Morning everyone,

Here’s your quick 3-minute rundown of what’s actually happening locally this weekend.

🚨 Local News & Police Updates

Hamstead Road shop thief jailed: A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to 48 weeks after targeting a local store 16 times over February and March, stealing over Β£1,500 worth of goods. He also hit shops along Walsall Road in Perry Barr.

Weapon seized in Great Barr: Police stopped a vehicle on Amblecote Avenue and recovered a machete. The driver has been remanded in custody and faces multiple charges including possession of an offensive weapon and driving offences.

Increased patrols: Police have confirmed they’re stepping up visible patrols locally following concerns around youth violence and anti-social behaviour.

🚧 Traffic & Travel

This weekend:

  • A38(M) Aston Expressway: Overnight closures (9 PM–5 AM) northbound towards Spaghetti Junction

  • M6/M5 link roads: Overnight closures (9 PM–6 AM), including M6 J7 towards the M5

Next week β€” plan ahead:

  • Aldridge Road: Full road closure Monday–Friday (April 20–24) between Queslett Road and Dyas Road

  • Newton Road: Lane closures (April 21–23, off-peak hours) for Openreach works

  • Queslett Road: Road closure Wednesday (April 22) for new road markings

  • Kingstanding Road: Lane closure near the traffic lights for barrier repairs

  • Aldridge Road junction: Temporary lights midweek at Thornbridge Ave / Greenholm Road

πŸ‘‰ Next week’s going to be busy β€” worth planning ahead now.

πŸŽ‰ What’s On This Weekend

  • Titanic Exhibition (NEC): Opens Sunday β€” recreated interiors and artefacts

  • Candlelight Concerts (Birmingham Cathedral): Saturday evening β€” Adele tribute (6:30 PM) + Ludovico Einaudi (8:30 PM)

  • The Prodigy (Utilita Arena): Saturday night if you’re after something louder

  • Bottomless Ska Brunch (Digbeth): Saturday daytime at The Night Owl

That’s your week in B43/B44.

If you found this useful, forward it to a neighbour β€” the more locals on here, the better it gets.

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Drive safe,

Great Barr Insider

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