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Coun Rebecca Blake is consulting residents about the Edward Street area. Picture by Marcus Mingins 2413013MMR
RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on how they want a run down area of Redditch Town centre to be transformed.
Rebecca Blake, Labour’s Parliamentary spokeswoman for Redditch, has decided to kick-off the debate about the area around the railway station amidst rumours developers and supermarket giant Asda are looking at the site.
She is hosting a survey on her website to encourage residents and businesses to give their views on what should happen in the area.
Ms Blake said she decided to act after a number of people contacted her with concerns.
“The train station is a gateway to our town. Despite many recent improvements in the area, including the pedestrian access, landscaping and artwork more needs to be done,” she said.
“I am sick of the sight of the derelict buildings next to the station, on Bromsgrove Road and Edward Street.
“They give a negative image of our town and what’s more some of these factories are part of our industrial heritage, yet have become a complete eyesore. Last week we hosted the national bike tour and this is not how we want to greet our visitors.
“For all of my life, many of these buildings have been in disrepair and this has been allowed to continue for far too long.”
The Edward Street site, which contains the derelict Abel Morrall and later Clive Works needlemaking building, has long been identified for redevelopment. It is currently classified as a strategic site suitable for any town centre use ranging from offices, retail, leisure and residential.
The land has also been identified as a priority project in the Town Centre Strategy.
Residents’ views will be passed on to Redditch Borough Council for consideration in developing planning policy.
To complete the survey visit www.rebecca-blake.org.uk/survey or for a printed copy call 07529 964 840. Surveys should be submitted by 5pm on July 11.
When asked about the rumours Oliver Jones, communications manager for ASDA, said: “While our customers tell us they’d love to see ASDA’s famous low prices in Redditch, we don’t have any concrete plans at the moment.”
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