Ben Robinson

England

Investigative Journalist at BBC Radio 5 Live

Debut book The Trillion Dollar Conman out now. Investigative journalist with File on 4. Notts County FC.

Articles

Formal plans for new teaching block at school as part of expansion lodged

2 weeks ago | stowmarketmercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

Stowmarket High School could see its student numbers increase from 900 to 1,200 if given backing by Suffolk County Council. As well as the construction of a new two-storey building, its former sixth form facility could be converted into a music block. The new teaching block will be located around 25 metres away from the current building. Some classrooms may be reconfigured if the project is given the green light.
'It is horrendous' - Village plagued by traffic amid A14 closure

1 month ago | burymercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

Possible enforcement action is being sought to limit the number of HGVs which are using the A1088 through Norton, near Bury St Edmunds, overnight. A 7.5 tonne weight limit is operated on the route, with a permit required for hauliers who want to travel along the road. Residents have labelled the level of traffic overnight as "horrendous", with drivers using the route as a shortcut rather than the official diversion for the A14 resurfacing.
East of England Ambulance Service Trust spending on overtime

2 months ago | gazette-news.co.uk | Ben Robinson

The East of England Ambulance Service Trust spent more than £9million in overtime wages for ambulance crews (Image: EEAST) More than £9million was spent on overtime wages for ambulance crews in the region last year - with a limit now in place on the amount of extra hours staff can complete as the operating trust looks to cut costs.
Sudbury Greggs in Market Hill could undergo refurbishment

2 months ago | sudburymercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

The Greggs store in Sudbury could undergo a refurb if plans are approved (Image: Google Maps) A town bakery could be about to undergo a refurbishment, new proposals have revealed. Greggs is looking to carry out works on its store on Market Hill in Sudbury. Plans lodged with Babergh District Council reveal the outside of the shop will be given a fresh lick of paint, while internal alterations are also being considered. New floor, wall and ceiling finishes could be but in place.
Live updates on Marks and Spencer Stowmarket plans decision

2 months ago | stowmarketmercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.
£88million spending on private ambulances in six years slammed by union chair

Mar 26, 2025 | ipswichstar.co.uk | Ben Robinson

The spending by EEAST has been blasted as representing a "failure of long-term planning" by Mr Carrington (Image: Unison/EEAST) The region's ambulance service has been slammed after it forked out almost £90million in spending on private ambulances over a six-year period. Costs reached a peak in 2020 as the country got to grips with the Covid-19 pandemic.
Solar canopy could be installed over council office car park

Mar 10, 2025 | ipswichstar.co.uk | Ben Robinson

A solar canopy could be installed over the car park at Beacon House (Image: Lucy Taylor) A solar canopy could be erected over the car park of council offices under new plans. Suffolk County Council wants to construct three canopies over the car park at its Beacon House office in Ipswich. An application form said the canopies would be erected in a gull wing formation. It adds they would be installed at a 10-degree pitch, facing both north and south directions.
Plans for 64-bedroom care home on derelict hotel site set to be decided

Feb 12, 2025 | sudburymercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

Plans to demolish a derelict hotel at the edge of a town and build a new 64 bedroom care home have been recommended approval. Braintree District Council will meet on Tuesday, February 18, to discuss the proposals for the former Woodlands Hotel in Coupals Road, Haverhill. County Care Homes 5 Limited first lodged proposals for a new care home facility on the site, which sits just inside the boundary of Sturmer Parish Council in Essex, in 2023.
Legal talks between major retailer and council over controversial car parking charges

Jan 24, 2025 | sudburymercury.co.uk | Ben Robinson

The council is currently in negotiations over Great Eastern Road car park (Image: Newsquest/Babergh District Council) The delayed introduction of new parking tariffs at a town car park has been delayed after it was revealed one of Suffolk's best known retailers is locked in legal talks with council chiefs.
Funerals 'getting more expensive' as cost of dying continues to rise

Jan 23, 2025 | ipswichstar.co.uk | Ben Robinson

Craig Richardson, who runs a funeral directors in Haverhill, is hoping to make a difference to families by helping with costs of funerals (Image: Craig Richardson/Charlotte Bond) Funerals have been "getting more and more expensive for families", according to an experienced industry professional. Craig Richardson recently opened Hope Funeral Services in Haverhill High Street as a way to make a difference to families and their loved ones' funerals.