32ft-high fencing at cricket ground ground
A cricket club wants to install a new fence and nets around part of its ground to prevent balls flying over a busy dual carriageway near The Hawthorns.
Officials from West Bromwich Dartmouth Cricket Club have revealed the plans to improve safety across the often congested Birmingham Road close to junction one of the M5.
They want to put up a 32ft high fence with netting to stop balls escaping from the ground and hitting people or cars.
The club currently erects a temporary fencing on match days but would like to see a permanent fence installed, which would cover a 82ft stretch of the ground.
The club said there had was not a major problem with balls landing on the road but they want to take action to ensure it could not happen in the future.
Club secretary Dave Davies said: "We thought it was prudent to protect this part of the boundary.
"We've got high advertising boards and conifer trees on the other side of the ground but there is no protection on this side of the ground.
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"It is more of a safety issue and preventing it being a problem. In about 20 years, I would say we have had two incidents where a ball has gone on to the road."
A design and access statement submitted to Sandwell Council by club officials as part of the planning application states: "The proposals do not seek to affect any existing access or views of the cricket club and are purely a safety consideration.
"The purpose of the fence proposed is to prevent cricket balls escaping during matches over the existing brick wall on to the Birmingham Road and hitting pedestrians or traffic passing along the roadway.
"The fencing will be permanent and will consist of wire rope and green nylon knotted netting fixed to green polyester powder coated steel posts.
"The netting will be situated inside the existing brick wall, the brick wall being approximately 2m high off the existing pavement. The choice of netting and posts has been aesthetically driven to be in-keeping with the green nature of the site adjacent to the conifers and the club house."
The scheme has been given the go-ahead from Sandwell Council allowing the club to carry out the work before the new cricket season.
