Council suffers a lack of vision
As a resident of the borough I would like to suggest what is wrong with Sandwell Council.
As a resident of the borough I would like to suggest what is wrong with Sandwell Council.
The first problem is the councillors; in the old days councillors did the job for the good of the community. Nowadays they're after self-glorification, although there are still a few of the old type there for the good of the community, thank God.
Secondly, planning is done with tunnel vision, not from a practical point of view.
Look at The Public. I am not against the principle but it is too large and in the wrong place. Its life-span will be five to seven years with regular cash injections from the local authority just to keep it afloat. Look at what has happened with its construction.
That entrance to Queens Square had OK Walker, The Sewing Box and a very popular cafe that was always full most of the day. They have all closed, and it has spread into Queens Square like a cancer and will continue.
West Bromwich is starting to die because of tunnel vision planning.
The ring road should be returned to a one-way system, as it can be a nightmare for both drivers and pedestrians at times. Although I have shopped in West Bromwich for years, many people and I do not go there now because of the way it has been spoilt.
To justify my feeling about the decisions made by our local authority, just look at the new construction about to take place at Burnt Tree.
The island it going to be replaced with a traffic light-controlled and monitored crossroads.
This is a major arterial road for the Midlands (A4123). When asked why a larger island could not be built, the answer is there is not enough land to build one large enough. If you look at the land they are compulsorily purchasing to construct this crossroads, there is enough land to build a very large island.
It could still have a monitored traffic light system, and in the event of light failure still operate as a normal island (give way to traffic coming from the right).
Please, Sandwell Council, look at the larger outcome of the decisions you are making.
John Melaie, Gilbert Street, Tipton.
