I visited Birmingham Road with my constituent Tony Gray on Sunday 6 August 2023 to discuss the new proposals for Phase 2 .   

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) announced "planned bus lane has been reduced in length to retain the at risk trees on The Green next to the junction with Springvale Avenue". 

Local residents were informed of a consultation on the new bus lane, proposing further road widening plans that will endanger trees and greenspace on Birmingham Road. I was made aware of this by a joint press release from WMCA and TfWM. As a result of a thorough search of the website of TfWM, WMCA, and WMBC, there was no information about the work to be done on Birmingham Road. I have written to Anne Shaw, Executive Director of TfWM, Andy Street CBE, Mayor of the WMCA, and Walsall MBC in similar terms: 

Here is my letter to TfWM :



TfWM is still proposing the use of the 60ft Sprint articulated bus which was withdrawn over safety concerns in London, York, Swansea, Bradford and Leeds and also in Dublin.

You can contact me with your views at [email protected] with the subject ‘Sprint Bus Phase 2’. 

St Michael's Street Car Park is the scene of regular flooding near the pavement which has occurred over the last 2 years. I wrote to Walsall Council to look into the reasons and to clear the drains. In their helpful response, the Council said that the main drain near the pavement is frequently blocked, and three of the last four inspections identified oil and fats as the primary cause of the blockages. The Council said they will work with Severn Water to check the main sewer, and once this work is complete arrangements will be made for a maintenance crew to re-attempt jetting/cleansing works. It was last cleaned on the 24 May 2023, but repair works may still be required if the gully or connection pipe into the main sewer has been damaged through the build-up of oil and fats. The Council indicated that they will work to rectify the problem as soon as possible and in the interim, will try to identify the individual or business responsible for discharging oil and fats into the gully system to ensure this inappropriate discharge does not continue. This is a public health issue.

Below left is my letter to Severn Trent to ask about their assessment of the main pipe, whether repair works are necessary, and what is the timetable for the repairs and right,  my letter to residents and businesses for information.

     

I am delighted to let you know that Anesco Ltd has withdrawn its appeal and the public enquiry set for 4 days at the end of August 2023 has been cancelled.

You will remember our campaign to stop the construction of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on Chapel Lane on the Green Belt. Anesco Ltd applied to build up to 28,  2.3m high battery units in open countryside starting in 2021. I called a meeting with Beacon Action Group attended by over 50 local residents on 26 November 2021 at the Great Barr Memorial Hall to talk through the proposals . The meeting overwhelmingly agreed to oppose the application. I wrote to the Chief Executive of Anesco to state the opposition to the proposals, that it was on Green Belt land, the Battery Storage facilities were not safe and Anesco had not considered alternative sites (see 'Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)' on 17/12/2021). There was also an issue with two applications with two different dates. After the extended consultation, Anesco Ltd submitted an 'Alternative Site Assessment' but no other feasible site was put forward.

On 8 June 2022, I spoke about the proposal in the Westminster Hall debate 'Solar Farms and Battery Storage', voicing my constituents' concerns that Councils have the ability to approve an unwanted application by bringing it to the Cabinet or Planning Committee without taking into account residents' views . In August 2022 I again wrote to Walsall Council objecting to the planning application, and on 1 December 2022 the planning application for the battery storage site on Chapel Lane was refused.  The Planning Committee acknowledged receipt of over 300 comments objecting to the proposals, including my letters and objections from local groups and residents. 

Anesco Ltd filed an appeal against this decision, which would have been heard by an Inspector in August with local residents ready to give evidence but they have now withdrawn their appeal and the public enquiry has been cancelled.

There was much hard work and research that went into this campaign from the community residents and Action Groups. It now means Grade II agricultural land on Chapel Lane, on our Green Belt, is safe and the residents who live nearby do not have to worry about an eyesore or fires and the nearby St Margaret's Church Great Barr a heritage asset is protected. This is a victory for local people.

You can find more information about the Campaign on my website by checking these previous posts: Chapel Lane Residents meeting  26 November 2021; Westminster Hall Debate on Battery Storage 8 June 2022; Response objecting to Battery Storage Facility 18 August 2022 and Application for Battery Storage Facility Rejection 9 December 2022.

IKEA 80 Years Anniversary, congratulations! My clever member of staff made it from the kit. Thank you so much for the yummy cake and Happy Birthday.    

A fabulous DIY kit sent to me to assemble a birthday cake. Great to have you in the constituency Wednesbury/Birmingham. 

Visit Britain held an event and I visited the drop-in event in the Atlee Suite on the 18 July 2023. Visit Britain showcases the countries’ rich heritage and provides insights into the diverse attractions that Britain has to offer. The picture above shows me with Patricia Yates, CEO of Visit Britain.



Visit Britain has taken a creative and innovative approach to showcase the diverse experiences that Great Britain has to offer through their captivating advertising campaign, 'See Things Differently.' With a play on Britain's love for tea, this campaign has is intended to draw in visitors from Europe, the GCC, Canada, and the USA. Through destination images, short films, and engaging activities, VisitBritain invites travellers to explore the country like never before, promising that there's something for everyone - whatever your cup of tea may be!

I am pictured with Nick de Bois CBE, the Chairman of the British Tourist Authority. I am holding a tea caddy with a special tea made by the Tregothnan Estate, Truro, Cornwall called 'Weird and Wonderful tea'.

For more information on the Campaign, you can visit the site here:
https://www.visitbritain.com/en/how-see-things-differently-britain-2023
You can also follow them on Twitter: @VisitBritain
And Instagram: @lovegreatbritain