Dominic Robertson

A lane on the M54 westbound between junctions 2 for Wolverhampton and 3 for Albrighton and Cosford was closed after a collision involving two vehicles damaged the central reservation barrier. Recovery work and a safety assessment were under way, causing delays of more than 30 minutes and queues extending for about four miles. National Highways advised drivers to plan journeys and follow traffic reports.

Fire crews from Bridgnorth Fire Station extinguished a car fire on August 16 after it spread to approximately 10 metres of nearby hedge. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose-reel jets to bring the blaze under control, and the station praised a newly qualified recruit following her first operational deployment.

A private recreational dog park is proposed on land next to Gainsborough Stables in Hilton, near Bridgnorth. The facility would contain two secure paddocks, operate through online bookings, accommodate up to eight dogs and four vehicles at a time, and provide exercise space for anxious, elderly, injured or reactive dogs. The proposal includes CCTV, daily waste removal, limited staffing and environmentally managed drainage. Shropshire Council is considering the application and will make a decision later.

Police investigating a burglary at Worfield Golf Club near Bridgnorth identified three suspects, leading to a search of a related property where officers found more than 100 cannabis plants. Four individuals were arrested on suspicion of burglary and cannabis cultivation and later bailed as enquiries continue. Police emphasized the links between cannabis grows and organized crime and urged anyone with further information to come forward.

A man in his twenties was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court for multiple rapes and assaults he committed between ages 11 and 13 against a victim under ten. Judge Anthony Lowe, required to sentence as if dealing with a 14-year-old, cited the number and frequency of offences, the victim’s age and lasting impact, and the defendant’s awareness of wrongdoing. Mitigating factors included no further offending and a diagnosis of Asperger’s. The man received five and a half years in prison, a ten‑year restraining order and lifelong registration as a sex offender.

Police appealed for witnesses after a man in his 60s died in a collision between his red Lambretta scooter and a Volkswagen Tiguan on the B4380 in Wroxeter. Occupants of a red Kia and a white Vauxhall Corsa who were in the area are sought for potential information, though neither vehicle is believed to have been involved. Emergency services confirmed the rider died at the scene, and officers are asking anyone with information or footage to come forward.

Telford’s refurbished waterside amphitheatre reopens on July 18–19 with a free weekend celebration featuring local performers, followed by a summer programme of free and ticketed events including theatre, music, comedy and family shows. Telford & Wrekin Council highlights the venue’s accessible and affordable cultural offer, with tickets now available through the Telford Theatre website.

Bridgnorth held an Armed Forces Day service at Bridgnorth Castle, bringing together veterans, serving personnel, civic leaders and residents in a show of gratitude and remembrance. The event, jointly organised by Bridgnorth Town Council and the Royal British Legion, featured a service led by Reverend Suzan Williams and remarks from community leaders emphasising appreciation for the Armed Forces. Entertainment from BMTC concluded the commemoration.

Fire crews responded to an overheating vehicle on the M54 between junctions 3 and 4, cooling the engine using a hosereel jet. Earlier, a separate car fire in Nantmawr was already extinguished when firefighters arrived. Three crews attended the motorway incident, with one dispatched to the earlier call.

Overnight closures are scheduled on parts of the M54 as National Highways carries out resurfacing at several junctions between Wolverhampton and Telford. The first phase runs June 29 to July 3 and includes full closures at junction 2 and between junctions 5 and 6. A second phase from July 1 to 16 closes the westbound junction 6 exit slip road and one westbound lane. Additional closures at junction 6 continue July 14 to 16. All works take place from 9pm to 6am.

A couple from Shropshire were sentenced for a series of tenancy and loan frauds involving falsified documents and unpaid rent across three towns. Tracey Dyas orchestrated the schemes, including deceiving close friends and landlords, leaving victims thousands of pounds out of pocket. The court found her responsible for repeated, deliberate dishonesty, while her husband, Andrew Dyas, played a lesser but complicit role. She received a three-year, two‑month prison sentence, while he received a suspended 12‑month sentence with community service and a curfew.