🎷 Jazz & Blues Festival + Major Forge Lane Weekend Closure

Forge Lane (Saturday 25 July – 7 August): A full road closure will be in place end-to-end for carriageway surface dressing starting at 06:00 AM this Saturday. This will completely block access past the Sandwell Valley Crematorium and down towards Swan Pool and the main Country Park. Expect massive weekend congestion on surrounding routes as park-goers divert.

College Road (Ongoing until Saturday 25 July): The active lane closure for LED street lighting upgrades remains in place until 23:59 on Saturday night. Delays are concentrated from Aldridge Road to Warren Road, right by the Spar and Crossway Lane junction.

Walsall Road / A34 (27 July – 29 Jul): A rolling lane closure will be active for tree felling and grinding operations. Works will impact multiple points along the main strip, specifically outside the Great Barr Muslim Foundation and extending up towards Tower Hill Library and Gainsborough Road.

Old Walsall Road (27 July – 6 August): Cadent Gas is moving in to replace old iron gas mains with plastic piping. Expect multi-way temporary signals right at the Kingsdown Avenue junction, directly outside the 5 Star Day Nursery and the Miners' Memorial.

Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival Hits Sandwell: The legendary festival has officially kicked off and runs until 1 August. A packed programme of completely FREE live music performances is taking place across the borough, including indoor and outdoor shows at local libraries and the Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre.

Friar Park Millennium Centre Reopens: The vital community hub in nearby Wednesbury has officially opened its newly expanded, revamped facilities. Funded by the Levelling Up Partnership, the modernized centre now boasts a permanent library branch, a brand new community café, and a dedicated youth space.

Summer 'Summer of Fun' & HAF Bookings Active: With schools out, bookings for the Sandwell Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme are fully live. Eligible families can register online to secure free holiday activity slots and nutritious meals across the break.

The Sax Pistols Live (West Bromwich Indoor Market): Tonight, Friday 24 July, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Free entry jazz and blues launch night.

Free Live Music Showcases: Saturday 25 July & Sunday 26 July. Free festival performances running throughout the daytime at the Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre.

Park Safety Patrols: All weekend. A reminder from the council that barbecues and open fires are strictly banned in all green spaces due to dry conditions (carrying an immediate £100 fine). Open water swimming is also strictly prohibited at Swan Pool and surrounding lakes due to sudden undercurrent risks.