Backtrack over Bescot sleeper factory following major opposition
Rail bosses have backed down over a controversial bid to build a massive sleeper factory near Bescot – but people are still not impressed.
The scheme has been dramatically scaled back by Network Rail, after sparking outrage with its initial proposals for the factory at the Walsall and Wednesbury border.
The sleeper facility has now been shifted 500 metres away from homes, while a new link road will be built to ease traffic fears.
However, neighbours fighting tirelessly against the plans have insisted it is not good enough.
They believe it should be built miles away from any homes.
Retired legal secretary Carol White is part of an action group campaigning against the plans – and she said they will continue to fight.
“It still isn’t good enough,” she said. “It’s the pollution – it’s horrendous.
"There are seven schools within one mile of Bescot and the silica dust coming from the factory will be so harsh for children.
“It will create a whole generation of children with ill health in early adulthood, leading to early death.”
Mrs White added: “And there are all these HGVs that will be coming through the area. We’re not talking about one of two, we’re talking about 76,000 a year.
“We had a meeting after hearing about the plans and there was uproar. People are so, so angry here.”
The new plans for the factory involve moving it east of the original site towards Sandy Lane and Tame Bridge Parkway station, 500m further away from houses on Westmore Way – which would have originally been backing right onto the factory site.
Developers will also build a new link road that will take traffic to the facility direct from the A4031, to avoid passing any houses on Sandy Lane.
Vehicles will also be directed to the site from Junction 1 of the M5, while vehicles leaving the site will use the original route back to Junction 9 of the M6.
Rob Morton of Network Rail, said: “Bescot remains the preferred location for this facility but having listened to the concerns raised with us, it was clear changes had to be made.
"We went back to the drawing board and reworked our proposals so the impact on the area is even less than before.
"This is a vital facility for the rail industry but we want to do all we can to deliver it with the least impact on the surrounding area.”
Another member of the campaign group, Mike Lloyd, added: “Regardless of Network Rail’s plans to move the factory away from people’s houses, what is being overlooked is the fact that Network Rail are planning to close the perfectly viable electrified Bescot freight yard, whilst spending millions of pounds of tax payers money electrifying the rest of the country.
“Add to that the already over-congested motorway system across the country – we should be looking to put more freight on the rails, not take it away.”
