M11 closed near Stansted airport after vehicle fire
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The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Southend airport reopens after crash tragedy
Seventy two hours after four people lost their lives in a crash at Southend airport, the terminal is reopening to passengers. Four easyJet flights are expected to land at the Essex airport on Wednesday evening. A full service of departures and arrivals is expected from Thursday 17 July. Shortly before 4pm on Sunday 13 July, an air ambulance bound for the Netherlands crashed immediately after take off. The aircraft was a twin-turboprop Beechcraft B200 Super King Air. Witnesses told of seeing a 'fireball', while images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media. Both pilots, a doctor and a nurse – named as Maria Fernanda Rojas Ortiz – died in the accident. They had dropped off a patient in Southend and were returning to the Netherlands. After the tragedy, all operations were immediately suspended, with inbound planes diverting to Gatwick and Stansted. Southend airport has remained closed, with easyJet running some of the planned flights from Gatwick. An airport spokesperson said: 'London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure. 'Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening (Wednesday 16 July). Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight.' The aim is to get aircraft in position for the resumption of normal airline operations from Thursday morning. The spokesperson added:'Our thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who tragically lost their lives on Sunday. Throughout the course of this week, we have continued to support the air accident investigation team as they carry out their work. 'Our airport staff and wider team are doing all they can to help during this incredibly difficult time, and will of course be on-hand to assist passengers as we return to service. The understanding and kindness shown by our local community has been incredible, and we are grateful for their support.' The first departure on Thursday morning is planned to be an easyJet flight to Malaga at 6.30am. The is continuing its work to determine the cause of the crash.
Sky News
6 hours ago
- Sky News
Southend Airport partially reopens after plane crash killed four people
Southend Airport has partially reopened after being closed following a plane crash that killed four people. Flights to and from the airport in Essex had been suspended since Sunday afternoon when a medical transport aircraft crashed moments after taking off. A statement from the airport on Wednesday read: "London Southend Airport is today partially reopening for a small number of flights, following Sunday's tragic air accident and subsequent closure. "Four easyJet flights will land at London Southend Airport this evening (Wednesday 16 July). Eastern Airways will also operate an empty positioning flight. "Normal airline operations resume from the morning of Thursday 17 July." Please refresh the page for the latest version.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Queensbury Tunnel cycleway plan too costly, say government
Campaigners hoping to convert a former railway tunnel into a cycle-way have been told the passage is to be made "permanently inaccessible" after the proposal was deemed too a letter to the Queensbury Tunnel Society, transport minister Lilian Greenwood said work to transform the tunnel, which is maintained by National Highways, did not offer "best value for the public purse" in a "challenging fiscal environment".She said, as a result, she was in favour of work to "stabilise the tunnel shafts", which campaigners say would bring an end to their hopes of transforming it into a walking and cycling route linking Bradford, Halifax and McWilliam, leader of the Queensbury Tunnel Society, said: "The government is making an investment in destruction to satisfy the needs of a roads body that only cares about its own narrow interests." National Highways inherited the 1.4mile (2.2km) long tunnel after the privatisation of British Rail and abandonment would reduce its of the tunnel as a greenway was first proposed as a Tour de France legacy scheme in 2014 after the Grand Depart of the world-famous cycle race was held in 2018 and 2021 National Highways spent £7.2m on strengthening the tunnel, saying the work would "prevent further uncontrolled collapses, ensuring that any future plans for the re-use of the structure can be realised".Campaigners say work to complete the project would cost in the region of £16m.A feasibility study, published by cycle charity Sustrans earlier this year, found that the route would improve local connectivity and generate £3 in social, economic and tourism benefits for every £1 spent on McWilliam said: "Why are National Highways managing structures like Queensbury Tunnel, why are the government not shifting responsibility for the tunnel and other historic infrastructure to a department who really understand the public benefits of greenways and how to repurpose heritage structures?" A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: "Given the continued deterioration of the Queensbury Tunnel, and in the absence of local funding to develop it as a transport link, National Highways has been instructed to carry out works to maintain public safety."This has been a difficult decision but ultimately, we have a responsibility to safety and delivering value for the taxpayer".West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who previously campaigned for the tunnel to be reopened said while she shared the disappointment of campaigners she understood the government's said: "The Government had to act quickly to secure the site, and the realities of public finances meant a difficult decision needed to be made."In 2024 Bradford Council said that while it was "supportive of restoring the tunnel in principle" it was unlikely to be able to fund further and would instead focus on other active travel are due to meet with Greenwood in London later this month to discuss her decision. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
