A number of temporary road measures are due to come into operation to ease traffic flows in central Birmingham at a time when the city is preparing to come under the national and international spotlight. Birmingham City Council’s actions are designed to support the free flow of traffic – and particularly public transport – at several key junctions close to New Street Station.

New research has today revealed the shocking numbers of private renters in the Midlands suffering at the hands of a rogue landlord, with approximately 120,000 experiencing an act by their landlord that could have resulted in legal action. The survey by Shelter and YouGov revealed alarming reports from renters including landlords threatening, harassing or assaulting them, cutting off utilities, not carrying out gas safety checks, and entering their homes without permission.

Tipton's annual community fun day comes to Victoria Park today after the original date in July was cancelled due to bad weather. Attractions on the day include a car boot sale, funfair, a mini zoo, bouncy castles and live music. Admission to the event, which runs from 11am until 6pm, is free. A wristband to cover unlimited fairground rides and inflatables all day is £3 for children under one metre and £5 for children over one metre.

Wolverhampton residents are being reminded to ensure they don’t miss out on the opportunity to vote. All households should have received a form asking people to check whether the information that appears on the electoral register for those living at the address is correct. The aim of the form is to ensure that the electoral register is up to date and to identify any residents who are not registered so that they can be encouraged to do so.

Smart Energy GB, the national campaign for the smart meter roll out, today publishes the second Smart energy outlook, the largest independent barometer of national public opinion on energy and smart meters.  The report finds high levels of satisfaction, control and energy-savvy amongst those who have already upgraded to their smart meter.

One in every eight of the Capital's dwellers (12.4 per cent) is jealous of Harry Potter's broomstick as a mode of transport, followed by President Barack Obama's Air Force One jet (10.6 per cent) and James Bond's speed boat (8.3 per cent). Beating the traffic and staying above ground – sometimes quite a way above ground – is what Londoners yearn for from their daily commute.