Newsroom

• Douglas Road Respite Centre, now called Willow Brook, has just undergone a £1.5m refurbishment.

• Improvements included a new self-contained flat, upgraded facilities, an added conservatory, and a wheelchair accessible lift.

• Carers say the improvements have gone a long way to support this lifeline service.

• Domestic abuse support charity New Era achieves nationally recognised quality mark for frontline services

• Given Leading Lights Accreditation from the national leading organisation SafeLives

• Achieving accreditation requires rigorous assessment process

• Inspection finds quick first response
• Strong work between agencies
• Work underway on improvements

• People reminded not to light fires or use barbeques on Cannock chase following two fires

• Second fire last week size of football pitch caused by disposable barbeque

• Visitors also advised to take litter home and properly

Investigation work starts this week on the A519 Newcastle Road between Cotes Heath and Mill Meece to help plan future repairs and improvements.

Crews will test the road, drainage and utilities over nearly 2km, with the main maintenance work expected in 2027/28.

Temporary traffic lights and speed restrictions will be in place, so drivers should allow extra time and take care through the works.

Staffordshire highways crews filled a record 4,750 potholes in July — the highest monthly total in the past five years.

Crews used dry weather and a range of repair methods to speed up work and improve journeys for motorists.

The repairs support the county council’s target to fill 40,000 potholes by March 2027, backed by an extra £15 million investment in roads.