Morning everyone,
With half-term drawing to a close, we are staring down the barrel of a massive shake-up on our local roads starting this Sunday and Monday. Here is what you need to know to stay ahead of the crowd.
🚨 Local News & Community Updates
New Sandwell Council Leader: Following Reform UK's historic victory in the local elections, Ray Nock has been formally confirmed as the new Sandwell Council leader this week.
£6 Athletics Tickets — Alexander Stadium (B42): This is a brilliant one for locals. The European Athletics Championships are coming to Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr this summer and you can now grab a Mondo Ticket for just £6.31 to watch Swedish pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis compete on August 14. They priced the ticket at £6.31 to match his world record height. An incredible deal for a major international event right on your doorstep.
Half-Term Final Stretch: Sandwell Council's Festival of Free Play wraps up this Sunday May 31. There are still free GoPlay sessions and library activities running across the borough if you need a final push to keep the kids entertained.
Myths & Legends Week: Running until Saturday May 30, Sandwell Museums are hosting trails, storytelling and crafts themed around mythical beasts and local history. Free entry.
Open Water Warning: With the weather staying warm, emergency services are reminding everyone to stay out of open water including Sandwell Valley and Dartmouth Park. The water just a few feet down remains freezing cold and can cause instant cramp or shock.
🚧 Traffic & Travel: The Monday Morning Lockdown
The school run restarts this Monday June 1, but the roads are going to look completely different. We have four major disruptions hitting us all at once.
This Sunday (May 31):
Birmingham Road / Queslett Road Junction: Lane closure near the main junction for traffic loop recutting works, 07:00–13:00. Expect delays around the Scott Arms area if you're out early
Starting Monday (June 1) — Plan Ahead:
Hamstead Road (B42) roadworks between Newton Road and Holland Road for carriageway surface dressing. June 1 (09:30) through to June 10 (23:59)
College Road (A453) Lane Closure: Severn Trent Water lane closure near Perry Beeches campus, Monday June 1 (08:00) to Friday June 5 (17:00)
Jayshaw Avenue Gas Works: Cadent Gas multi-way temporary signals Tuesday June 2 to Friday June 5
👉 Monday morning is going to be rough. With Hamstead Road and College Road restricted at the exact moment schools return, expect heavy knock-on traffic across the A34, Queslett Road, Scott Arms and surrounding rat-runs. Leave earlier if you can.
🎉 What's On This Weekend
Water Lantern Festival (Dartmouth Park): This Saturday May 30. Design your own biodegradable lantern, grab food from local vendors, listen to live music and release them onto the water at sunset.
The Saxons are Coming! (Wednesbury Museum): Saturday May 30, 11am–2pm. The Thegns of Mercia living history group take over the museum. Kids can check out real weapons, historical costumes and try Saxon crafts. Free entry.
Looking ahead — European Athletics Championships (Alexander Stadium, B42): Coming August 14. Mondo Duplantis pole vault for just £6.31. Worth booking now before they sell out.
💛 Love what we're doing locally?
If you run a local business, charity, event, club, café, pub night, fundraiser, kids activity or community group — get in touch. We'd love to mention more genuinely useful local things happening around B42/B43/B44.
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That's your week in B42/B43/B44.
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Drive safe,
Great Barr Insider