Main road through Tipton town centre to close for six weeks to allow for gas works and £1.5 million landscaping

Owen Street in Tipton will close completely for six weeks beginning on Monday, reopening on March 27. 

When it reopens, a 20mph speed limit will be imposed along Owen Street, which also serves as the main route to Tipton railway station.

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The work has been welcomed by Tipton and Wednesbury MP Antonia Bance, who hailed it as 'exciting news'.

"At the end of all the works in July, Owen Street will look much smarter," she said.

"The shop fronts opposite the centre on Owen Street will be upgraded in the coming months too. And there will be new planters, trees, seating, lights and signage in the Tipton Centre. And later in the year there will also be works on the former canal route that crosses Union St to make a new linear park for local people. This is all part of the regeneration plans for central Tipton - £1.5m of investment alongside building 70 new council flats for local people to the rear of the shopping centre on Union St.

A spokesman for Sandwell Council said the works represented a key milestone in a wider plan to regenerate Tipton town centre.

He said the project would transform Owen Street into a safer, more attractive, and more pedestrian-friendly route through the town centre. 

The works will include new street lighting, resurfaced pavements, tree planting and landscaping along Owen Street and the shopping precinct.

Improved pedestrian crossings on raised tables, also form part of the plan, while bus stops will be brought closer together for easier connections.

Town centre businesses will remain open as usual throughout the works, and residents the council encouraged residents to continue supporting local shops and traders. 

Access to homes and businesses will be maintained at all times, despite road closures.

Works are being carried out by the council’s appointed contractor, McPhillips, and are scheduled to run from 16 February 2026 until July 2026.

As part of the programme, Cadent Gas will also carry out planned works from February 16 to March 13.

A council spokesman said disruption would be minimised by carrying out as much regeneration work as possible while the road was already closed.

"The closure will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with ongoing updates provided to residents and businesses," he said. 

Councillor Keith Allcock, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: “These works will make a real difference to how people move around Owen Street, whether they are walking, using public transport or driving through the town centre.

“By upgrading pavements, crossings and street lighting, introducing a 20mph limit, we’re improving safety while doing everything we can to reduce disruption. Access to homes and businesses will be maintained, and we’ll continue to keep residents and traders informed as the works progress.”

Councillor Peter Hughes, cabinet member for regeneration and infrastructure added: “These improvements to Owen Street are a major step forward for Tipton town centre.

"We are creating safer streets, better crossings, and a more attractive environment for everyone. 

"I want to reassure residents and visitors that town centre businesses are open as usual, and we encourage people to continue shopping locally while the works are carried out. The long-term benefits for the community will be well worth any short-term disruption.”

The Owen Street works form a central part of the wider Tipton regeneration programme, which aims to create a safer, more vibrant town centre, encourage investment and increase visitor numbers. The overall programme is supported by £20 million of government funding, alongside investment from Sandwell Council.