Morning everyone,
Here’s your quick 3-minute rundown of what’s actually happening locally this weekend across Great Barr, Hamstead and the wider B43/B44 area.
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🚨 Local News & Council Updates
Election results: This week’s local elections brought significant changes across the region. In Sandwell, Reform UK gained control of the council, marking the first major political shift there in decades. In Birmingham, Labour no longer holds overall control of the city council.
Great Barr & Perry Barr councillors: In the Great Barr, Tamebridge & Yew Tree ward, Michaela Allcock and Connor Lee Horton (Labour) alongside Margaret Laura Sutton (Reform UK) were elected. In Perry Barr, Morriam Jan and James Hinton (Liberal Democrats) took the seats.
Adult social care rating: Birmingham City Council’s adult social care services have maintained their ‘good’ rating following a recent Care Quality Commission assessment.
Looking ahead: Sandwell Museums are hosting a free Green Man Celebration at Oak House this Sunday (11am–4pm) with live music, Tudor dancing, crafts and family activities.
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🚧 Traffic & Travel
(Times and closures are based on current council schedules and may change.)
This weekend:
- Old Walsall Road (B4124): Temporary traffic lights are in place from today (Friday, May 15) for street lighting repairs near the shops by Age UK and the Amazon Hub. Expect delays around busy periods.
- Aldridge Road: Overnight resurfacing closures (7 PM–5 AM) remain active through the weekend until Tuesday, May 19.
Next week — plan ahead:
- Aldridge Road / Queslett Road junction: Lane closure scheduled next Wednesday (May 20) for council ironwork replacement works.
👉 Old Walsall Road is likely to be the main bottleneck locally this weekend, especially heading towards Hamstead.
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🎉 What’s On This Weekend
- Circus Fantasia (West Bromwich): Running all weekend (May 15–17) at the West Bromwich Circus Site.
- Motability Scheme Live (NEC): Friday and Saturday (9 AM–4 PM) featuring vehicles, mobility products and live demonstrations.
- Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals (Symphony Hall): Friday and Saturday evening performances in the city centre.
- Green Man Celebration (Oak House): Free family event this Sunday with music, dancing, crafts and spring activities.
- Looking ahead: Sandwell Valley’s Hoedown event takes place next Saturday (May 23) with live country music from Country Bound.
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That’s your week in B43/B44.
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Drive safe,
Great Barr Insider