Oldbwes two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Direct but completely road-pavement-based. As I walked the route, I thought it was pretty dull – but I hadn’t eaten for seven hours and was ready for my lunch! On looking at my photos, I realise there were some interesting buildings along the way, starting with some classic municipal buildings in Oldbury, including The Big House.
The Art Deco factory building opposite Sandwell and Dudley railway station (on the West Coast main line) was quite attractive. The rows of terraced houses during the welcome small detour were rather pleasing in their own way. The leisure centre had pleasant modern architecture (although at the time I walked past it had become the Leis re Cen). A little further on, there was a single, thin terraced house. The bus station at West Bromwich has some pleasant artistic diversions too.

Walked this 1.6 mile easy route southwards from West Bromwich today. It was the first part of a circular walk stitching together four routes around Sandwell totalling 9.5 miles involving Rowley Regis, Smethwick and back to West Brom.

No access issues, and paved throughout. As mentioned elsewhere, getting over Brandon Way next to the roundabout can be tricky as there's no pedestrian crossing and you have to time your dash to the central refuge to avoid the constant busy traffic.

The Railway Inn is about half way opposite Sandwell & Dudley station if you really need to stop for refreshments, although we didn't go in.

A good short direct route, but not a very interesting one (there don't seem to be any greener alternatives that aren't a lot longer). I have only walked the section from West Bromwich to Sandwell & Dudley station so far (as the final part of a long walk from Tamworth via Fazeley, Sutton Coldfield and Great Barr).

There seems little point in writing a detailed review of a route that just follows pavements, suffice to say that it is easy to follow.

(Update 20 Nov)
I walked the remaining part of this route from the station up to Oldbury yesterday as part of another long walk finishing at Bromsgrove. No problems, just a simple pavement walk with safe crossing points.

I had linked five Slow Ways to walk Walsall to Halesowen filling a gap in my waylist. All routes already had a good review so I concur that they are good or adequate plots. The surface is generally roadside pavement and crossings of major roads are mostly good. This is urban walking no stiles or cattle. Plenty of shops along the way but no loos noted however the routes are short if used individually. The review guidance asks "would you walk it again", my answer has to be, not by choice only necessity but I did enjoy the one off exploring and found plenty of interest along the way.

I found a few items of interest so offer them as encouragement to try this no frills Slow Way from West Brom to Oldbury. The striking Leisure Centre has some unusual bollards and a row of gleaming cycles for hire, which looked untouched since the picture in the earlier review. The youth of the town would no doubt prefer the electric scooters that buzz around Nottingham.

The break from the main drag offers evidence of early decorative promotion efforts from developers of the then new houses. I didn't see the football ground but the supporters club reminded me of visits to my grandfather and the requirement to remain silent while the football results were on his 12 inch black and white TV. I could almost hear the presenter's voice as my thoughts returned to that era which then skipped to a comic sketch by Michael Bentine, reading the results in that measured BBC voice, his excitement growing as he thought he had a winning coupon. It can be found on the web if you don't understand what I'm on about.

Oldbury appears to be the administrative centre of Sandwell, I wondered if at one time all staff were accommodated in the Big House now dwarfed by the massive office complex by the meeting place.

A fairly no frills but safe and straightforward pavement only walk between Oldbury and West Bromwich. Starting at the Oldbury meeting point, then follows the A road north past Sandwell and Dudley Railway Station and the crosses the roundabout to the left, cutting down the residential side street, Emily Street. This allows a short break from traffic and is probably worth the slightly less direct approach. When you rejoin the main road you are most of the way into West Bromwich and it's not far from there to the meeting place. The route is all pavement and there are crossings throughout. The crossing which requires most care is the crossing of Brandon and Kelvin Way but at no stage did I feel in any danger. Stops and shops are at either end of this very short Slow Way. Approved!.

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