If you're heading to France or Devon and Cornwall from Shropshire or the West Midlands this weekend, you could be in for a difficult journey.

Ambulance chiefs in the West Midlands have been told that demand is "not the issue" as the service struggles with deteriorating response times.

Council tax bills in the West Midlands could rise next year to pay for the Wednesbury-Brierley Hill tram line.

The Met Office has issued an update over a possible UK heatwave in August following record temperatures in July.

A Black Country couple have been forced to hire an hotel room so they can attend a family wedding on the day of a cycling event for the Commonwealth Games.

A row erupted this week over green spaces and their poor quality, revealed in a cabinet document at Sandwell council.

Activist Malala also spoke at the event in Birmingham on Thursday.

Comedian Joe Lycett delighted audiences on social media with a dig at the Government during the coverage of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games opening.

Two men who led police on a chase though a town in a stolen car which contained a machete and bags of cannabis have avoided prison.

The Games have begun at a Black Country shopping centre as it launched a programme of free activities and events.

The controversial Black Country Plan will come under scrutiny at a special council meeting later this year.

As the Commonwealth Games begin, the work has begun for the different emergency services across the region.

Closing a bank branch in Darlaston will "rip the heart" out of the town and signals the death knell for the high street, a frustrated councillor has said.

The Conservatives have held onto a council seat in South Staffordshire by a margin of 10 votes.

A total of £14,000 has been raised for a charity in the Black Country through a long-standing football competition which dates back to 1926.

A new wreath created to signify remembrance, hope and healing from racial troubles has been unveiled at a special ceremony.

Andy Street has urged people to back plans to bring the new organisation responsible for running Britain's railways to the West Midlands.

The women chainmakers of Cradley Heath who were the first trade unionists to win a minimum wage finally have got their moment in the global spotlight.

An Aldridge businessman should get "the gold medal for construction" after building a McDonald's in Perry Barr in 57 days.

The Black Country's own Lenny Henry was the master of ceremonies as the West Midlands officially welcomed sportspeople from across the world for the start of the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Five people including a pensioner have been arrested after a street brawl where a machete was brandished in West Bromwich.

The Red Arrows will fly over Birmingham and parts of Staffordshire tonight as part of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

People across the West Midlands were excited to catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows tonight as they flew across the region as part of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

There is a special feeling of celebration in the air at a Black Country park as the Commonwealth Games get started.

Millions of eyes will be on the Alexander Stadium as it becomes one of the main venues for the Commonwealth Games.

A young autistic man who was worried he wouldn't see his father carry the Commonwealth Games baton because of the RMT train strike was helped out by a good Samaritan.

The demonstrators were led by human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

HS2 has welcomed the jailing of tunnellers and protestors who held up construction work in Swynnerton, Staffordshire.

More than £1 million in funding has been secured to prevent male violence against women and girls in the West Midlands - including over £365,000 for Wolverhampton Council and over £227,000 for Sandwell Council.

The Games will open in Birmingham on Thursday night.

Five people including a pensioner have been arrested after a street brawl where a machete was brandished in West Bromwich.

Spectators will be heading to Cannock Chase Forest in the coming days for the Commonwealth Games mountain biking event.

Bus group Rotala, which has its headquarters in Tividale and operates Diamond Bus, saw profits recover in the six months to the end of May.

The summer of sports for hundreds of Black Country parents and children has been cancelled after being told their beloved football pitches will close on Sunday.

Fire fighters from across the Black Country were called to tackle a fire in a trading estate yard.

An appeal has gone out for information to help find a woman who made racist comments to a security officer at a supermarket.

A pensioners only music festival is being held at Halfpenny Green Airport next month.

HomeServe kicks off its new principal partnership of the Walsall FC Foundation this week with a firm focus on making a real and positive difference to young people's lives.

Millions of eyes will be on the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham over the next 12 days as it hosts a range of sports for the Commonwealth Games.

A long-standing former housing office on a Wolverhampton estate is to be converted into a four-bedroom house, councillors have agreed.

Metro Bank, which has branches at Merry Hill and Wolverhampton, saw its pre-tax loss reduce in the first half of this year.

Families have won their battle to stop hundreds of asylum seekers moving into former university accommodation in Stafford.

Motorists are facing delays on the M6 due to a lane closure.

West Midlands Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of a man who is wanted on recall to prison.

The final series of the Bafta-nominated series aired earlier this year.

He also starred in the Carry On films and BBC children’s TV series Jackanory.

A free park and ride bus service and increased cycle parking will be available in Wolverhampton when the city hosts a Commonwealth Games event.

Empty industrial buildings which have been plagued by vandals and left unsafe will be torn down in Brownhills.

Defence contractor Babcock International has swung to an annual profit as its contract backlog grew, citing governments prioritising defence and national security in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Vulnerable pensioners have been moved out of a Stourbridge care home rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission.

A Wolverhampton Council web designer has had his peculiar creation recognised by the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

The Black Country and Staffordshire both have some real gems when it comes to pubs.

A dazzling drag duo has held a night of fun and dancing in Wolverhampton.

Smethwick hosts the only brand-new venue built for this year's Commonwealth Games.

New jobs will be created when a manufacturer relocates its operation to an industrial site in Aldridge.

Legal restrictions surrounding the use of Dudley Hippodrome's land look set to be removed as chiefs look to "press ahead" with education campus plans.

More beautiful public park teams across the region are celebrating after retaining prestigious Green Flag status for high standards in a bumper year for the region.

Professional services company Accenture is to establish a new Midlands regional hub which will create new jobs.

Councillors joined a sleep out event over the weekend to raise awareness and funds for an addiction support charity.

All out elections for every council ward in Sandwell could soon be a reality after a public consultation was approved to change the way the area is governed and how elections are run in the borough.

Efforts are under way to save a 200-year-old wishing tree at risk of dying.

Residents and organisations in Stafford borough have been praised for their efforts to support refugees fleeing war-torn Ukraine – but a community leader has hit out at the Government’s response to the crisis.

Multiple resignations at a parish council near Stafford have led to the borough authority stepping in to keep it running.

Excitement is building as the opening day of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games has finally arrived.

Accountants Blackthorns are working with the Ladder for The Black Country to offer two new apprenticeship opportunities.

One in 10 complaints made against councils nationally were made in the West Midlands with problems with education being a major issue, a watchdog has revealed.

Sir Lenny Henry was beaming with pride as he carried the Queen’s Baton through Birmingham city centre on the eve of the Commonwealth Games.

Shopping centres group Hammerson has swung to a first-half pre-tax profit as footfall recovered to near pre-pandemic levels and costs fell.

An MP has visited a nursery to present them with a letter sent on behalf of the Queen to thank them for their card marking the Platinum Jubilee.

Transport group National Express has reported a strong rebound in its performance after seeing both profits and revenues increase.

Commuters are facing reduced services this morning as services recover following yesterday's strikes.

Customers in a Staffordshire pub were given a surprise after an unusual visitor walked in.

Hot weather might be great for ice cream sellers, but it is little short of disastrous if you are serving up Sunday lunches.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has branded the Commonwealth Games as an opportunity to showcase the "best of Britain" as it gets under way from today.

Liz Truss will make a better Prime Minister for the West Midlands than "disloyal" Rishi Sunak, an MP has claimed.

Plans have been submitted which could see a community centre in the Black Country torn down and replaced with a new modern health facility.

A "kind and caring" seven-year-old girl from the Black Country has raised more than £800 for a charity which helps homeless people.

A man will make a family trip to Australia in memory of his wife after winning the lottery at the hospice that cared for her.

Diversionary tactics, targeted patrols and crime prevention advice are among the approaches Staffordshire Police is using in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) this summer.

Almost £7,000 has been raised for two charities after an open day was held to celebrate the anniversary of a company.

Strict officials at the Commonwealth Games are threatening legal action to force a harmless series of bar games held in city centre pubs to change its name.

Vegemite, maple syrup, plantain and haggis are just some of the ingredients that make up a range of bizarre burgers by a popular restaurant chain celebrating the flavours of the Commonwealth.

Police in Brierley Hill have arrested two suspects in a string of robberies on the elderly.

A celebration has been held at a community association in the Black Country after they were awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

A Wolverhampton teacher died in a 150ft plunge after trying to find a beauty spot pool on Snowdon days before Christmas, an inquest has heard.

The deadline for several voluntary sector contracts being offered by the City of Wolverhampton Council has been extended.

Disgusting scammers are reportedly targeting people who have lost their pets by taking their contact information from online posts and posters.

Stourbridge Junction Railway Station, home of the social media star George the Cat, has had a host of upgrades in and around the station grounds.

A retired Rugeley woman is celebrating after winning £600 on a free lottery website.

A Walsall dad who was wrongly held at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport for two weeks has described his heartbreak after missing his son's 12th birthday.

Railway stations across the West Midlands have fallen extremely quiet as passengers faced fresh travel chaos amid thousands of workers going on strike.

The sale of illegal vapes and e-cigarettes in Staffordshire has led to an increase in seizures by trading standards officers.

A woman has been arrested after she was caught with crack cocaine and heroin in Cannock.

A hospice charity shop has mistakenly sold a unique painting of local celebrity Jasper Carrott - made with his own sweat, hair, blood, and spit - for just £20.

A man who blacked out at the wheel on the A5 and was involved in a serious crash was shocked to learn it was caused by undiscovered meningitis.

Luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover has reported a pre-tax loss of £524 million for the first three months of its financial year.

Drivers in Staffordshire have been warned of delays when an A38 exit slip road will close for 15 months.

Sunita Banga has been appointed equality and diversity specialist lead midwife for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.

People driving on the M6 toll road have been put in "unnecessary danger" after a series of incidents where bricks and objects were dropped off bridges.

A new sustainable and safe route for cyclists and walkers to get to the main Commonwealth Games stadium has officially opened.