http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk The Local Resilience Forum website for the West Midlands Conurbation Thu, 19 May 2011 08:01:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en The Olympic torch relay will stop in Birmingham as it makes its way around the UK ahead of the 2012 Games. The Olympic torch's arrival in the city on 30 June 2012 will be marked by an evening of celebrations. Birmingham will host the 160-strong US track and field team, who will ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2011/05/19/birmingham-to-host-olympic-torch/ More than 21,000 properties in the centre of Birmingham were without power due to an underground network fault. Electricity was lost at 1223 BST, but the vast majority had supplies restored by 1237 BST, Central Networks said. More than 230 properties, including ones in Newhall Street, Cornwall Street and Victoria Square, remained ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/10/08/power-cut-hits-thousands-in-birmingham/ A Birmingham hospital is to be named as a centre of excellence for blood cancer research later. Charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research has invested several million pounds in medical research projects at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Former England and Wolves footballer and leukaemia survivor Geoff Thomas will be among those attending a ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/09/20/queen-elizabeth-hospitals-blood-cancer-accolade/ As the barriers go up around Cofton Park in preparation for the Papal visit, those living inside the security cordon are awaiting the arrival of about 70,000 people for Sunday Mass led by Pope Benedict XVI. Roads around the Birmingham park will be closed off from 1800 BST on Saturday until ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/09/15/popes-visit-historic-event-or-one-to-avoid/ The Electoral Commission will publish its interim report later into the chaos which ensued at a string of polling stations on general election day. Hundreds of people, many of whom had queued for more than an hour before the polls closed, were unable to vote. Problems were reported in Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/05/20/election-night-vote-chaos-report-to-be-published/ People using Birmingham International Airport have been warned some flights may be affected because of risks from volcanic ash. The disruption is affecting flights to and from the Republic of Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday. Glasgow, Prestwick and Derry airports are likely to be closed all day. Birmingham airport said passengers should look ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/05/05/birmingham-airport-in-fresh-warning-over-ash/ Up to 12,000 properties in Kings Heath lose water Up 12,000 homes, including six schools in Birmingham, have been affected by a burst water main in the city. Severn Trent said the fault, caused by "third party contractor damage", occurred in Dads Lane, Kings Heath, at about 0900 BST. Supplies ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/04/22/up-to-12000-properties-in-kings-heath-lose-water/ Birmingham Airport will remain closed until at least 1900 BST as uncertainty over a new ash cloud remains. Volcanic ash drifting from Iceland prompted a UK-wide ban last Thursday. Earlier, it was thought the ban at Birmingham might be lifted by lunchtime on Tuesday, but the new ash cloud is causing doubts. The ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2010/04/20/birmingham-airport-reopening-delayed-further/ KEY POINTS The consultation rate for flu-like illness in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme decreased to 36.0 per 100,000 in week 45 compared to 37.7 in week 44. The main burden of flu-like illness nationally in week 45 is in the 25% of the UK population). The ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/11/16/weekly-pandemic-flu-media-update-12th-november-2009/ KEY POINTS The flu-like illness rate in England from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) scheme increased to 42.8 per 100,000 in week 43 compared to 39.1 in week 42. An increase was seen in all age groups. The main burden of flu-like illness nationally is in the 1-4 and 5-14 ... http://www.westmidlandsprepared.gov.uk/2009/11/04/weekly-pandemic-flu-media-update-29th-october-2009/