Nearly 150 back speedway

Nearly 150 people living near to the proposed Cradley Heathens speedway stadium on green belt land are backing the plans, campaigners have revealed.

The figure is higher than the number of signatures on an on-line petition against the plans set up by residents living near to Oldnall Road, Wollescote.

Campaigners looking to bring the back the team, dubbed the Manchester United of speedway, say it proves not all residents are against the plans.

Ward councillors organised a recent public meeting at the Wilson Hall in Colley Gate and claimed all 300 people in the hall were against the development.So far 136 people have signed a petition on the www.no-to-oldnall-lane-speedway.co.uk website, set up to fight the bid.

Cradley Raise Aid Saving Heathens (CRASH) spokesman Bob Edwards said: "It has been painted that every resident living nearby is against it, but we know this is not the case.

"Margaret Bytheway, who is in charge of collecting our paper petitions, recently collected a 60-name sheet from one of the local pubs close by.

"And our website editor Steve Johnson has counted around 80 people who have signed the on-line petition in support of our bid, who come from the immediate area."