Exotic plants stolen from traffic island

Thieves have stolen exotic plants from a traffic island in Oldbury, following a £450,000 revamp of the former eyesore landmark.

Thousands of flowers and shrubs have been planted at Birchley Island as part of the revamp of the eyesore island, which is located near Junction 2 of the M5.

But the island has been targeted by thieves since the upgrade started - sparking a security alert that has led Sandwell Council to install a new dome hawk camera.

Sandwell's neighbourhood's chief, Councillor Mahboob Hussain, said: "The work at Junction 2 is in the final stages, but recently there have been some thefts of some planting.

"For that reason we have put a dome hawk camera and I am urging people to be aware we are investing money in improving the environment and now people are stealing. Whoever is doing this it is very dangerous and by crossing the busy road to get to the island people are risking their lives."

Councillor Hussain added: "We have reported these matters to the police and a camera has been put in but if people see this going on they should also report it.

"Luckily everything is insured so any planting which goes can get replaced."

Work on the Birchley Island scheme, on one of the busiest gateways to Sandwell, is set to be complete within the next few weeks when final signage is put in place.

A giant Welcome To Sandwell banner is being created for the island, costing £30,000, which will see a huge steel sign, adorned with images of chain makers and canal boats.

The scheme has seen 235 trees and more than 2,000 flowers and shrubs planted to spruce up the island.

More than 1,000 tons of soil has been used, along with 300 tons of gravel and more than 400 tons of glacial boulders.

Around 92,000 drivers pass by the island every day. The revamp has also included a section of the A4123 under the M5 viaduct, which has had better lighting and road surfacing installed.

* A water main has burst on the northbound carriageway of the busy Birmingham New Road, near Burnt Tree island, closing the road. Drivers are being told to divert along the A461 Birmingham Road and the A4037 Tipton Road.