaviour”- without their consent- within the confines of the pub’s outdoor area.

It was also said that Hillman posted the recording to social media, contrary to section 9 (1), (2) and (4) of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

The offence took place on 23 March 2025 and Hillman was convicted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in February this year. Hillman’s town of employment is Ayr.

Now the industry regulator, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), has taken the decision to suspend Hillman from her social care duties until later in the year and imposed conditions attached to her registration.

In their decision notice they said Hillman’s current fitness to practise is “impaired” due to the conviction.

The SSSC said to Hillman: “Social service workers must not behave, while in or outside work, in a way that would bring their suitability to work in social services into question. You (Hillman) have been convicted of an offence whereby you recorded another person and shared this footage online.

“Although it did not occur within your employment, this behaviour raises concerns about your character and underlying values. Your actions contribute to societal issues surrounding image-based violence and placed members of the public at risk of emotional and reputational harm.”

The SSSC continued: “The circumstances of your offence were that you were in the outdoor area of a public house and recorded a short video of two individuals publicly engaging in intimate behaviour and shared this on a private social media story. Your criminal justice social worker has described the offence as being situational and opportunistic, influenced significantly by alcohol and impaired judgment, with no evidence of planning, sexual motivation or any underlying pattern of offending. This makes the seriousness of the behaviour significantly lower than if it had been sexually motivated.”

Hillman, it was revealed, expressed “regret,” “accepted responsibility” for her actions and “co-operated fully” with the SSSC investigation.

However, the SSSC accused Hillman of a “distinct lack of insight or reflection” within their response to the regulatory body.

The SSSC said: “You (Hillman) have failed to acknowledge the harm caused to the victim and the long-term implications of your actions on her. Your response also fails to acknowledge the impact of your behaviour on public confidence in the social services profession.”

There were a number of “positive references” produced on Hillman’s behalf, the SSSC revealed, and they spoke “highly” of her professionalism and competency within the social services sector.

Hillman had not previously come to the attention of the SSSC and enjoyed a “positive history” in the social services sector, the report states.

However, the SSSC said: “The nature of your conviction raises serious concerns about your underlying values which suggest a risk of repetition. The SSSC has a duty to protect the public and uphold proper standards of conduct and behaviour for social care workers.

“As a result of your conviction, you have been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for a period of six months. Members of the public would have concerns about such a person being employed in a trusted and caring profession.

“Your conviction would undoubtedly damage the reputation of the profession, and a finding of impairment is necessary to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the Register and in the SSSC as a regulator.”

Hillman was suspended until October 25 with conditions applied to her continued registration.

One of those conditions includes a written “reflective account” to the SSSC’s Fitness to Practise Department, showing Hillman understands the “seriousness” and impact of their behaviour and the standards expected of them as a registered worker.

Table fans sold by B&Q have been urgently recalled in the UK over a risk of electric shock and fire.

The DIY retailer issued the product recall notice after a fault was detected within a batch of white electric B&Q table fans sold throughout the record-breaking heatwave in spring and summer.

There is a risk of electric shock and fire as some parts could overheat.

This is due to a fault within the oscillation mechanism that can damage internal wiring, the Office for Product Safety and Standards said.

The fans were manufactured in China by Kingfisher International Products Limited.

Commenting on the hazard, the UK safety watchdog said: ‘The product presents a risk of electric shock and fire as there is a fault within the oscillation mechanism that can damage internal wiring.

‘The product does not meet the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016.’

It did not reveal how many of the faulty fans were sold.

Which fans are recalled?

It said the faulty portable fans were sold by B&Q between March 2026 and July.

Customers who may have bought the 23cm (nine-inch) fan can check if the model is FT23A with barcode 5063022605689 and batch numbers 25W50, 26W05, 26W11.

Anyone who bought the fan should stop using it immediately and return it to the nearest B&Q store.

A notice on the B&Q website says: ‘A potential safety issue has been identified in relation to the below product. In some cases an electrical component may overheat leading to a fire or electric shock risk.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: British mum dies in Spanish wildfires and partner fights for life in hospital

MORE: London bus drivers are going on strike over ‘completely unacceptable’ heatwave conditions

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The former Coronation Street star, who earlier this year appeared on stage at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre, said she travelled to Glasgow in a bid to obtain an emergency passport for her daughter Matilda before the family’s planned trip to Italy.

Sharing the experience with followers on Instagram, the 35-year-old said she had hoped to secure a passport through the Fast Track service, but was ultimately unable to do so before their departure date.

In an Instagram story captioned: “My little girl cried on my shoulder, she was so looking forward to our trip,” Flanagan discussed her pre-holiday nightmare surrounding her daughter Matilda’s passport.

Helen Flanagan and daughter Matilda (Image: HelenFlanagan/Instagram)

“I went down to Scotland to try and get Matilda an emergency passport because I fly to Lake Como on Thursday. But we’ve not been able to get one, have we, baby?” Flanagan said to Matilda.

Helen added: “I just thought I’d try because, though it says a week, I just thought, ‘you never know’. But mummy tried her best, didn’t she? Mummy tried. Love you.”

The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! contestant appeared to make the best of the situation as she later shared snaps of the rest of her Glasgow trip, including her gifted hotel stay, courtesy of AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow. 

Helen Flanagan reveals daughter’s passport heartbreak before Italy trip (Image: HelenFlanagan/Instagram)

The ex-fiancée of former Celtic footballer Scott Sinclair and mother of three shared on Instagram that she had only brought two of her children, Matilda, 11, and Charlie, 5, on the trip, leaving Delilah, 8, at home with her parents.

She said: “Honestly, I get really overstimulated with all three of my own. Delilah and Charlie are really like best friends, but they also kill each other, especially when I’m driving.”

Helen added: “I just didn’t feel like eight hours of driving was a great idea and I didn’t need to bring Delilah because her passport was in date.”

Earlier this year, Flanagan returned to the stage in The Memory of Water at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, marking another step in her acting career alongside her television appearances and social media work.

While the family’s planned Lake Como getaway will now have to wait, Flanagan’s posts showed she was focused on comforting Matilda after the disappointing news, captioning one selfie with her eldest: “My 11-year-old is my best friend and always has been.”

A US military GPS-jamming exercise has been linked to a medevac plane crash that killed four people in the mountains of New Mexico.

The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air was flying from Roswell to Ruidoso in early May to collect a patient when its pilots suddenly lost access to their modern navigation systems.

It was a clear, nearly moonless night, leaving the crew with few visual references as they flew over the dark and sparsely populated landscape.

But about 100 miles away, military personnel were testing technology designed to disrupt GPS signals during an electronic warfare event at White Sands Missile Range, according to records from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The disruption forced the two pilots to rely on older navigation methods as air traffic controllers scrambled to assist several aircraft reporting similar problems.

The pilots eventually abandoned their instrument approach and attempted to fly visually toward the lights of Ruidoso’s airport, unaware that the 10,000-foot Capitan Mountains stood directly in their path.

All four people aboard were killed when the aircraft slammed into the rising mountainside at full speed, WIRED reported.

The disaster marked the first fatal civilian plane crash in the US known to be linked to electronic warfare and has raised urgent concerns about military technology interfering with civilian aviation.

The twin-engine Beechcraft King Air was flying from Roswell to Ruidoso in early May to collect a patient when its pilots suddenly lost access to their modern navigation systems. Pictured is the plane’s flight path 

The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report described the GPS problems encountered by the pilots, but investigators will not determine the crash’s cause until the final report is completed next year.

The crew was dispatched at 11pm on May 13 to collect a patient in Ruidoso and transport them to Albuquerque.

Captain Keelan Clark, 30, and First Officer Ali Kawsara, 23, were joined by nurses Sarah Clark, 33, and Jamie Novick, 33.

Clark had received his commercial pilot’s license about 18 months earlier and was promoted to captain the previous month, while Kawsara had been on the job for two months after previously flying cargo planes.

The aircraft left Roswell at 11:52pm and headed west under clear but nearly moonless skies, WIRED reported.

That night, the Air Force’s 746th Test Squadron was testing GPS-jamming technology during its NAVFEST electronic warfare event at White Sands Missile Range.

The FAA had warned pilots that the exercises could disrupt GPS signals up to 400 miles away between May 12 and 18.

Eight minutes after takeoff, the pilots reported losing GPS and asked air traffic control for directions.

Pictured are Captain Keelan Clark, 30, and First Officer Ali Kawsara (right), 23, who died in the crash

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The controller gave them headings toward the airport as they attempted to switch from a GPS-dependent RNAV approach to its ground-based instrument landing system.

However, three other aircraft were also reporting GPS problems and required assistance.

By 12:08am, the King Air had flown about 10 miles beyond the landing pattern.

Nurses Sarah Clark, 33, and Jamie Novick, 33, (right), also perished 

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The pilots then spotted the lights of Ruidoso’s airport 31 miles away and received permission to approach visually, unaware that the darkness concealed the 10,000-foot Capitan Mountains ahead.

As the plane descended, the mountains blocked the valley lights, potentially causing ‘confusion and a loss of situational awareness,’ pilot Juan Browne said.

‘When those lights go out, man, you know you are in big trouble,’ he added.

The pilots briefly climbed, but the plane struck the mountainside at full speed, killing everyone aboard.

A memorial service was held for the four passengers in June 

Experts stressed that GPS disruption alone should not cause an aircraft to crash because pilots can rely on ground-based or visual navigation.

‘The loss of GPS should not result in the loss of an airplane, so there’s got to be more to it than that,’ said retired airline pilot John Cox, CEO of Safety Operating Systems.

However, aviation safety expert Steve Arroyo said GPS is particularly important in mountainous terrain, where pilots have little room for error.

‘GPS can bring you in precisely with a margin of safety that’s required and bring you down for landing. But if you don’t have GPS, you can’t make that approach within those margins and you may drift outside using conventional navigation,’ said Arroyo, a longtime United Airlines pilot.

The crash has raised concerns about military GPS interference affecting civilian aircraft as the technology is increasingly used to combat enemy drones.

The Daily Mail has contacted the FAA and Department of War for comment.

He added: “Since NX121’s unanimous acquittal by an Old Bailey jury, and in the absence of any evidence that he failed in his duties, we have been clear and consistent in our view that he should not face a misconduct hearing.”

The commissioner said the decision “must be a milestone moment” to reset the police accountability system.

“No police officer is above the law, but we have been clear the system holding police to account is broken,” he said.

“Your life being on hold for four years or more as you go through multiple accountability processes is a disgraceful way to treat brave men and women. I also see the profound effect these cases routinely have on officers’ families.

“Criminals are held to account once by the courts – officers can be held to account four times through criminal, misconduct, civil and inquest processes that span years. That cannot be right.”

Amanda Rowe, IOPC director of engagement, said they had “always sought to avoid any unnecessary delays” in Blake’s case, but said it was right proceedings were paused until the impact of new legislation was understood.

“Having considered both our policy and the representations from the Kaba family and Sgt Blake, we have today notified them of our decision to withdraw disciplinary proceedings,” she said.

A coroner will now decide whether an inquest will take place into Kaba’s death.

The IOPC’s decision was criticised by the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign and the charity Inquest, with both groups calling it a “blow” to Kaba’s family.

Temi Mwale, from the Justice for Chris Kaba Campaign, said decision sent a “dangerous message”, and Deborah Coles, from Inquest, said it signified that “police can act with impunity”.

Paula Dodds, chairwoman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said the IOPC had made “the right decision”.

“Police officers are of course – and rightly – highly accountable for their actions. But the officer has sadly suffered years of legal scrutiny following this incident,” she said.

“We are pleased this has all now concluded and that the officer can continue to serve the public without this hanging over him.”

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A 47-year-old woman has been arrested after four men were stabbed in Covent Garden in central London, the Metropolitan Police said.

The men, aged 34, 39, 42 and 52, were taken to hospital after emergency services were called to reports of a stabbing in Endell Street at about 12:30 BST.

In a statement, London Ambulance Service said: “We treated four patients at the scene and took them all to a major trauma centre as a priority by road.”

The woman has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.

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