The broadcaster often moves its soap line-up to make room for football coverage, and Wednesday, August 12 will be no exception.

Here is the schedule soap fans need to know about for the week ahead.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street fans can’t watch new episode on Wednesday

On Wednesday, ITV will air the Manchester United v Leeds United pre-season friendly from 7pm, with the kick-off at 7.30pm.

Coverage of the game will run until 10pm on ITV1, meaning the usual Emmerdale and Coronation Street slots are replaced by it.

While both soaps will run as usual otherwise this week, there is no Sunday (August 16) episode scheduled at the time of writing.

This means, as things stand, soap fans will be down a 30-minute episode of each show compared to their usual schedules of five episodes per week, but this could change.

Emma Matthews to return to Corrie for third stint on ITV soap

Coronation Street is set to bring back an actress for the third time on the ITV soap, but in a new role, according to reports.

Bolton-born actress Emma Matthews will be making a return to the cobbles, nearly a decade after her last appearance on the long-running programme.

Matthews previously played social worker Fiona Crowley, who featured in two episodes in 2017 and was responsible for taking Abi Webster’s twins into care following a relapse.

Prior to that, she appeared as a nurse at Weatherfield General Hospital in episodes aired between 2012 and 2015.

While details of her new role remain under wraps, Matthews is expected to appear on-screen later in the year, according to The Sun.

This return comes as she balances her acting career with academic pursuits, as she is studying a master’s qualification in theatre directing.

She directed a production of Beautiful Thing as part of her final coursework.

How many of these emotional Coronation Street storylines do you remember?

In addition to her work on Coronation Street, Ms Matthews currently stars in the West End production of Billionaire Boy at the Garrick Theatre and has directed theatre in Manchester.

She has also appeared in a wide range of TV shows, including Emmerdale, Casualty, Call The Midwife, The Bay, Prisoners’ Wives, and Until I Kill You.

Newsquest has contacted ITV for comment.

Which actor would you like to see return to Emmerdale or Coronation Street? Tell us in the comments below.

Police told drivers to leave their cars ‘if you want to stay alive’ as a van fire sparked a heathland wildfire by a dual carriageway in the New Forest yesterday.

Traffic came to a halt and drivers were ordered to the side of the road after flames from the van ignited ‘tinderbox bracken’ by the westbound A31 in Hampshire.

A policewoman told motorists in the area near Ringwood to get out of their cars and move to the central reservation next to the road ‘if you want to stay alive’.

A firefighter was later overheard telling a police officer: ‘We want all the cars and people off the carriageway. Unattended cars are basically bombs when they go off.’

The van driver is thought to have escaped. A fire officer said: ‘We believe it was a van that caught fire on the road and that set alight to the shrubs at the side of the road.’

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed today that crews will be at the scene for the ‘foreseeable future’, with more than 20 fire engines tackling the blaze.

The fire service received more than 160 emergency calls reporting a vehicle on fire on the A31 at about 5.24pm yesterday. 

Some 26 fire engines, four water carriers, six off-road vehicles and several command vehicles were at the site.

A policewoman was filmed directing drivers to the central reservation after a van fire spread to the vegetation by the westbound carriageway near the New Forest

A fire officer said the fire was out of control

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The fire service said the fire spread from the vehicle to the central reservation before progressing into nearby heathland.

A spokesman said: ‘Firefighters continue to tackle the fire affecting heathland near the A31 and will remain on site for the foreseeable future. We continue to have a significant presence in the area as crews work to bring the fire under control.’

The fire service warned people living nearby that it may need to lay hoses across their property as it draws water from a nearby lake.

‘Fires in the countryside can be particularly challenging for firefighters, especially when it comes to getting sufficient water to the incident,’ it said.

It added: ‘At present, there is no need for any properties to be evacuated. Should this situation change, affected households will be contacted directly.’

Motorists have been urged to avoid the area and use alternative routes whenever possible.

A local resident said the fire was understood to have started in a lorry close to Picket Post services on the A31.

Sue Bassett, a worker at a Shell garage at the services, said the road and petrol station had been shut but the fire had moved away from the carriageway.

She said: ‘The smoke is visible from here, you can see smoke from miles around, it’s still going strong in the forest but not leaping on to the road.

‘There are lots of firefighters, they are pumping water up from the lakes, they are having to run out pipes over the carriageway so they can’t open up the road.’

She added: ‘It’s almost scary with the rivers running low on water, it’s a challenge.’

Hundreds of drivers remained stuck by the spreading fire while crews worked out how to evacuate them from the area.

Motorists told how flames spread across both sides of the dual carriageway about a mile from the Canadian War Memorial just north-east of Shobley.

One driver said: ‘It happened so fast. Some drivers just went straight through the flames. Others did emergency stops, turned around and tried to get back along the carriageway. It was sheer panic.’

Libbi Aldred, 36, said she had been driving on the dual carriageway when around 10 cars in front of her began slowing down and putting their hazards on.

Smoke billowed from the trees next to the road as motorists abandoned their cars

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Hundreds of drivers lined the dual carriageway as police worked out how to evacuate them

The fire spread across the ‘tinderbox bracken’ next to the road after a 30C day in Hampshire

She said there was a fire ‘in the middle’ of the road and there was ‘smoke’ and ‘billowing’ flames.

Ms Aldred, a dog trainer from Hightown, Hampshire, said another driver – a grandfather who had his grandchildren with him – saw two cars in front of him go through the blaze but that ‘the flames were hitting’ their cars.

He and other drivers turned around and began to head for the previous exit but Ms Aldred said police told them to stay in their cars.

‘We didn’t take that advice,’ she said, because ‘the flames started coming towards us’. 

As the fire spread, police arrived and ordered drivers out of their cars before fire engines were filmed racing towards the blaze.

Ms Aldred said the fire spread quickly and the wind carried it into the vegetation next to the road.

Temperatures in Hampshire rose above 30C as motorists gathered in the shade next to the road.

Some were filmed kicking a football on the road as the police were unable to say when they would be able to leave.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident yesterday as two large fires in woodland put a strain on resources.

Several wildfires have broken out in the UK over recent weeks, including large blazes at Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight, Llanwonno in the Rhondda Valleys, South Wales, and the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland.

According to the Fire Severity Index, any wildfires were likely to be exceptionally severe yesterday in almost all of the east and south-east of England. ‘Exceptional’ severity is the highest ranking.

The Met Office data includes rainfall, temperature and humidity, and agencies use the index to assess the severity of fire if it starts. It does not cover the chances of wildfires occurring.

Heatwave conditions will likely return later this week, with a high of 36C expected in parts of East Anglia and south-east England by Thursday, according to the Met Office.

So far the extreme weather of summer 2026 has included two record-breaking heatwaves in May and June that led to more than 2,800 excess deaths.

Two more heatwaves in July, the driest July in England and Wales since records began in 1836, have fuelled drought and wildfires. A fifth heatwave was confirmed last week.

Its history has been brought to light after 11 skeletons were discovered

For years, thousands of people have used a busy roundabout in a Cambridgeshire city without being aware of what lies hidden below. Now, its history has been brought to light as more than 10 skeletons have been discovered during digging as part of the City Link project in Peterborough.

Police were called following an initial discovery of one human skeleton within the Queensgate roundabout. The force were asked to establish whether it was a crime scene, which has now been confirmed not to be.

A total of 11 skeletons have been discovered so far within the roundabout. These remains are part of a cemetery which existed on the site in the Victorian era.

Records indicate that remains from this cemetery were cleared when subways were built at the roundabout during the 1970s. According to Discover Peterborough, the city’s main cemetery near the cathedral had become full by the early 1800s.

The churchwardens of St John the Baptist, the parish church that still stands in Cathedral Square, bought three acres of farmland at the western end of Cowgate for a new burial ground.

The first person buried there was Elizabeth Mone, in March 1805, according to Discover Peterborough. For the next 50 years, the walled and gated ground was where the city buried its dead.

In 1828, Peterborough’s first case of body snatching was recorded but it was not the last. The years from 1827 to 1830 were reportedly the peak of the trade in stolen corpses. A body snatcher is a person who stole the bodies of dead people and sold them.

By 1858, the site was declared full. A new cemetery opened between Eastfield Road and Broadway, and Broadway Cemetery has served the city ever since.

The skeletons, which were confirmed by Peterborough City Council to have been discovered within the Queensgate roundabout, will be reburied in Church of England burial grounds elsewhere in the city.

The City Link scheme aims to deliver a more direct route for pedestrians and cyclists from Peterborough Railway Station to the city centre (via Cowgate). The scheme will remove two of the three subways that run underneath the Queensgate roundabout, creating direct access to the city centre from Cowgate from the railway station.

Savills has established its Newcastle office as a core regional hub for its northern new homes operations, joining its existing bases in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

The move reinforces the firm’s commitment to the North East and brings dedicated sales, marketing and consultancy services to the region.

Jamie Adam, head of new homes for Savills in the North, said: “The North East represents a hugely exciting growth market, with increasing levels of investment, regeneration and demand for high-quality new homes across the region.

“Our latest research shows the North continuing to outperform many southern markets in terms of developer confidence and housing market activity, supported by strong fundamentals and relative affordability.”

The expansion follows the launch of six new developments in partnership with North East housebuilder Cussins (North East) Ltd.

These schemes include Riverside in South Shields, Debdon Falls in Rothbury, Burgham Park Gardens near Morpeth, Sycamore Place in Barrasford, Summerson Place in Darlington and Eccleston Park in Backworth.

The Cussins developments reflect the region’s diverse market, spanning rural Northumberland to suburban family communities.

Julia Burnett, sales director at Cussins (North East) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Savills on these six exceptional developments across the North East.

“Our brands align seamlessly in our shared commitment to quality, prestige and client care.

“Cussins has built its reputation on delivering high-end homes in the region’s most desirable locations, and it is clear that these developments are strongly appealing to discerning buyers.”

Sycamore Place in Barrasford has seen particular momentum, with a recently opened show home helping the development reach 50 per cent sold.

Comprising 12 five-bedroom sandstone houses, the scheme highlights sustained demand for premium family homes in rural areas of the North East.

Savills market research indicates that developer sentiment remains particularly strong across the North of England, with healthy competition for development land and optimism underpinned by relative affordability.

The consultancy has operated in Newcastle since 2018 and offers a multidisciplinary service covering development, planning, property management and more.

Mr Adam said: “By combining dedicated new homes expertise with the extensive capabilities already available through our Newcastle office, we can offer clients a fully integrated service from land acquisition and planning through to sales, marketing and successful delivery.”

He noted that Savills’ planning team in Newcastle secured planning permission on appeal for Cussins schemes.

These include Burgham Park Gardens and Eccleston Park, demonstrating the firm’s ability to support clients through the full development lifecycle.

A series of explosions have rocked Nizhnekamsk in Tartarstan with the city’s mayor Radmir Belyaev claiming the attack involved ‘industrial and civilian’ targets

A huge Ukrainian drone attack on a Russian city 1,000 miles from Kyiv has reportedly left 12 dead and 39 injured.

A massive oil refinery, owned by oil company Tatneft, is among the sites hit in Nizhnekamsk with smoke seen rising from the explosion for miles around.

Russia has also carried out its own deadly attack on Ukraine in recent hours, after suffering significant losses in Tatarstan. Five people were killed and homes were destroyed by Russian shelling in the village of Buhaivka, in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region.

This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads – or visit The Mirror homepage.

Yesterday evening (Sunday, August 9), crews in Acomb were called to Fieldside Place, off Lawrence Street, and Clifton Backies in Water Lane.

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A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said around 6.40pm, firefighters went to the scene of a small fire in Fieldside Place “consisting of paper and wood” and used a knapsack sprayer to put the fire out.

Then, at 8.51pm Acomb crews were mobilised to a report of a fire in the open in Clifton Backies.

The spokesperson said: “After inspection crews confirmed this was two separate areas of fire both measuring approximately five square metres.

“Crews extinguished using knapsack sprayers and beaters.”

The cause of each fire is thought to have been deliberate, the service spokesperson said.

People can ‘expect delays’ on some key routes

Drivers should watch out for the following roads as road works continue across Greater Manchester. People can ‘expect delays’ on some key routes.

Road works can be carried out for a number of reasons including changes being made to a road, emergency repairs, as well as work by utility companies. However a 2025 parliamentary transport committee report said: “They can also be a source of frustration for anyone trying to get around on roads and pavements by causing congestion and delays that harm the economy, disrupt transport services and limit access to high streets and businesses.”

Drivers should be aware of the disruptions and full information about what road works are taking place across Greater Manchester can be found on Transport for Greater Manchester’s website.

BURY:

A roads:

A667 RINGLEY ROAD – WHITEFIELD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A667 Ringley Road in both directions at The Spinney until 0:00 on 12th August.

A676 BOLTON ROAD – HAWKSHAW – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A676 Bolton Road in both directions at Stanmere Court until 0:00 on 17th August.

BOLTON:

A roads:

A579 BURY ROAD – BOLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on A579 Bury Road in both directions between A58 Bury Road and B6208 Ainsworth Lane until 0:00 on 30th August.

MANCHESTER:

A roads:

A6010 ALAN TURING WAY – MANCHESTER – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A6010 Alan Turing Way Northbound closed due to emergency repairs and roadworks from A635 Ashton Old Road to Wilson Street until 0:00 on 11th September.

B roads:

B5093 WILMSLOW ROAD – FALLOWFIELD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5093 Wilmslow Road in both directions from A6010 Wilmslow Road to Sherwood Street until 17:00 on 25th January 2027.

B5217 MANCHESTER ROAD – CHORLTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to electricity work on B5217 Manchester Road in both directions between Claridge Road and Kensington Road until 0:00 on 14th August.

OLDHAM:

A roads:

A62 OLDHAM WAY – OLDHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A62 Oldham Way in both directions closed due to roadworks at Manchester Street (Manchester Street roundabout) until 25th September.

There is a diversion down to the roundabout and straight back on again.

A671 ROCHDALE ROAD – ROYTON – NORTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A671 Rochdale Road Northbound closed due to roadworks from B6195 Middleton Road to Radcliffe Street until 29th January 2027.

A6052 DELPH NEW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A6052 Delph New Road in both directions at Gatehead Business Park until 0:00 on 12th August.

A6052 DENSHAW ROAD – DELPH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A6052 Denshaw Road in both directions between Pingle Lane and Slack Lane until 0:00 on 12th October.

B roads:

B6189 THOMPSON LANE – CHADDERTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B6189 Thompson Lane in both directions at Wem Street until 17:00 on 14th August.

B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions between Shepherd Street and A671 Rochdale Road until 29th January 2027.

B6195 MIDDLETON ROAD – ROYTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6195 Middleton Road in both directions at High Street until 29th January 2027.

ROCHDALE:

B roads:

B6225 HOLLINGWORTH ROAD – LITTLEBOROUGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B6225 Hollingworth Road in both directions from Inghams Lane (Littleborough) to Rakewood Road (Smithybridge) until 15:00 on 28th August.

SALFORD:

A roads:

A34 NEW BAILEY STREET – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Roadworks and contraflow on A34 New Bailey Street in both directions at Gore Street until 0:00 on 18th May 2027.

A576 CROMWELL ROAD – SALFORD – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A576 Cromwell Road in both directions at London Street until 17:00 on 4th September.

A5066 ORDSALL LANE – SALFORD QUAYS – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions at Taylorson Street South until 8th January 2027.

A5066 ORDSALL LANE – ORDSALL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A5066 Ordsall Lane in both directions between Guy Fawkes Street and Nine Acre Drive until 18:00 on 28th August.

B roads:

B5229 HALF EDGE LANE – ECCLES – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to telecoms work on B5229 Half Edge Lane in both directions at B5230 Albert Road until 0:00 on 9th August.

STOCKPORT:

A roads:

A523 MACCLESFIELD ROAD – HAZEL GROVE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A523 Macclesfield Road in both directions closed due to gas main work between A5143 Dean Lane and Melford Road until 30th August.

A627 GEORGE LANE – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A627 George Lane in both directions between A560 Stockport Road East and Oldham Drive until 17:00 on 28th August.

A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Roadworks and restrictions on A560 Hyde Road in both directions between A627 George Lane and Mill Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.

A560 HYDE ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Hyde Road in both directions at Poleacre Lane until 0:00 on 12th August.

A560 STOCKPORT ROAD – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A560 Stockport Road in both directions from Poleacre Lane (Woodley) to Elson Drive (Gee Cross) until 0:00 on 12th August.

A560 STOCKPORT ROAD EAST – WOODLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A560 Stockport Road East in both directions at A627 George Lane until 17:00 on 28th August.

TAMESIDE:

A roads:

A57 MOTTRAM MOOR – MOTTRAM – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

One lane closed due to long-term roadworks on A57 Mottram Moor Eastbound from Stalybridge Road to A6018 Back Moor. Expect delays until 31st December 2027.

TRAFFORD:

A roads:

A538 HALE ROAD – ALTRINCHAM – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A538 Hale Road in both directions at Bold Street until 0:00 on 10th August.

A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between School Lane and Maypole Close until 0:00 on 14th August.

A6144 MANCHESTER ROAD – CARRINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Manchester Road in both directions between Carrington Business Park and Common Lane until 0:00 on 17th August.

A6144 WARBURTON LANE – PARTINGTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A6144 Warburton Lane in both directions between Hankinson Close and Cross Lane West until 17:00 on 25th August.

B roads:

B5166 NORTHENDEN ROAD – SALE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5166 Northenden Road in both directions at Park House Drive until 0:00 on 11th August.

B5214 CROFTS BANK ROAD – URMSTON – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on B5214 Crofts Bank Road in both directions from Derby Road to Sumner Way until 0:00 on 16th August.

WIGAN:

A roads:

A58 GERARD STREET – ASHTON IN MAKERFIELD – SOUTHBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

A58 Gerard Street Southbound closed due to roadworks from A5062 Wigan Road to A49 Bryn Street (Kings Arms traffic lights) until 22nd November.

A58 MARKET STREET – HINDLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

A58 Market Street in both directions closed due to gas main work between A577 Wigan Road and A577 Cross Street until 0:00 on 31st August.

A577 MANCHESTER ROAD – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A577 Manchester Road in both directions between Birkett Bank and Rosebridge Way until 0:00 on 12th August.

A580 EAST LANCASHIRE ROAD – GOLBORNE – EASTBOUND – GREATER MANCHESTER

One lane closed due to roadworks on A580 East Lancashire Road Eastbound from A573 Warrington Road (Golborne Island, Golborne) to the B5207 (Lowton). Expect delays until 0:00 on 30th September.

A49 WIGAN LANE – WIGAN – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Lane in both directions between Milton Grove and The Woodlands until 16:00 on 14th August.

A49 WIGAN ROAD – STANDISH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A49 Wigan Road in both directions at Roundmoor Road until 0:00 on 14th October.

A572 CHAPEL STREET – LEIGH – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to water main work on A572 Chapel Street in both directions at Bedford Square until 0:00 on 14th August.

A572 MANCHESTER ROAD – ASTLEY – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on A572 Manchester Road in both directions at South Lane until 0:00 on 20th September.

A573 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on A573 Ashton Road in both directions at May Street until 17:00 on 14th August.

B roads:

B5207 ASHTON ROAD – GOLBORNE – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to roadworks on B5207 Ashton Road in both directions at A573 Wigan Road until 17:00 on 14th August.

B5238 WIGAN ROAD – ASPULL – BOTH DIRECTIONS – GREATER MANCHESTER

Temporary traffic lights due to gas main work on B5238 Wigan Road in both directions between Higher Lane and Dukes Row until 0:00 on 1st September.

Drivers commuting on the M8 through Glasgow are facing long delays going eastbound.

A serious crash on the M8 in Glasgow left two cars upside down on their roofs as motorists face long delays.

Emergency crews rushed to the eastbound carriageway near Junction 23 at the Dumbreck Interchange around 6.30am this morning. An alarm was raised following reports of a two-vehicle crash.

Commuters were told to expect delays of up to 26 minutes at around 6.51am this morning. Traffic Scotland cameras at Govan and Hillington showed massive tailbacks on the M8 eastbound.

At 7.20am the road was cleared, however, drivers were warned to expect delays of up to 33 minutes. The M74 is understood to have also been affected with traffic building as a result of drivers using it to avoid the crash.

Traffic Scotland wrote on X at 7.20am: “The M8 is now running clear eastbound following an earlier road traffic incident.

“Drivers should still use caution on approach and expect delays as queues remain.

“Current delay approx. 33 min.”

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Police are now looking for a 40-year-old man and a van as part of their investigation

Police are looking for a man who they believe can assist them with an investigation after a man died following violent disorder in Pontypool.

A murder investigation was launched in the days following the incident as a man, named as Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, died from injuries sustained in the violence. Mr Jones was sent to hospital with life-threatening injuries alongside two other men after the incident, which is alleged to have occurred at around 7pm in Mill Street, Pontnewynydd.

Ten men, aged 31, 33, 34, 39, 40, 40, 45, 59, 61 and 73, were arrested in connection with the disorder. Three men – aged 39, 45 and 61 – have since been released on bail. The other seven men remain in police custody.

Investigating officers have launched an appeal to find 40-year-old Anthony Paul Jones, as they believe he may be able to assist them with their enquiries.

Police also want to locate a blue Ford Transit van, with the registration MA23 FLC, which was reportedly involved in the disorder. The Ford Transit is believed to be missing its front lower nearside panel.

Gwent Police senior investigating officer, DSI Laura Bartley said: “We recognise that reports of this nature will cause concern in our communities, but our officers are working around the clock and conducting enquiries as part of this live investigation.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim.”

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“Anyone with information on Anthony Paul Jones or the blue Ford Transit van’s whereabouts, is urged to submit information via the Major Incident Public Portal:https://mipp.police.uk/operation/6126A72-PO1 or contact us quoting log reference 2600255536.

“You can also call us on 101 or direct message us on our Facebook or X social media pages.

“Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, with information on 0800 555 111 or visit online.”

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