Emergency services' struggle sees Wednesbury road widened after 30-year fight

Residents in Hardy Road saw their worst fears realised two years ago when paramedics were forced to abandon their vehicle and go on foot to a house after someone was taken ill.

A fire engine attending a small blaze also had trouble getting up the narrow and steep street.

Now, work has taken place to widen the road, creating a slip road, after residents applied for funding from Sandwell Council.

They secured around £48,000 for the project which has now been completed to the delight of residents.

Valerie Burkitt, aged 58, who has lived in the street for 34 years, said: "We've been asking for this for 30 years.

"The road is so steep. It has become more difficult as people have gotten older but now it has been built up on the road side making it much easier for us to get around and get our cars up the road.

"It has been a real problem in the past because the road was also that narrow. We had a fire engine having to back down the road because it couldn't get to the top. An ambulance had to stay at the bottom of the road and the patient had to be carried down.

"The council has been really good and supported us with the funding. There were about 11 houses that were affected and everyone is delighted.

The residents received cash from the council's 'grot spot' fund. Some residents also contributed cash for new driveways so they longer had to park their cars by the side of the road.

Ward councillor Elaine Costigan said there had not been funding available to carry out the work earlier.

"I am really pleased for the residents. They've been waiting a long time for this. I'm really pleased we were able to get some funding to allow the work to take place. Everybody is very pleased and it's going to make a real difference to their lives, " she added.

Councillor Maria Crompton, cabinet member for highways and environment, said: "People in Hardy Road petitioned the council about the lack of parking spaces and difficulties faced by emergency services accessing it due to the layout. After consulting residents we have now put in a sliproad and access to forecourt parking which has improved the situation."