The Willenhall North Lib Dem Focus Team, accompanied by council officers and officers from Walsall Housing Group, recently went on a “walk about” on the Forest Gate Estate in New Invention reports Lib Dem councillor Ian Shires.

The object of the “walk about” was to get the officers to see first hand some of the issues which the Focus Team, working with local residents, have been trying to resolve.  Some of these issues are long standing and finding a solution  is proving difficult.

The “walk about” began at the large paved area alongside the flats in Brereton Road.  The main pathway leading from Brereton Road to Rugeley Avenue is uneven and pedestrians have to wade through the numerous pools which form each time it rains.

Many older people have contacted the Focus Team pointing  out that the unevenness of the paving slabs combined with the flooding make negotiating this well used route dangerous.  Last year, to add to these difficulties, problems with the grounds maintenance contract meant that the area was covered with weeds.

Officers have said that the problems with the weeds should now be resolved and are looking at what can be done to remove the unevenness of paving to improve safety.

Other issues which were highlighted included problems caused by some of the large trees on the estate along with long standing issues surrounding the Nissen hut which doubles up as changing rooms for footballers and storage space for the litter picking equipement.

The Focus Team will feed back on progress in resolving problems on the estate.  It’s fair to say that it wasn’t all “gloom and doom”.  There were many positive comments about the “Community Green” which makes for a very pleasant approach to the estate.