Road works at super school

Road works have begun in Rowley Regis as part of the project to create a £30 million super school in the town, and they are expected to take three months.

Work has now kicked off in Hawes Lanes to allow utilities to be connected to the new Rowley Learning Campus.

The work will include improvements to the road surface. An access road to the new school and traffic lights are to be installed, and Severn Trent Water is also carrying out work in the area. The first students move in, in eight months.

Site preparation began in Rowley last August.

Much of the structural work on the school has now been completed and work has started on the sports pitches.

It is one of two new schools taking shape in Sandwell as part of the £370 million Building Schools for the Future Scheme.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for children and families Councillor Bob Badham, said the road works were essential for the good of the BSF project.

He said: "BSF will deliver a revolution in secondary education in our borough and I am proud that work is on track."

When all the work is completed at the new school, it will be occupied by the current St Michaels CofE High School Business and Enterprise College, The Westminster Special School and Whiteheath Education Centre.

Westminster and Whiteheath pupils will move in during February and St Michael's students will move in to the new facility in June.

Smethwick Learning Campus is the second new school being built as part of the Building Schools for the Future scheme in Sandwell.

Councillor Badham added: "In my previous role at the council I was heavily involved in the design and development of both of these schools."

In Smethwick, refurbishment of the north block and design technology area is on schedule with a new sports hall and science building due to be completed by October.

Phase two will commence in November and will see the refurbishment of the south block and the existing science block.

Completion is due in September 2011.