Fires are slowing travel and causing disruption in Greater Manchester and Birmingham today, while defence and a literary death lead the national news. In London, Kew Gardens is asking the public for help with one of its landmark buildings.
Bury residents told to stay away from a large fire near the town centre
A large fire broke out on Birch Street in Bury, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of this morning, close to the town centre. People have been told to avoid the area while the blaze is dealt with. If you live in Bury or travel through it, check local updates before you set out and expect disruption nearby.
Source: Manchester Evening News
Lorry fire brings long delays to the M6 in Birmingham
Drivers heading north on the M6 near Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham are facing major delays after a lorry caught fire. If you drive this way to work or to leave the city, allow extra time or look for another route until the motorway is clear.
Source: BirminghamLive
London’s Kew Gardens launches a £1m appeal for the Palm House
Kew Gardens in London is asking the public for £1m towards the restoration of its Palm House. The wrought-iron glasshouse is showing signs of deterioration and needs £66m of investment to renovate. For anyone who visits Kew, the appeal is a direct way to help pay for the building’s repair.
Source: BBC London
US pulls its B1 bombers out of RAF Fairford
The Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that it had moved B1 bombers from RAF Fairford in England back to their home stations in America. Donald Trump has said a “threat” was behind the decision. The move matters to anyone following the security of UK bases and Britain’s ties with the United States.
Source: BBC News
Conservatives propose a British “Iron Dome”
Kemi Badenoch has set out a Conservative plan for a new integrated air and missile defence system to protect Britain from attack, which the party describes as a British “Iron Dome”. This is an opposition proposal, not government policy, so nothing changes for now. Separately, former cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt, who lost her seat at the election, has been approved for the Tory candidates list, which means she can apply to stand in a Conservative seat.
Source: The Guardian
Author Jeffrey Archer dies at 86
The novelist Jeffrey Archer has died at the age of 86. His publisher confirmed that he died “suddenly and peacefully at his home between writing sessions”, after he had finished his final novel.
Source: Evening Standard
UK Today is a curated digest: we summarise and link, the reporting belongs to the publications named. Something wrong or missing? Tell us.
Sources
- BBC London: Kew Gardens asks public for £1m for Palm House, accessed 6 October 2026
- Manchester Evening News: Bury fire LIVE as 'avoid the area' warning issued amid huge blaze near town centre, accessed 6 October 2026
- BirminghamLive: M6 lorry fire live as Birmingham drivers stuck in huge delays, accessed 6 October 2026
- BBC News: Trump says 'threat' led US to pull bombers from RAF Fairford, accessed 6 October 2026 (archived copy)
- The Guardian: Badenoch calls for UK ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system – UK politics live, accessed 6 October 2026
- Evening Standard: Jeffrey Archer, 86, dies 'suddenly and peacefully at his home' after completing final novel, accessed 6 October 2026
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