James Burns

More than 200 railway workers are repairing the line between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley after severe wildfires damaged signalling, telecommunications, drainage, fencing and vegetation. Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles visited the site and said the line was expected to fully reopen on Saturday, August 22, although passengers were advised to check for continuing disruption. Repairs include replacing thousands of metres of signalling cables, fencing and drainage, alongside safety inspections of trees, bridges and the track.

Stourbridge Rugby Club has temporarily banned smoking across all indoor and outdoor areas of its grounds following fires that destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 others. The club said the measure is intended to protect nearby farmland, neighbors and its facilities while police and fire investigators work to determine the cause of the fires. The club is also considering whether the ban should become permanent, while the government has separately announced a temporary ban on disposable barbecues.

A major fire that began in grassland near Racecourse Lane spread rapidly across fields and into homes around Stourbridge golf course, forcing residents and care-home occupants to evacuate. More than 100 firefighters attended, six people were treated at the scene and two were hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Officials said crews were making progress but warned that the emergency response could continue for days, while a town hall was opened as a rescue centre. Local and national leaders praised emergency workers, pledged additional support and urged people to avoid the area. A local councillor also linked the devastation to the need for stronger preparation for climate-change impacts.

A major fire that began on Racecourse Lane in Stourbridge spread toward the Norton and Pedmore areas, forcing residents to leave their homes. At least six homes were damaged and two people were injured, while Norton Road, Worcester Lane and Bromwich Lane were closed. Stourbridge Town Hall opened as a rest centre, and St. Michaels Church offered shelter. West Midlands Fire Service, which reported extreme demand, urged residents not to tackle fires themselves and to call 999 from a safe location.

A major grassfire near Stourbridge golf course spread across around 40 acres and damaged or set fire to several homes around Quarry Park Road, Ounty John Lane, Racecourse Lane and Stourbridge Road. Around 60 firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service responded, while residents were evacuated and urged to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed if affected by smoke. No casualties were reported.

Dudley Council has secured approval to install average speed cameras on Thorns Road in Brierley Hill following a long-running resident campaign and petition for improved road safety. The scheme, approved by the West Midlands Joint Working Agreement Board, will be delivered with the West Midlands Police Camera Enforcement Team and is expected to be operational by March 2027. The cameras will use automatic number plate recognition to calculate vehicle speeds between points, complementing existing improvements to signage, road markings and pedestrian crossings.

Warm weather is driving increased consumer spending across the West Midlands, where 53.4% of residents say they spend more when the sun shines, making the region the UK’s fourth-highest sunshine-spending hotspot. Common extra purchases include ice creams, snacks and refreshments, while 28% spend more on days out and attractions. Only 16% say sunny weather has no effect on their spending, and one in 10 UK respondents reports spending at least £50 more during each sunny week.

A ranking of five highly rated Stourbridge restaurants based on Google star ratings and review volumes. Kervan Restaurant leads with a perfect 5.0 rating, followed by Cofton at the Bridge, The Old Wharf Inn, The Bombay, and Stourburger. The selections span Turkish, Italian-inspired, pub, Indian, and burger offerings, with particular praise for service, atmosphere, Sunday roasts, curry, and sauces.

ICITIES plans to build a £9 million Planet Ice arena on council-owned land on Flood Street in Dudley town centre. The venue would seat more than 2,000 people, host high-level ice hockey and other entertainment, create around 50 jobs, and potentially attract nearly 250,000 visitors annually. Dudley Council estimates the development could provide a £40 million boost to the town’s economy. A planning application is expected in autumn 2026, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027, and the arena would be served by the West Midlands Metro.

Ryan Passey's family continues to seek justice nine years after he died from stabbing injuries at Chicago's nightclub in Stourbridge. Kobe Murray, who admitted stabbing Passey but said it was unintentional, was acquitted of murder in 2018. An independent review and subsequent investigation reportedly uncovered new medical and forensic evidence that prosecutors accepted as genuine and reliable, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided it would not justify an appeal. The family has begun High Court proceedings challenging that decision, while new evidence has been submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service for pre-charge advice. The campaign and former Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb welcomed the development but criticized delays in deciding whether charges will be authorized.

An 80-year-old man was targeted in a distraction theft on Dudley High Street. Dudley MP Sonia Kumar condemned the robbery as shameful, expressed sympathy for the victim and his family, and praised the community response. West Midlands Police are investigating, reviewing CCTV, speaking with local businesses and increasing patrols, while appealing for information about those responsible.

Wayne Wooldridge, 57, was sentenced to just over two years and six months in prison after pleading to a burglary at a home on Barn Close in Cradley Heath on January 12. Electrical items and alcohol were stolen, and CCTV showed a man leaving with a bag. Police released an image on social media, leading the public to identify Wooldridge, who was arrested on February 18 and later charged. He was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on July 31.

A five-bedroom mansion on Quarry Park Road in Stourbridge is being offered for £2.3 million, reportedly making it the town’s most expensive house currently for sale. The 4,209-square-foot property sits on approximately 0.75 acres and includes four bathrooms, landscaped gardens, a heated outdoor swimming pool, three reception rooms, a study, a conservatory, and a detached triple garage. Fine & Country highlights the area’s schools, amenities, countryside setting, and transport connections to Birmingham and London.

A severe fire affected a three-storey property containing eight homes on Bridge Field Walk in Rowley Regis at about 10:35 p.m. on August 3. Around 40 firefighters from Sandwell and Dudley attended, while police and fire investigators remained at the scene the following morning. Both sides and the rear of the property sustained significant damage, residents appeared distressed, and investigators had not yet determined how the fire started.

Dudley and Stourbridge recycling centres are unable to accept fridges, freezers and other cooling appliances because of a national shortage of storage and treatment capacity. Plant closures, a liquidation and fires at specialist facilities—including one near Walsall—have reduced recycling capacity for appliances containing hazardous materials. Dudley Council has invested £150,000 to expand its recycling-centre booking scheme, but appointments remain limited and must be made 14 days in advance.

Old Swinford Hospital in Stourbridge has secured planning permission to build a new reception pavilion and sports changing facilities. The development will include a modern reception area, meeting and marketing spaces, reprographics and IT facilities, accessible toilets, storage, and dedicated changing rooms. Construction is expected to begin in autumn 2026, with completion planned for 2027, as part of a wider investment in the school’s estate.

Police discovered a cannabis factory containing around 70 plants after firefighters attended a blaze on Brick Kiln Street in Brierley Hill shortly before 11pm on July 31. West Midlands Police said enquiries are ongoing and appealed for information, citing log 5983 of August 1.

Stourbridge MP Cat Eccles has urged West Midlands mayor Richard Parker to remove the 9:30am weekday restriction on free bus travel for older and disabled people. She argues that unrestricted concessionary travel would improve access to employment, education and independent living, while strengthening social inclusion and economic participation. Eccles cited Greater Manchester’s planned round-the-clock free travel from March 2026 as a model and said she had written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham about extending the policy nationwide.

Dudley Council’s planning committee has deferred a decision on converting the former Woodlands care home in Wollaston into one six-bedroom house and four affordable flats. The committee will inspect the site before deciding, following residents’ concerns about parking, traffic, the conservation area and the proposal’s long-term use. Councillor Andrew Tromans supports affordable and social housing in principle but says the development must be appropriately located and designed. The application will return to the committee for a final determination after the site visit.

George, a popular cat frequently seen at Stourbridge Junction station, has become an internet sensation with more than 90,000 Facebook followers and 36,000 Instagram followers. His popularity has led Olivia-Mae Creations to produce calendars, clothing and other merchandise, with the first 100 calendars selling out. Simone Carter, who manages George’s social media, said the range was created in response to follower demand and that George’s authentic personality and daily presence bring happiness to people around the world.

The Old Wharf Inn in Stourbridge has been named Gastropub of the Year 2026 by the Stourbridge and Halesowen branch of CAMRA, recognising its real ale and food offering. The pub, owned by Nickolls & Perks and open since 2019, also recently won the West Midlands county title at the 2026 National Pub & Bar Awards. Management highlighted its rotating beer selection, cellar management, line cleaning and stock rotation practices.

Roadworks at Oldswinford Cross in Stourbridge are scheduled to continue until August 31, with temporary parking restrictions causing gridlock and concern among nearby businesses. Shop and café owners say blocked parking and limited notice are hurting or threatening trade, while another business with rear parking reports no sales impact. Dudley Council says the restrictions are necessary and temporary, and that the project will widen pedestrian refuges, add dropped kerbs and tactile paving, and introduce MOVA signal technology to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access. The council acknowledges short-term disruption, while MP Cat Eccles supports the scheme but notes it will not include a requested pedestrian phase at the traffic lights.