Councillor Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
(Ed’s note… this column was written for the January/February Erdington Local newspaper and first published on 20.01.26)
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
The world feels as though it’s on its axis at the moment, and I believe it is incumbent on anyone in public life to show moral leadership.
That is why I decided to delete my X account. This decision was not taken because I am against free speech, but because I could not associate myself with a social media platform that freely allows the abuse of another individual through the use of AI.
The work I do in Castle Vale has always been about social justice and equality, without fear or favour. It is what I have focused on for the past three and a half years, and it will always guide my moral compass.
As we move into January and the first part of the year, there is much to reflect on and much to look forward to. Park regeneration is about to begin, and recently the BBC came to Castle Vale and showed what an amazing community this truly is—something we have always known.
The latest IMD figures are now out, and I am over the moon to say that in 2021 Castle Vale was the fourth most deprived ward in the city. Today, we have moved to fourteenth. That is really good news. The statistics also show that crime is down.
There is so much to be proud of: crime down, cleaner streets, regenerated parks, a stronger community.
In 2022, I promised a cleaner, greener, safer Castle Vale—and that is exactly what I am delivering.
Royal Mail collection box on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph by Ed King
Words by Tracy Fisher
Castle Vale residents are still not receiving vital post following weeks of Royal Mail ‘service disruption’, with some not having had any mail since before Christmas.
But according to the Royal Mail, the Erdington constituency no longer has a problem with deliveries and has been removed from the list of affected areas highlighted on the national postal service’s website.
Areas across the region still listed as affected include Sutton Coldfield and Tamworth.
But missing post continues to have a serious impact across the Castle Vale estate – with residents not receiving important letters such as hospital appointments and offers of school placements, alongside parcels containing Christmas gifts and cards.
Royal Mail collection box on Castle Vale High Street – full of letters with / Photograph by Ed King
One resident, living on Tangmere Drive, told Castle Vale Local they have not received any mail for over a month. Whilst a further group of nine residents – all over 70 – explained they had not received any mail for over seven weeks.
Adding to local concern, the Royal Mail collection box on Castle Vale High Street has been left unemptied for so long that letters can no longer be posted into it, with the backlog so dense that mail can be seen bursting out of the slot.
Royal Mail has also stated that the ‘service disruptions’ of postal deliveries across the UK is ‘due to severe weather’.
However, Storm Goretti – the recent adverse weather that would have most affected roads and logistics networks across the country – only reached the UK on the 8-9 January, according to the Met Office.
Royal Mail van driving through snow covering the road / Photograph sourced through Adobe Stock Images
Castle Vale Local has heard further conflicting reports from sources at Royal Mail delivery offices, stating that whilst some lorries were unable to make scheduled deliveries due to snow and ice on the roads the delays are due – at least in part – to a lack of staff across the national mail network.
Internal sources have further told how agency staff have been brought in to work on behalf of Royal Mail elsewhere in Erdington constituency – alongside unbranded vehicles, and not official Royal Mail vans, being used to collected parcels from a High Street Post Office.
Existing employees at local depots also share customer frustrations, with one member of staff saying the disruption has been internally flagged up as unacceptable by staff and aimed at Royal Mail management.
Royal Mail post box covered in snow / Photograph sourced through Adobe Stock Images
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin initially contacted Castle Bromwich Delivery office “in relation to residents’ concerns about letters not being delivered”, recognising the delays in deliveries are “causing much frustration” across the North Birmingham estate.
Cllr Goodwin added: “I took it upon myself to go down to the [Castle Bromwich] delivery office to speak to someone.
“They said there has been a backlog of parcels and letters since Christmas and with the snow, they’re doing their very best to sort it by the end of the week (25 January).”
While there are reports that residents have started receiving some parcels and post, albeit dated from as far back as December 2025, Castle Vale Local has been unable to identify an official timescale as to when delivery issues will be fully resolved.
With Birmingham’s Local Elections fast approaching, and the deadline to apply for a postal vote on 31 January, the backlog of mail and delays to deliveries could also block those without digital access from being able to vote in May.
Royal Mail, now run by International Distributions Services, is owned by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky’s EP Group, following a recent £3.6 billion takeover.
Castle Vale Local has reached out to Royal Mail for further comment.
If you have any comments or responses to the issues raised in this article – or any other news from Castle Vale – please get in touch with Castle Vale Local reporter Tracy Fisher at: [email protected]
Cllr Ray Goodwin outside Spitfire House on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
Castle Vale welcomed the festive season in spectacular style as hundreds of residents gathered for the annual Christmas Tree Light Switch-On at Centre Park on 1 December.
The event, made possible through the support of The Pioneer Group and a number of dedicated local partners, was a powerful reminder of the remarkable community spirit that defines our estate.
The evening opened with a heart-warming performance from our very own Pioneer Choir, whose beautiful renditions of classic Christmas carols set the perfect tone for the celebrations.
Castle Vale’s Christmas Tree lights switch on event in Centre Park / Photograph supplied by The Pinoeer Group
Excitement grew as families waited for the arrival of our special guest – Santa himself – who delighted children and adults alike before helping to officially illuminate this year’s impressive Christmas tree.
This stunning centrepiece, proudly standing at the heart of Castle Vale, was generously donated along with the lights by Nationwide Windows and M&BG. Klassic Donuts added to the festivities with sweet treats that kept everyone warm and smiling throughout the night.
As the lights flickered on and the crowd cheered, it became clear that this event was more than a seasonal tradition; it was a celebration of togetherness.
Organisations such as Upcycle Birmingham, The Sanctuary, Castle Vale Community Environmental Trust, Spitfire Services, YoungStars Community Hub and Castle Pool Community Partnership all played a part in bringing the community together for an evening of joy, connection and pride.
With the unveiling of a special Christmas flag and more festive surprises to come, Christmas at the Vale is officially underway.
This year’s celebration stands as a shining example of what Castle Vale can achieve when we come together.
Cllr Ray Goodwin outside Spitfire House on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
October and November have been months of reflection, change, and community spirit in Castle Vale. As we move from autumn into winter, we’ve continued to see that spirit of unity and progress shine.
October kicked off with another successful Mobile Tip Truck event, helping residents tackle fly-tipping and keep our streets clean.
It’s always inspiring to see so many people come together, showing real pride in our community. When we work side by side, we not only improve our environment but strengthen our connections.
Community safety remains a priority. Following concerns about antisocial behaviour and off-road biking, I’ve been working closely with local police, housing officers, and partners to ensure everyone feels safe.
I’ll continue pushing for quicker responses and stronger enforcement.
Exciting news: the rebuilding of our parks will soon begin. These green spaces are vital to families, children, and older residents alike, offering places to relax and connect.
(l-r) Cllr Ray Goodwin and local veteran raise ‘Lest We Forget’ flag in Centre Park on Remembrance Day / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
On Remembrance Sunday we attended the Remembrance Day service at St. Cuthbert’s Church, which bought the community together, and at 11:00am on the eleventh month we stood together as a community to raise the flag and honour those who served and sacrificed.
It was a meaningful moment of reflection and unity.
As the festive season approaches, we look forward to the Christmas tree light switch-on and supporting the Christmas Toy Appeal. Together, we’ll ensure that every child in the Vale has something special to look forward to.
Castle Vale is a place of determination, unity, and hope. Together, we’ll face whatever comes next.
West Midlands Police have confirmed the rush hour chaos and widespread traffic gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas earlier today was caused by “a collision involving five vehicles”.
The local force also confirmed that despite the number of vehicles involved, and the busy location in which the incident occurred, none of those involved were “seriously injured”.
Reports came in early this afternoon after traffic on Chester Road was brought to a standstill following an incident – suspected to be near the M6 motorway interchange – that was creating widespread disruption across the area.
At around 5pm traffic was still at an absolute standstill, trapping hundreds of drivers trying to make their way across Northeast Birmingham on a Friday afternoon.
Incident causing major tailbacks and widespread gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Vehicles travelling along Fort Parkway, Chester Road, and leaving the Castle Vale estate were ground to a halt – as police tried to keep frustrated drivers calm and deal with the situation.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police told: “We were called to reports of a collision involving five vehicles on Chester Road, Birmingham, just before 3pm.
“Thankfully, no one was reported to have been seriously injured.”
They added: “Anyone who witnessed the collision can contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 3109 of 21 November.”
Incident causing major tailbacks and widespread gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Castle Vale reporter Tracy Fisher, who spoke to officers at the scene, told how much of the uniformed police presence was involved in talking to drivers who were becoming “increasingly frustrated” at the gridlock.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin was also at the scene and told Erdington/Castle Vale Local that he witnessed a BT Open Reach van likely involved in the collision, that was “a bit dented”, but that by around 6:30pm police were successfully moving the traffic and the congestion was starting to ease.
Cllr Goodwin also noted other drivers who were becoming distracted by the incident and putting themselves and potentially others at risk.
Police responding to gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Early this evening, whilst still at the scene, Cllr Goodwin told Erdington/Castle Vale Local: “There has been a road traffic incident [on Chester Road] and people should stay away from the Chester Road area whilst police deal with this incident and keep people safe.”
He added: “The traffic is starting to move, but not a quick as you would normally see. Can people please drive safely as well, as it could cause another accident.”
An incident has sent the rush hour traffic into chaos on and around the Chester Road by Spitfire Island and up to the M6 motorway interchange – putting hundreds of drivers in “gridlock”.
Cars and vehicles are currently locked bumper to bumper on large parts of the Chester Road, from the Tyburn Road roundabout right up to the M6.
The incident has also created equal congestion on Fort Parkway, with drivers leaving the City Centre now forced into a standstill.
Traffic coming off the Castle Vale estate is also backed up with pictures on social media showing lines of stationary cars up Farnborough Road and Tangmere Drive.
Incident causing major tailbacks and widespread gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Erdington/Castle Vale Local reporter Tracy Fisher was at the scene and has taken a series of photos showing just how bad the traffic jam has become.
According to her report, traffic was in complete “gridlock” and drivers were becoming “increasingly frustrated” and irate – with some “honking their horns” and shouting.
Tracy tells that police attending were talking to drivers to try and temper their frustration, but there seemed to be little movement or improvement to the standstill
She was also told by emergency services at the scene there had been an incident near the M6 interchange but there had been “no serious injuries.”
Police responding to gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photograph by Tracy Fisher
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin told Erdington/Castle Vale Local: “I would advise everybody to stay at home and avoid both the Chester Road and the surrounding areas as there has been an incident which has now caused gridlock – on the estate and surround roads.
“Please avoid leaving the estate unless you really need to, as emergency services deal with the ongoing incident. And our thoughts are with anyone who may have been involved in the incident.”
Erdington/Castle Vale Local has reached out to all emergency services for an update.
Incident causes gridlock on Chester Road and surrounding areas / Photgraphs by Tracy Fisher
Councillor Ray Goodwing (Castle Vale, Labour) on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour Group
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
(**Ed’s note… this column was first published on Friday 17 October in the Erdington Local print edition.)
There is a song for that.
September is always a month of change — the end of summer, the start of something new, and a reminder that progress never stands still in Castle Vale. This month, we’ve seen that spirit in action across our community.
We began with another Mobile Tip Truck event, tackling fly-tipping and helping residents keep our streets clean and tidy. It’s been inspiring to see so many people come together with real pride in the Vale.
When we work side by side, we don’t just improve our environment — we strengthen our community.
Community safety has remained a top priority. Following reports of antisocial behaviour and off-road biking, I’ve been meeting with local police, housing officers, and partners to ensure your concerns are heard. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own neighbourhood, and I’ll keep pushing for greater visibility, faster responses, and stronger enforcement.
There’s also positive news on the horizon: the rebuilding of our parks will begin shortly. These green spaces mean a lot to families, children, and older residents alike — places to relax, play, and connect.
It’s taken time and persistence to get here, but it’s wonderful to see our shared efforts turning into real investment for the future.
As autumn settles in, I’m reminded of what makes Castle Vale special — determination, unity, and hope. Whatever challenges come our way, we’ll face them together. Because here on the Vale, there really is a song for that.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin – standing on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
This past month in Castle Vale has been one of the busiest I can remember, but also one of the most rewarding. Every week has reminded me just how special our estate is, and how lucky I am to serve such an incredible community.
At the heart of my work has been the drive to make Castle Vale cleaner and greener. From joining residents at community litter picks to working with partners on environmental projects, I’ve seen the pride people take in their neighbourhood. That same determination is guiding our efforts to tackle rising energy costs, as I explore ways we can help residents reduce bills and make homes more sustainable.
One of the highlights of the month was the Castle Vale Community Festival. It was fantastic to see families, neighbours, and friends coming together to celebrate what makes this estate unique – its energy, diversity, and spirit of togetherness. Events like this show Castle Vale at its very best.
We’ve also taken time to reflect and remember, particularly through the commemoration of VJ Day. Standing alongside residents to honour those who served was humbling, and it reminded me how important it is to inspire the next generation of leaders here in Castle Vale.
It’s been a busy month, but if anything, the pace is only increasing. I know big things are coming for our community, and I’m determined to keep putting Castle Vale first – always.
Castle Vale Councillor Ray Goodwin – standing on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
As Councillor for Castle Vale, I’ve been proud to lead efforts that are making a real difference in our community. One of the most visible changes is the regeneration of local play areas—turning tired, underused spaces into vibrant, safe places where children and families can come together.
These improvements aren’t just cosmetic; they’re about creating opportunities for play, connection, and pride in Castle Vale.
I have also taken strong action against fly-tipping, which has long been a concern for residents. Through targeted clean-up operations, better reporting systems, and community engagement, we’re tackling the issue head-on.
It’s about restoring respect for our shared spaces and making Castle Vale a cleaner, more welcoming place for everyone.
But none of this would be possible without the incredible volunteers who give their time and energy to support these efforts. From litter picks to helping with play area projects, their commitment is inspiring.
They are the heartbeat of Castle Vale – proof that when we work together, we can achieve great things.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and even more excited about what’s ahead. Castle Vale is a community full of potential, and together, we’re building a brighter, cleaner, and more connected future.
I have promised to always put Castle Vale first which is what I will always do.
Cllr Ray Goodwin on Castle Vale High Street / Photograph supplied by Birmingham Labour
Words by Cllr Ray Goodwin
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reminded—again and again—why I’m so proud to represent Castle Vale.
Our community is full of everyday heroes. From the volunteers in our foodbanks, to the youth workers creating safe spaces, to the neighbours looking out for one another – you are the heartbeat of this estate. It’s not about politics, it’s about people.
I’ve been out and about, listening to your concerns and working with local partners to tackle the things that matter most: rising living costs, mental health support, youth engagement, and the need for decent, affordable housing. One issue I know has been a major concern is dangerous street racing.
Thanks to pressure from residents and our work alongside West Midlands Police and the City Council, we’ve have seen enforcement action take place.
I’ve also raised the issue directly with highways and community safety teams to push for longer-term solutions – because our roads should be safe for everyone, day and night.
I want to thank everyone who’s taken time to speak with me at community events, clean-up days, forums, or even just out on the street. Your voices guide the work I do. I’m not here to make promises I can’t keep – I’m here to listen, to act, and to stand alongside you.
Castle Vale is strong because you are strong. And as your councillor, I’ll continue doing everything I can to support a community that believes in fairness, compassion, and opportunity for all.
We are Castle Vale – and together, we are stronger.
