Latest News, Events and Updates
Important Travel Update | New Bus Gate on Grove Lane, Smethwick
We want to let you know about a new bus gate that has been introduced on Grove Lane, Smethwick, near the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital.
A CCTV enforcement camera has been installed at this location and will soon go live. This means that any unauthorised vehicle driving through the bus gate will receive a penalty charge notice (PCN) of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days).
Why is the bus gate in place?
- The bus gate forms part of the public transport route serving the new hospital.
- The road was previously closed to general traffic but has been reopened for buses and authorised vehicles only.
- It is designed to act as a public transport hub for hospital drop-offs and to keep traffic moving smoothly in this busy area.
What is a bus gate?
A bus gate is a section of road reserved for buses (and other authorised vehicles).
- It is in effect 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- It helps to prioritise buses, reduce congestion and improve air quality.
When will fines start?
- From Monday 20th October, drivers who pass through the bus gate without authorisation will receive a warning notice instead of a fine.
- From Tuesday 2nd November, PCNs will be issued to unauthorised vehicles.
We encourage all residents and visitors to plan ahead and use alternative routes if you are not travelling by bus.
Road Safety Week 2025 | 16th – 22nd November
Bikeability Draw | October Half Term 2025
Bikeability have announced the results of their October Half Term Draw. The winner received a £250 voucher, which they will use to purchase balance bikes and scooters for their children.
Congratulations Harvills Hawthorn Primary School!
Well done to Al Khair School, Brickhouse Primary School, Grace Mary Primary School, Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, Langley Primary School, Park Hill Primary School, St Gregory's Catholic Primary School, St James C of E Primary School, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, St Philip's Catholic Primary School, Tameside Primary Academy and Tipton Green Junior School, as they achieved 80% and above attendance compared to their booked number and were entered into the draw.
Brickhouse Primary School, Grace Mary Primary School, Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, Langley Primary School, Park Hill Primary School, St James C of E Primary School, St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, St Philip's Catholic Primary School and Tipton Green Junior School automatically received a £50 voucher, as they achieved 95% and above attendance compared to their booked number.
Cycle to School Week 2025 | 13th – 17th October
WOW Top Ten Challenge | Autumn 2025
Living Streets have published the results of their Autumn 2025 WOW Top Ten Challenge and we are pleased to announce that five schools in Sandwell featured in the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Top Ten Leaderboard.
Congratulations to Abbey Junior School, Yew Tree Primary School, Abbey Infant School, Wednesbury Oak Academy and Blackheath Primary School.
Harvills Hawthorn Primary School, Moat Farm Junior School, Causeway Green Primary School, Lyng Primary School and Albert Pritchard Infant School also featured in the Sandwell Top Ten Leaderboard.
This challenge enables schools to compete regionally and nationally with the aim of topping the WOW Top Ten Leaderboards. It boosts engagement and increases walking rates to support pupils’ health and wellbeing while helping to reduce congestion and pollution.
Well done to everyone who took part!
Please visit Living Streets to find out more about their campaigns.
Drive 2 Arrive | October 2025
Sandwell and Walsall Councils in conjunction with our partner agencies held our young driver event at Bescot Stadium, Walsall on 13th and 14th October.
Over the 2 days, prospective new drivers from Sandwell and Walsall schools and colleges benefited from important information associated with becoming a responsible driver.
During the day, the students experienced five interactive scenarios presented by Walsall Council's Road Safety Team (focus on behaviour change with VR), West Midlands Police, The Beacon (Young Person’s Substance Misuse Service), National Highways and The DVSA.
Students also had a practical driving session with an instructor from the ‘Young Driver’ company.
The event is free, so if your secondary school or college would like to find out more and take part next year, please email Road_Safety@sandwell.gov.uk.
Have a Safe T.R.I.P. | Autumn 2025
National Highways wants everyone to have a safe T.R.I.P. this autumn. As the weather becomes colder and more changeable, tyre safety becomes even more important. Autumn driving can be unpredictable, so it’s worth keeping a raincoat, some water, a torch, a blanket and a few snacks in the car.
So, remember T.R.I.P.:
T: Top-up fuel, check your oil and screen-wash, ensure you are charged
R: Rest every 2 hours for at least 15 minutes
I: Inspect your tyre tread and pressure
P: Prepare for the weather and check your route before setting off
Please visit National Highways to find out more about their campaign.
Calling All Key Stage One Staff in Sandwell Schools | 2025
Digital Road Safety is still available completely free of charge for all Sandwell schools. Research shows that children learn road safety best by being immersed in the environment.
Following recognised pedestrian training techniques, children view the roadside from the unique viewpoint of the pedestrian and by looking right and left they are in a tangible situation.
Visit Digital Road Safety and get started!
Coming soon!
A new app-based version with new content for KS1 and Year 6. Why not contact us if you would like to be one of the first to get involved.
Help us to pilot this new exciting resource. For more information email Road_Safety@sandwell.gov.uk
Record, Report, Result! | West Midlands Police Operation Snap 2025
West Midlands Police want to make sure our roads are as safe as possible for all users, and they need your help with Operation Snap.
Did you know you can now send footage of dangerous drivers to West Midlands Police, so that action can be taken?
Each piece of footage, whether recorded on a dashcam, CCTV or a mobile phone held by a passenger, is reviewed by specially trained staff. If an offence is identified, the driver can be prosecuted or told to take a driver improvement course.
Offences might include:
- dangerous driving
- using a mobile phone while driving
- not wearing a seatbelt
- failing to stop at a red traffic light
- using a trailer in lane three of a motorway
- crossing solid white lines
- other offences where a driver is clearly not in proper control of a vehicle
Thousands of people have already sent in dashcam, helmet cam and mobile footage showing careless and reckless driving that puts lives at risk.
Four in five reports sent in by the public have resulted in a positive outcome, including warning letters, education courses, fixed penalties and prosecution.
Reports must be submitted within 10 days of the alleged offence and footage should include the whole incident (and, wherever possible, one minute prior to and after the offence).
Along with the footage, submissions need to include details about the date, time and location of the incident, and the registration, make and colour of the vehicle.
If you are reporting an incident that involves a collision, please do not use this service. Instead, please call West Midlands Police on 101, select option 1 and provide details within 24 hours of the collision taking place.