Morning everyone,
Welcome to June — the weather is firmly back to being unpredictable. Here is your quick 3-minute snapshot of what's happening across Great Barr.
🚨 Local News & Community Updates
Great Barr's New Mayor: Congratulations to Councillor Margaret Sutton, representing our Great Barr, Tamebridge and Yew Tree ward, who has officially been named the new Mayor of the Borough.
Safer 6 Campaign Returns: Starting Monday June 8 and running until July 19, the Safer 6 initiative launches across Sandwell. Expect targeted action from the council, police and fire services tackling anti-social behaviour and environmental crime.
Keep Cool Safely: Barbecues and fires are banned in local parks, and open-water swimming remains strongly discouraged due to cold-water shock and hidden hazards.
🚧 Traffic & Travel
(Times and restrictions are based on council schedules and are subject to change.)
This weekend:
College Road (A453): Lane closure near Perry Beeches finishing today (Friday June 5) at 17:00
Hamstead Road (B42): Surface dressing works continue between Newton Road and Holland Road until June 10
Forge Lane: National Grid closure near the crematorium remains in place until June 17
Beeches Road: Temporary signals Sunday June 7 between 07:00 and 16:00 for reinstatement works
Next week — plan ahead:
Aldridge Road (June 8–10): Yes, still ongoing. More anti-skid resurfacing scheduled in phases between Queslett Road, Dyas Road and College Road
Aldridge Road Lane Restrictions (June 8–12): Additional daytime restrictions for central reservation tree pruning
Walsall Road (A34): Lane restrictions June 10 for ironwork replacement
Chapel Lane: Temporary signals June 11–12
Kings Road: Lane restrictions for utility works June 11–12
👉 Aldridge Road has been dragging on for a while now — unfortunately there's more to come next week. Allow extra time if that's on your usual route, especially during the school run.
🎉 What’s On This Weekend & Beyond
This Weekend:
Dartmouth Park Summer Fayre: Saturday, June 6 (11am–2pm). Head down to The Pavilion on Lloyd Street for plant sales, clothes stalls, books, and a tombola to support the Friends of Dartmouth Park.
Heritage Talks with Dr Mike Hodder: Sunday, June 7. Dr Hodder is kicking off his first local history and archaeology talk of the year, focusing on the deep history of Sandwell Priory and Bromwich Hall.
Looking Ahead:
Perry Barr Police Drop-in Surgery (One Stop): Thursday, June 11 (3:00pm–5:00pm). The local West Midlands Police neighbourhood team is holding a community drop-in surgery at the One Stop Shopping Centre.
Walking for Men’s Mental Health: Saturday, June 13 (10:30am). Healthy Sandwell’s free support walk arrives at Dartmouth Park. Meet at the War Memorial for an informal, hour-long peer support walk.
Live Music at Great Barr Library: Monday, June 15 (2:15pm). The Friends of Great Barr Library are hosting 'Work in Progress'—a live acoustic harmony duo playing hits from Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, and Crowded House.
Armed Forces Day: Saturday, June 27. Sandwell’s official celebration takes place at Civic Square, Oldbury, featuring a live parade, climbing walls, and local market stalls.
Safer 6 Campaign Returns: The massive "Safer 6" initiative is launching across Sandwell starting next Monday (June 8) to crack down on anti-social behaviour and environmental crime. While the borough-wide campaign kicks off over in Oldbury next week, our specific local focus week (under the West Bromwich umbrella) launches on Monday, June 29. During our week, expect targeted environmental clean-ups across local parks and alleyways, free CPR training, and pop-up council advice drop-ins. We will remind you when it gets closer!
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If you've spotted new roadworks, know about an upcoming event, or have a story to share from Great Barr email:
That’s your week in Great Barr.
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Drive safe,
Great Barr Insider