Comment

Representation ID: 12799

Received: 01/09/2021

Respondent: Ms Rosanne Adams

Dear Dudley Council.

CORBETT MEADOW

We will never be able to retrieve the beautiful unspoilt areas still existing in this post industrial area if we lose them now. And we are only just beginning to acknowledge nationally (particularly thanks to COVID) how important the natural world is for the mental and physical wellbeing of the people who live here.

After World War 2 the government had a plan to fill in the canals. The canals were not in a good state and the Men from the Ministry could not see any monetary benefit from them. Thanks to Barbara Castle (I believe) and to the individuals who were determined this should not happen there was a canal revival. Local people set to clearing & repairing. This was true nationally and locally, when the Stourbridge Arm was taken on by people from the area. I have recorded an interview with someone who was present at the time.

The canals are now much appreciated and used for recreation, enjoyment of the natural world, holidays, cycling & walking and are a home for many different species away from the noise and pollution of the ever growing numbers of cars on the roads.

We must cherish our beautiful natural areas in the face of the endless push for more roads, more building space, more industrial units etc. We need them and so will our grandchildren.

Best wishes, Rosanne Adams