Today, whilst taking a spin around Brownhills to get some shopping in, I was reminded of a niggling, but serious problem in Brownhills High Street that has been ongoing for years. I personally have complained to Walsall Council, to no avail, several times. Both David Evans and [Howmuch?] have prodded me to feature this on the blog, so as soon as I saw this today I grabbed a few pictures.
The problem is that it only takes a small amount of rainfall for large pools of standing water to gather in the gutters at either side of the High Street, just by the pedestrian crossing in front of Knaves Court. The situation is so bad, that anyone leaving the building by that doorway stands a chance of getting soaked. The splashes are leaving mud and silt on the front of the brand new building, which is disgraceful. On the far side of the road, the spray drenches the control cabinet for the pedestrian crossing, often causing it to malfunction. Phoning the council several years ago, I was told the problem was that the button was stuck. The engineer refused to believe that every time the control unit was drenched, the lights turned to red. I’d been watching it do so for twenty minutes.
I’d like to ask Walsall Council when they intend to do something about this. Complaints have been made, and apparently ignored; indeed, the general condition of Brownhills High Street has been deteriorating for some time, with large potholes opening up by Silver Court, the Silver Street junction, near Ravens Court and on the central island, the surface of which is getting so bad that it’s becoming hazardous to ride.
It’s hard not to believe that cutbacks are not affecting road maintenance in Brownhills and the Walsall borough generally. I know that the Neighbourhoods team work hard, but Brownhills High Street really does need some love.
When it rains, huge pools of standing water accumulate either side of the road, adjacent to the pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians frequently get drenched by passing vehicles. 1:20pm, Sunday, 5th February 2012.
This isn’t a factor of the recent snow - it happens every time there’s even minor rainfall. 1:22pm, Sunday, 5th February 2012.
This situation isn’t new, and has been going on for several years. It’s damaging the frontage of Knave’s Court and causing danger to anyone using the front door. 1:25pm, Sunday, 5th February 2012.Anchor Bridge, Brownhills.