Twitter unveiling for island

Published on May 28, 2010 by admin · No Comments

A sneak peek at a sign that will welcome thousand of motorists to Sandwell has been revealed. Bristnall Councillor Steven Frear uploaded a preview of the £30,00 struture on his twitter webpage When completed, the sign reading ”Welcome to Sandwell” will be 36ft long. it is to be unveild in full at Oldbury Birchley Island on June 16. The island, one of the main gateways into the borough, is next to junction 2 of the M5, with 92,000 motorists passing each day.

Sandwell Council spent £450,000 overhauling the island earlier this year, to make the borough appear more welcoming. A total of 235 trees and more than 2,000 flowers and shrubs were planted, using more than1,000 tones of soil, 300 tons of gravel and 400 tons of boulders.

The steel sign will feature images of Sandwell. Canal scenes, chain making and depictions of brick makers will be flame-cut into the 14in thick metal.

It has been created at Malthouse Engineering in Hainge Road, Oldbury and will be fitted together by six steel beams.

Councillor Mahboob Hussan, Sandwell’s cabinet member for improvement and efficicence, is delighted with how the work is coming together. He Said “We are really pleased with the work so far and really looking forward to unveiling it. “The plan is to put it in place on June 16.”

Since the spruce-up of the island thieves have already strolen exotic plants and shrubs. The spate of thefts as led Sandwell Council to install a new dome hawk camera. The stolen plants will be covered by insurance.

It is now hoped that one of the companies based around the island will agree to be a sponsor.