Beauty spot clean-up hailed big success

A campaign to spruce up a neglected beauty spot in West Bromwich has been successful after overgrown grass was cut and weeds removed.

People living around the Mill Pool had become concerned after the site had been left to go fallow despite £120,000 being spent on it less than a year ago.

Town MP Tom Watson said he had visited the site at Mill Pool, Hateley Heath, recently with volunteer members of the Mill Pool Group. He said they had been disappointed to see pathways had become overgrown and damage done at the site.

Mr Watson said: "I asked the council to look into the way weeds and overgrown grasses have smothered the pathways and a number of overgrown trees.

"Last year there was a fantastic investment in this area and it just needed to be maintained to keep it looking nice." Mr Watson said he was now going to write to Severn Trent and energy company Eon, who both use the site for waterworks and an electricity substation.

He said: "The road leading up to the site is becoming cracked because of their vehicles and I believe it is only right for them to contribute to its upkeep."

Rosemary Morrall, secretary of the Mill Pool Group, said: "We work hard here.

"Ind in the last couple of weeks we have collected 17 bags of litter to help to try to keep it litter free." Sandwell Council leisure chief Councillor Linda Horton said: "Along with our partners we have invested heavily in Mill Pool and we are committed to its upkeep as a safe and attractive space for the community to enjoy.

"As a unique site which is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna it requires particular care when it comes to maintenance, which is the responsibility of the council, Menzies High School and Hall Green Primary School."