Comment

Representation ID: 13470

Received: 08/09/2021

Respondent: Lee Walker

Having read through the very long plan I didn't find it easy to identify the actual short medium and long term benefits to my local community. I struggled to see how the plan focuses on how it improves existing areas like where i live and how my area will thrive and existing housing become more energy efficient which is desperately needed.

I'm concerned with the loss of environment and any green space. Even more so now communities need green areas for wellbeing and to be better planned. My concern is what the new housing is like and how it contributes to a healthy, thriving community. There's not enough detail about the quality of housing/infrastructure developments. Existing landlords across shops/town centres/neighbourhoods don't have enough empathsis on responsibilities to improve areas and keep standards high. All I see with this is how the majority of landlords/developers will make more money without being clear on responsibilities they have to maintain and help communities to thrive.

The roads/cycle network across the region and Sandwell are very poor. There's simple improvements at right turn junctions on main roads and waste that isn't and hasn't been addressed for years. Now traffic levels are returning to normal, road safety concerns me, especially around schools. We continue to see speeding and injuries around the area and increasing the population on the current roads doesn't bode well, especially given poor driving standards and speeding. Public transport isn't good enough to take the pressure off the roads. It's expensive, never the right temperature and you often encounter anti-social behaviour whenever I use one and now Covid has highlighted how viruses are transmitted this way I won't be using for a long-time.

Basically I worry there's a lot of detail (some good) in the plan but overall will it improve the quality of existing neighbourhoods/communities to thrive, protect the environment, regenerate poorly planned neighbourhoods that have sprung up across the region, review how existing areas could house people better (especially social housing & cheaper, affordable, good quality rental properties). Good to see tourism is focussed on but this will need signigifcant support/incentives post covid. If this region doesn't improve though and I dont think this plan helps; I will move area and I guess many others will too.