James Burns

Andy Burnham announced at Wolverhampton bus station that disabled people in the West Midlands would receive unlimited free bus travel around the clock. The change removes weekday time restrictions that currently limit the use of disabled bus passes to between 9:30 a.m. and 11 p.m., with the stated aim of improving access to employment, education and healthcare and reducing cost-of-living pressures. The policy follows calls from Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles for earlier free travel and comes alongside plans to return the region’s bus network to public ownership.

Following a fire that reportedly destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others in Norton and Stourbridge, Andy Burnham pledged that insurance claims should face no unnecessary delays or obstacles. Angela Rayner said insurers had so far been responsive and urged them to support affected residents, including a family that lost both its home and home-based business. Dudley Council and the Association of British Insurers advised residents to contact insurers promptly, noting that standard home policies typically cover fire damage and may provide emergency payments and rebuilding assistance.

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner praised the Stourbridge community for rallying around residents whose homes were destroyed or badly damaged by a major fire. During visits to Stourbridge Town Hall and West Midlands Fire Control in Birmingham, she observed volunteer efforts, donations and emergency support, noting that displaced residents had found accommodation. Rayner said the damage would take a long time to repair and urged insurance companies to provide comprehensive and prompt assistance, describing the incident as unprecedented for the West Midlands.

A wildfire in Stourbridge spread across Racecourse Lane and surrounding roads, damaging several homes and affecting Stourbridge Golf Club. Three firefighters, six members of the public suffering smoke inhalation, and one child were taken to hospital. Crews continued working to contain the fire and prevent further spread or reignition, while road closures remained in place and authorities urged the public to avoid the area and reduce the risk of outdoor fires.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched by Chelsea Bill to support her sister and her family after a large house fire on Bridgefield Walk in Rowley Regis destroyed their three-storey home and belongings. The fundraiser set a target of £3,500 and had collected nearly £3,000 within a day, while also seeking donations of clothing, toiletries, furniture and other essentials.

Six people were arrested after West Midlands Police discovered a suspected Class A drug production lab following a raid on a shop in Smethwick High Street. The discovery formed part of Operation Advance, a wider Sandwell policing operation that resulted in more than a dozen arrests for suspected robbery, drug possession and vehicle-related offences. Police also seized drugs and vehicles, targeted shops suspected of illegal sales, increased town-centre patrols and worked with partner agencies and schools. The six suspects remain on bail while investigations into drug supply continue.

West Midlands Police are seeking information to identify a man suspected of involvement in a jewellery burglary on Merryfield Road in Dudley at around 1:15 p.m. on June 18. Jewellery was stolen, and another nearby property was burgled about an hour later; police are investigating whether the incidents are connected. Witnesses can contact police via the website’s Live Chat or by calling 101 and quoting reference 20/331793/26.

A fire affected about 20 acres of farmland near Enville, Staffordshire, and destroyed a tractor. Staffordshire Fire and Rescue sent five trucks to Morfe Lane after the blaze was reported at around 5:30 p.m. By 7:15 p.m., the tractor and fields had been extinguished, with crews damping down the ground. Smoke was visible as far away as Gornal.

Firefighters tackled a blaze affecting about 30 metres of scrubland near Weddell Wynd nature reserve, close to the Bilston-Tipton boundary. The fire also damaged a shed and the fascias of an outhouse. Three fire engines and a 4x4 response vehicle attended, using three hose reels to extinguish the flames before confirming that no hotspots remained.

Preparation work for the new Waterfront Metro station at Merry Hill is due to begin in August as part of the 11-kilometre Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension. Works will include reconfiguring the Waterfront car park, overnight closures on the Embankment, traffic-signal changes on Central Way and excavation for the station’s lift pit and stairs. The wider extension has involved utility upgrades, track laying and streetscape improvements in Dudley town centre, with the second phase from Flood Street to Merry Hill expected to open to passengers in 2028.

An unexploded Second World War mortar round found at an address near Wolverhampton Road in Oldbury was removed by the British Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and detonated in a controlled explosion. A small number of nearby residents were briefly evacuated, while people near Warley Woods were warned to expect a loud bang.

A strategic review found Nuttall, a long‑established Dudley shopfitting manufacturer, facing unsustainable trading conditions caused by rising costs and long‑term market decline. Management has entered consultation with employees on a proposed wind‑down that could lead to redundancies, while operations continue during the process. Leadership cites energy and employment costs and increased competition as key pressures, with potential closure targeted for October 2026 pending final decisions.

Residents gathered at the Brierley Hill waterfront to celebrate Black Country Day with live music, performances and community activities. Local officials Pete Lowe and Adam Aston highlighted the region’s industrial heritage and community pride, while the Gentlemen Songsters choir performed a Black Country anthem and other songs. The event emphasized both historical significance and ongoing community spirit.