What are we doing? We’ll carry out a number of different surveys on both carriageways. These will include checking drainage systems and existing buried services locations (including electrical and telecommunications cables), drilling carriageway core samples and ecology inspections. We’ll also clear vegetation in some isolated areas to help us safely carry out the surveys. We’ll work overnight, when the road is at its quietest for 6 weeks. How will the survey work affect road users? To safely carry out the surveys, we’ll need to close some lanes (in 4km sections at a time) but will keep one lane open on each carriageway while we work (Monday to Saturday between 9pm and 6am). We’ll take a ‘traffic count’ before we close the lanes and if the traffic levels are too high, we’ll delay the work until traffic levels reduce. All lanes will be open as usual during the daytime.

We’ll also need close the following slip roads overnight from 9pm and 6am:

M40 J16 southbound exit slip road on 1, 2 and 3 March 2021M40 J16 northbound entry slip road on 4 and 5 March 2021.

M42 J3 southbound entry slip road every night between 8 and 12 March 2021

M42 J4 southbound entry slip road every night between 15 and 19 March 2021

M42 J4 northbound exit slip road between every night between 22 and 26 March 2021

Please note these dates and times may be subject to change due to weather or operational reasons.

Diversion routes will be clearly signed but please note the diversion through Hockley Heath is only for traffic originating in Hockley Heath.

We apologise for any inconvenience this work may cause and advise everyone travelling through the area to allow extra time for journeys.

The Annual Parish Meeting is a meeting for residents to come and ask any questions they wish of the Parish Council. It will be held on zoom of course this year, and all are very welcome to attend. Martyn Sergeant of Solihull MBC community Champions has agreed to do a short update on Covid-19 and vaccinations in Solihull and to then answer any questions that residents have. Following this, the Parish Council will invite any other questions from members of the public.

If you would like to attend, please contact us on 07772469271 or dickensheathpc@hotmail.com for the meeting details.

There is support available to anyone struggling financially due to the Pandemic with their fuel and energy bills via Age UK Solihull and Act On Energy:

Click here for more information on help with fuel

There is also help available with food.

Click here for information on help with food

Solihull-Warmer-Winter-Flyer-2021

With only 18 months to go the Commonwealth Games is moving another step closer and to help with preparations we’re inviting residents, businesses, schools and organisations across the Borough to start sharing your ideas, priorities and expectations for the Games.  The responses received from this survey will help inform the council’s planning and investment over 2021 and 2022 – particularly ensuring that the opportunities the Games creates are relevant and accessible to everyone.

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games (28 July to 8 August) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the West Midlands on the global stage. The most dedicated, highly trained and determined athletes from across 71 nations will come together in a momentous celebration of sport, competition and community. Solihull Council is one of the host authorities, with 6 events (Badminton, Weightlifting & Para Powerlifting, Boxing, Table Tennis and Netball) taking place at the NEC.  The Council is researching what activities and events might be delivered in association with the Commonwealth Games.  This short survey will contribute to that research and inform the types of activities, events opportunities the Council can consider providing for the Borough.

The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete.  There are two versions, one specifically for children and young people, as well as one for all residents and stakeholders living and working in the Borough.  The survey will close at 12pm on 17^th February so please participate and share before then.

• 2022 Commonwealth Games Resident & Stakeholder Survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RQGBRG/
• 2022 Commonwealth Games Children & Young People Survey: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/O6KWEY/

In addition to the survey, we can also arrange to speak to groups and meetings to talk about the Games and to start collecting people’s ideas, comments and contributions.  If you have a meeting taking place during February, or would like to arrange one for your group to talk about the Games, then please get in touch with rebecca.johnston@solihull.gov.uk to arrange for a council representative to attend and participate.