Alexander Brock

A section of the 48-acre Wheels Park site in east Birmingham, where Birmingham City FC plans to build a new stadium as part of a wider Sports Quarter, is proposed for designation as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation. Surveys found relatively scarce grassland supporting locally uncommon plant species, alongside woodland and scrub linked to wider habitat corridors. Birmingham City Council is recommending 14 new conservation sites and extensions to six others while separately pursuing plans for transport links, housing, a training centre, a women's stadium and an arena. The development forms part of wider efforts to regenerate east Birmingham, including an £11bn Mayoral Development Corporation launched by West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker.

Six Birmingham schools will receive new road safety measures, including speed cushions, pedestrian islands, narrowed junctions and bollards, under the Safer Schools Journeys programme funded by the Clean Air Zone. The initiative supports the city’s Road Harm Reduction Strategy aimed at eliminating serious road injuries and deaths. Public consultation runs until 24 July via Birmingham Be Heard.

Recycling collections resume in parts of Birmingham as the city launches a pilot waste‑collection overhaul introducing fortnightly household waste pickups, alternating recycling collections, and weekly food‑waste removal. Most households will receive new bins and caddies, while those unable to store wheelie bins will continue weekly waste pickups. The rollout changes collection days and requires bins to be placed correctly or residents risk fines. The restart is separate from an ongoing bin strike, with officials saying recycling will return citywide as resources allow. The new council leader prioritizes reaching a deal to end the strike.