Plug is pulled on towering Willenhall pylon

Residents in Chiltern Drive, Willenhall, have been plagued by the eyesore for years and the area has also been a magnet for fly-tipping.

Residents have regularly complained about dumped rubbish, discarded sofas and other waste material in the neighbourhood.

Last year residents approached Pat McFadden, the Labour candidate currently defending his Wolverhampton South East seat in the General Election, for help.

He wrote to Western Power Distribution who own the pylon and hosted a meeting between the company and residents. At the meeting he pressed the company to remove the pylon and find an alternative means to route electricity through the area.

The company agreed that the pylon should be removed and promised work would begin this year.

Preparatory work has now begun, with fencing being erected around the pylon. Western Power have also sent out a letter to residents explaining what is happening.

Mr McFadden said: "This pylon has been a blight here for many years and people have had to put up with a lot of fly tipping around it too. Its removal should increase the quality of life for people and shows what can be done when the community comes together to press its case."

Julie Friedl, of Chiltern Drive, said: "This pylon has been a nightmare over the years. At times we thought we might never get rid of it but we are so relieved work has finally begun to remove it."