Other UK News In Brief

Libyan Diplomats Expelled

Five Libyan diplomats are to be expelled, Foreign Secretary William Hague has said. While updating MPs on the crisis today he said they are seen as being most supportive of the Gaddafi regime. PM David Cameron also said the UK was not ruling out providing arms to rebels in "certain circumstances" but no decision had yet been taken. He said it might be allowed under the original UN resolution that authorised the allies' military action. The news came after the allies held a summit in London on Tuesday to discuss Libya's future. The coalition military action is aimed at enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya and protecting civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Col Gaddafi. It has denied air strikes are meant to provide cover for a rebel advance.

Bomb Blocks Harbour

The Peterhead harbour area has been closed to the public after a fishing boat brought a suspected torpedo ashore. The emergency services were alerted to the incident at about 8.30am today with a safety cordon established around the device, which police said was believed to be of a "considerable age". A Grampian Police spokesperson said the area had been closed, and an army bomb disposal team was heading to the scene.

Lorries Go Green

Some lorries could be allowed to use longer trailers after independent research showed that this could cut carbon without compromising safety. The research is being published today by Roads Minister Mike Penning alongside a consultation seeking views on the proposed changes. The consultation proposes allowing a two metre increase in the total length of articulated lorries operating within the existing weight limit of 44 tonnes. This would take the maximum permitted length of an articulated lorry to 18.75 metres but would not allow any increase in overall weight. The Department for Transport estimates that this move could increase capacity for hauliers transporting lightweight goods by up to 13% and cut carbon emissions by around one hundred thousand tonnes each year.

Waterways Secured

Plans to create one of Britain's biggest charities to secure the future of more than 4,000 kilometres of canals and rivers in England and Wales have been set out. The Government announced last year that the publicly-owned inland waterways, currently managed by British Waterways and the Environment Agency, should in future be managed by a new charity. This would secure the waterways' long-term, sustainable financial future by enabling the new body to access new sources of income and greater public support, and give local people a greater say in their upkeep.

(BMcC/GK)