birmingham city council — from luton every day. ton every day. birmingham city council says it can't _ from luton every day. birmingham city council says it can't commentl city council says it can't comment on specific cases, but it says it is working closely with the community, and those made permanently home are being given advice and support by housing officers. meanwhile, a crowdfunding appeal fought nadeem has so far raised more than £500. the commonwealth baton has arrived in the south west as it starts final leg which will eventually take it to birmingham for the start of the commonwealth games on the 28th of this month. this morning the relay began in cornwall at the eden project then came through plymouth and has just left exeter. johnny rutherford has been following its progress. flying into the eden project with a message from the queen to the commonwealth. carrying the temper macro across england. n was commonwealth. carrying the temper macro across england.— macro across england. i was asked if i wanted macro across eng

i'm joined now by the leader birmingham city council, labour councillor ian ward. good morning. ean for birmingham to be hosting these games? birmingham to be hosting these names? , , ., birmingham to be hosting these names? , ,., , birmingham to be hosting these names? , ,., ., , , ., birmingham to be hosting these names? , ,., , .,, games? this is our opportunity to be on the world — games? this is our opportunity to be on the world stage _ games? this is our opportunity to be on the world stage and _ games? this is our opportunity to be on the world stage and demonstrate | on the world stage and demonstrate what the city and the people of birmingham have to offer. the opening ceremony will be broadcast to over a billion people around the world so we'll never have a better opportunity than this to transform the image of birmingham and a reputation around the world and as you've heard from the people in smethwick, there is an immense amount of pride. this city has never looked better and the birmingham people are welcoming athletes, officials and visitors from 70 to nations and

there's been lockdowns and setbacks, but across this city, they are ready. joe lynskey, bbc news, birmingham. the leader of birmingham city councilelves have helped us leave over £1 billion of investment, transport infrastructure, for our population infrastructure, for our population in birmingham, so when we were told previously that we can afford it, the truth is, we can afford not to do this, because with the investment that we have seen into the city as a result of posting these games, it is far exceeded the money the city council has had to spend. that was the leader of— council has had to spend. that was the leader of birmingham - council has had to spend. that was the leader of birmingham city i the leader of birmingham city council. network rail says disruption to trains around the country will continue this morning because of the knock—on effect of yesterday's strike action. several operators have warned that services will start later than usual and people are being advised to check before travelling. another walk—out of drivers at seven companies is planned for saturday, and the aslef union has announced that its member

i was the ambassador for the stadium, for birmingham city - stadium, for birmingham city council, sod be absolutely fantastic.— absolutely fantastic. one of the athletes hoping _ absolutely fantastic. one of the athletes hoping to _ absolutely fantastic. one of the athletes hoping to be _ absolutely fantastic. one of the | athletes hoping to be competing absolutely fantastic. one of the i athletes hoping to be competing in that stadium was dina asher—smith and as i was saying, she's had to pull out with what we understand is a light hamstring strain. can you give us a sense of as an athlete when you have been training for these events, how disappointing it is when you are injured? it’s these events, how disappointing it is when you are injured? is when you are in'ured? it's hugely disappointing. — is when you are injured? it's hugely disappointing. injury _ is when you are injured? it's hugely disappointing. injury unfortunately| disappointing. injury unfortunately happens to every athlete at some point. it's probably the hardest thing for an athlete to manage and deal with, thing fo