Island is taking on new look

Birchley Island, near Junction 2 of the M5 in Oldbury, has 92,000 drivers travelling around it every day and council chiefs say their journey is set to become more pleasant. Flowers, trees and shrubs are being planted on and around the island to spruce it up, giving a more welcoming entrance point into Sandwell.

Workmen moved onto the site yesterday, and they will also be installing new lights and improving the road surface, as well as erecting a nine by five metre sign saying Welcome to Sandwell.

The Express & Star revealed on Wednesday that the notorious traffic island could also get a new name to go with its new image, as Sandwell Council bosses try to land a sponsorship deal with a nearby firm.

Borough neighbourhood boss Councillor Mahboob Hussain said today: "For 92,000 people a day, this is the first image they get of Sandwell, and at the moment it's not a very good one.

"All they see is the MEB power station. This will improve people's opinions and help businesses in the area. It is an important job and it will make a real difference to people's impressions of the borough."

Sandwell Council is paying the full cost of the work but it is hoped a sponsorship deal in the future could mean improvement work is ongoing. If a company near the island agrees to lend more cash in return for the island taking on the business's name, then the money would be spent on hanging flower baskets in Oldbury town centre.

The revamp of the island, which is expected to last for eight to 12 weeks, is not expected to disrupt traffic.