ANGRY villagers packed out a Rubery village meeting demanding immediate action be taken to regenerate the High Street.
Residents overflowed Beacon Church Centre last Thursday (June 25) to call for council bosses to do something to reverse the demise of the village centre.
Coun Peter McDonald presented officers with a regeneration plan for the village which was developed in the 90s but never used. He asked them to revisit it and come up with a new up-to-date one so they could apply for a Government grant to help make it happen – the plan would cost an estimated £1million.
Residents then raised a number of concerns they wanted addressing including the lack of police presence, litter, public toilets, the state of the pavements and the neglect of New Road, the village’s main shopping area.
Claims were also made that Rubery had been left untouched while money was being ‘thrown around like confetti’ in Bromsgrove.
One problem raised was with the ‘dire’ parking issues on New Road. Council officers said they had investigated various sites which could become car parks but so far had been unsuccessful in finding one. They added they would continue to look at the problem.
Concerns were raised over the amount of charity and takeaway shops, with people calling for more to be done to attract reputable retail shops to the village. One resident accused the council of being happy to take their money through rates but unhappy to give anything in return.
Council chiefs were also asked to help set up a craft fair and farmers’ market in the village.
Another call was made to reduce the business rent rates in the area which, residents claimed, was driving shops away. Officers said they had no power over landlords and could only ask questions but advised owners to investigate rent relief grants.
Complaints were also made about the pavements outside the shops which, residents argued, were both ‘dangerous’ and an ‘eyesore’.
People were told the paths did not belong to the council but the shop owners on the street who had an individual responsibility to maintain their part of the pavement, in front of their store.
Calls were also made for more benches and a community centre for young children, teenagers and older people to use.
Jon Fraser, Worcestershire County Council’s Highways Manager, said: “I was asked to come here tonight to listen to your views and I will do what I can.”
Another meeting will be held on September 7 at Waseley Hills High School to discuss the officers’ progress.
By this time officers promised railings on the road would be painted and a new welcome to Rubery sign facing the Bromsgrove direction would be installed.
Rev Claire Turner, from St Chad’s Church, said any community groups wanting a place to meet or hold events were welcome to use her church.
