Morning everyone,
If you are planning to use the M42 this weekend or the usual routes around Little Aston and Monmouth Drive next week, read this before you leave the house.
🚨 Critical Traffic Warning
M42 Full Weekend Closure — Starts Tonight: The National Highways and HS2 motorway works officially kick off tonight (Friday June 26). Full weekend closure of the M42 to install a new 300-metre twin-box structure. Expect severe knock-on traffic around the A38 and all boundary routes. Avoid if you can.
Mill Lane Advanced Warning: Upcoming full road closure on Mill Lane between Chester Road (A452) and Aldridge Road (A454) for Staffordshire County Council highway repairs. Window is July 4–14, with the road entirely shut for two specific days within that period.
📰 Local News
10 New Businesses Coming to Gracechurch Centre: Big changes are coming to the town centre. Ten new shops, bars and businesses are confirmed for the Gracechurch Centre including Tesco, a bowling alley, a rooftop cocktail bar, a climbing venue and a new café. More details emerging as tenants are confirmed.
Baresca Tapas Coming to Mere Green: Award-winning Barcelona-inspired tapas brand Baresca is opening its first West Midlands venue on Wednesday July 22, taking over the former Bistrot Pierre site on Mere Green Road. Expect tapas, rotisserie chicken, cocktails, sangria and Friday evening vinyl DJ sessions. Space for 150 diners inside and 40 on the outdoor terrace.
💛 Community Spotlight: Apollo Healing Arts Showcase
If you're heading into the town centre this Saturday June 27, the Gracechurch Centre is hosting a free community arts festival — the Sutton Coldfield leg of the city-wide Healing Arts Birmingham week, run by Apollo, a local mental health charity that uses music and drama to support emotional wellbeing.
Free drop-in event running throughout the afternoon under the glass roof outside Costa Coffee:
🧘 12:20pm: Free Yoga-Chi workshop — gentle mindful fusion of yoga and tai-chi
🧺 12:45pm: Interactive Musical Picnic for young families, great for children with SEND
🎻 3:00pm: Finale Family Concert featuring local young performers and the Apollo Academy
Just turn up on the day, or book a free priority ticket at apollouk.org
🚧 Traffic & Travel
Ongoing:
Little Sutton Lane: Cadent Gas multi-way signals for gas pipe upgrades through to July 10
Walsall Road (near Little Aston Hospital): Two-way signals for South Staffordshire Water works through to Tuesday June 30
Monmouth Drive & Digby Road: Cadent Gas pipe replacement near Sutton Coldfield Grammar School, multi-way signals through to Friday July 10
Walmley Road: Multi-way signals near New Hall Valley Country Park for street lighting repairs, clearing this Sunday June 28
Next week — major 5-week disruptions starting Monday:
Forrest Drive: Cadent Gas gas main replacement. Temporary traffic regulations and parking restrictions from Monday, in place for 5 weeks
West View Road, Coopers Road & Rosemary Hill Road: South Staffordshire Water main replacement. Temporary traffic orders from Monday, also expected to last 5 weeks
👉 Next week your worst bottlenecks will be Monmouth Drive, Little Sutton Lane and the new works on Forrest Drive and Rosemary Hill Road. Allow extra time for the school run.
🎉 What's On This Weekend
Apollo Healing Arts Showcase (Gracechurch Centre): Saturday June 27, free all afternoon. See Community Spotlight above for full details.
Sutton Coldfield Dining Club: Saturday June 27, 12pm–7pm. Digbeth Dining Club's summer tour returns to Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club for a massive street food festival.
World Cup Fanzone & Live Music (The Station): Saturday June 27. England group stage watch party plus Live & Loud Saturdays in the beer garden with DJ from 3pm.
HAPPENiN at The Bracebridge: Friday June 26, 7pm–midnight. Lakeside mid-summer house music event featuring international DJs including Cream Supremo George Kafetzis.
Farmers & Craft Market (The Parade): Sunday June 28, 10am–3pm. Regular Sutton Coldfield Farmers and Craft Market organised by Visit Royal Sutton Coldfield BID.
Got local news to share? Email: [email protected]
If you found this useful, forward it to a neighbour.
Not subscribed yet? Join free at suttoncoldfieldinsider.co.uk — takes 10 seconds.
Drive safe,
Sutton Coldfield Insider