Other UK News In Brief

Britons Abroad

UK travellers still stranded abroad because of the volcanic ash cloud should be able to return home by the end of the week, the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said. While some 100,000 tourists were brought back over the weekend after UK airspace reopened last week, Abta said there were about 35,000 Britons yet to board flights in airports around the world. "The majority of people are expected to be back by the end of the week," said an Abta spokeswoman.

CCTV Clue To US Assault

CCTV footage is being examined in an effort to find those behind a baseball bat attack on a County Armagh student in Chicago. Natasha McShane is in a critical but stable condition in hospital after the attack at the weekend. Her parents have flown from Northern Ireland to the US to be with her. Ms McShane and a friend were attacked on their way home from a night out. Commander Joe Salemme of the Chicago Police Department said a number of leads were being investigated.

Crash Delays Drivers

The M8 in Renfrewshire has been closed westbound after a crash involving a police car. The early morning accident happened between junctions 30 Craigton and 31 West Ferry and involved one other car. Strathclyde Police were at the scene this morning and there has been heavy traffic around Glasgow airport and the Erskine Bridge and diversions have been set up.

Bypass Bid Blocked

The building of the new Aberdeen bypass could be delayed by up to two years because of a legal challenge, it has been claimed. Transport Scotland, the agency responsible for the road, made the claim about a Court of Session action. Road Sense said it had instructed lawyers to begin action against the Scottish government's decision to give the go-ahead to the bypass. It came after a long-running public local inquiry in 2008.

Mayor Opens London Overground

A new era of rail travel for the Capital began today as the Mayor of London and Chair of TfL, Boris Johnson, opened the first section of London Overground's new £1 billion East London route, delivered early and on budget. The railway, which builds on and extends the old East London Line, will give Londoners fast and reliable cross-river rail journeys in a fleet of new air-conditioned trains running from Dalston Junction in the north via the City and Docklands to New Cross, Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south. It will support the regeneration of some of London's poorest boroughs and provide access to jobs, education and leisure opportunities to many who were not previously well connected to the city's transport network.

(BMcC)