THE underneath of a stretch of the M5 in Sandwell could be transformed into "an edgy canal-side happening of shops, cafes and bars" if a new plan gets approved.

Urban design organisation Made has earmarked a mile between J1 West Bromwich and J2 Oldbury under the raised section of the motorway to benefit from an artistic makeover.

Made is also looking for five Birmingham and Black Country artists for a series commissions to liven up the space during an taster day on Saturday, July 16.

Sally Robertshaw, Made community programmes manager, said: "The M5 mile is a concept Made developed as part of our vision for a Black Country Garden City.

"This is a section of land, under the raised section of the M5 motorway between J1 and J2 which is presently this strip of land is ignored, neglected, unused.

"In our garden city proposal we envisaged the M5 Mile could be an edgy canal-side happening of shops, cafes and bars in shipping containers, performance areas, boat trips, skate-parks and other attractions, in the unique and stunning canal-side environment under the motorway."

The commission is supported by arts collective Creative Black Country.

Miss Robertshaw added: "We are not looking for artists to create this but instead use their talents to enliven and transform that space for a single day.

"It is instead to give the smallest of flavour of what a place which is ‘taken-over’ by creative communities may look like.

"This day-long commission will provide a snapshot of potential of forgotten, neglected and unused spaces."

She added: "It will demonstrate the early potential of the M5 Mile concept."

For more information visit www.made.org.uk.