Chance for an audience with Typhoon pilots

The government has backed plans to draw up a possible electric road system, or e-highway, near Scunthorpe, capable of powering electric lorries.

Some £2 million has been released to design the scheme, which, if approved and funded, would see electric cables installed above a 20km stretch of the M180 near Scunthorpe.

If designs are accepted, the electric trucks could be on the road by 2024, the Department for Transport announced on Tuesday.

It is part of a £20 million series of studies to accelerate the rollout of zero-emission road freight. The trials are funded by the Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK.

The ‘Electric Road System’ feasibility study, led by Costain Ltd with a consortium including Scania and Siemens Mobility, proposes to supply battery-electric trucks with electricity from overhead catenaries via a pantograph (similar to those used by trains and trams), enabling HGVs to charge dynamically.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Through our bold and ambitious transport decarbonisation plan, we’re leading the way in the transition to zero emission vehicles by becoming the first country in the world to commit to ending the sale of all new fossil-fuelled road vehicles by 2040, subject to consultation.

“From Doncaster to Scotland, by working in partnership with industry, this funding will allow us to better  understand the role of zero emission HGVs while levelling up the industry  and boosting regional economies.”

Plans to reduce carbon emissions to net zero in Britain by 2050 will see new diesel and petrol lorries banned by 2040, a pledge that has put pressure on lorry companies to tackle the difficult challenge of decarbonising road freight.

Other studies successful in their funding bids, and competing with the Scunthorpe proposal for final government funding, include hydrogen fuel call trucks and battery electric lorries.

A staff member at a branch of McDonald’s in Boston suffered minor injuries after being allegedly punched in the face and arm by a man.

The incident happened at the Queen Street restaurant after closing at around 12.51am on Sunday, July 25. Police say the man was asked to leave by a member of staff before attacking the staff member.

The offender is described as a white male, who is approximately 5ft 9, with a lean build. He is believed to be in his 40s and was wearing a pink polo top, blue jeans and glasses.

Lincolnshire Police released a photo on Wednesday, July 28 of a man they are appealing for help to identify, but the force did not specify whether or not he is a suspect or a witness.

Anyone who witnessed the assault, or who recognises the man in the photograph, should contact police on 101 or via email at [email protected] quoting incident number 28 of July 25.

Alternatively, it can be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.

Two young girls had to be rescued by the Cleethorpes coastguard after drifting 400m out to sea on an inflatable blue snake.

A member of the public raised the alarm just after 5pm yesterday after spotting the girls drifting further out to sea between Fuller Street bridge and Grimsby Docks.

The lifeboat crew quickly reached the girls and guided them back towards the shoreline.

A Cleethorpes Coastguard spokesperson said: “They were two young local girls that had come to beach without any adults and decided they wanted to play in the sea with their inflatable.

“They had absolutely no idea whatsoever what danger they had put themselves in. They were given suitable words of advice and went on their way, oblivious of what had just happened.

“Inflatable toys are not designed to be used on the sea or any other tidal waters. They are designed to be used in safe waters, such as swimming pools.”

The coastguard is advising the public to avoid bringing inflatables to the beach, adding: “The river Humber has very strong currents, which will very quickly wash you out to sea.”