Tom Watson backs fight to block railway sleeper factory plan near Bescot station and M6

Labour's deputy leader and MP for West Bromwich East Tom Watson met with concerned residents to hear their plight and became one of around 3,400 who has signed the petition against the Bescot proposals.

The Network Rail development, which is set for the Friar Park area of Wednesbury, would produce 600,000 concrete sleepers a year and bring 100 jobs to the area.

But residents have rallied together against the plans due to concerns over air and light pollution, traffic, and the appearance.

Quality of life

Mr Watson said: “I am on your team. This is a community that is very very concerned about this development. It comes on top of other developments that have added noise and light pollution and increase very heavy vehicle movement that is affecting everyone’s quality of life.

“They have acted very quickly and brought thousands of local residents in Sandwell together to share their concerns and I share their concerns. As their MP I’m determined their voices will be heard.”

During the meeting, residents expressed their concerns and he advised them on the best way to go about campaigning and has written to the head of Network Rail.

More on the proposed railway sleeper factory

• HS2 to blame for sleeper factory plan as public meeting turns heated

• Fury over sleeper factory proposal near Bescot station and M6

• More than 1,200 sign against rail sleeper factory plan

He added: “I want to make sure that if network rail think they can put an application into the planning committee at Sandwell and get an easy time of it they are left in no doubt that won’t be the case.”

Campaigner Jenny Lloyd said: “We are please to have the backing of our local MP. The protest is just starting to gain momentum and Tom was really supportive and full of ideas.”

Network Rail identified the site that sits directly alongside the M6 just south of Junction 9 as their preferred location for the factory. A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The proposed, modern facility at Bescot will secure around 100 jobs in the area and deliver significant savings to taxpayers as sleepers will be made and distributed more efficiently. We are working closely with the local authority and want local people to be fully aware of, and engaged with, our plans so they can comment through the formal planning process.

“A further public event will be confirmed shortly and we will notify residents and other stakeholders as soon as possible.”