Morning everyone,
The European Athletics Championships are in full swing at Alexander Stadium this weekend — great for sport, but expect heavier than usual traffic around Perry Barr and Walsall Road.
Here is your local update for the week ahead.
🚨 Traffic & Roads
Kings Road (Monday 17 August): Road closure outside Lidl for road subsidence works. Major excavation involving heavy machinery so expect the area to be blocked with diversions in place.
Kingstanding Road / College Road Junction (A453) — ongoing until 31 August: Multi-way temporary signals remain active following a road traffic collision that damaged a traffic pole near The Bed Warehouse Direct and the Spar junction.
Aldridge Road (Monday 17–Tuesday 18 August): Lane closure for LED street lighting upgrades from Wellhead Lane junction up to College Road along the edge of Perry Hall Moat.
Hamstead Hill — ongoing until 21 August: Two-way signals continuing for arboriculture and pruning works near Elmwood United Reformed Church and Park Hill Drive.
Alexander Stadium (until Sunday 16 August): Heavy congestion, shuttle buses and parking restrictions around Walsall Road and Perry Barr all weekend for the European Athletics Championships.
📰 Local News
Park & Water Safety: Barbecues and open fires remain banned across all Sandwell parks due to wildfire risk. Open water swimming is strongly discouraged — cold water shock remains a hidden danger even in warm weather.
Summer Vaccination Catch-Up: Health teams are reminding parents to check their child's Red Book and make sure routine immunisations are up to date before September.
Food Waste Survey: Sandwell Council is asking residents to complete a short online survey about shopping and cooking habits to help reduce household waste.
🎉 What's On This Weekend
European Athletics Championships (Alexander Stadium): Running until Sunday 16 August — Europe's best athletes competing right on our doorstep.
Crime Writer Roger Ellory (Friday 14 August, 2pm): Free author event at Great Bridge Library, Tipton.
The Sanctum: Modern Metal Festival (Friday–Sunday, Digbeth): Independent grassroots metal festival at Dead Wax all weekend.
Oldbury Rep on Tour (Saturday 15 August, 7:30pm): The Changeling at Tipton Library.
Free Kids Swimming: All weekend at Sandwell leisure centres for under 18s. Registration required.
📅 Coming Up
Motown & Northern Soul Night (Friday 21 August, 7pm–9:30pm): Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre, The Detours live. Tickets £12.50
Ghost Hunt at Sandwell Valley (Saturday 22 August, 8pm–1am): Limited tickets
Summer Reading Challenge Silent Disco (Saturday 22 August, 11am): Great Barr Library, free
ONE Fest 2026 (August Bank Holiday weekend): Three-day African, Caribbean and South American culture festival at Sandwell Valley Country Park
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Drive safe,
Great Barr Insider