Tom Watson: Block plans for sleeper factory on Walsall-Sandwell border
Tom Watson has urged residents to block plans for a controversial new sleeper factory that he says will be "terrible" for the local area.
The West Bromwich East MP is campaigning against Network Rail's scheme, which will see a giant development built on the Wednesbury-Walsall border to create 600,000 concrete rail sleepers each year.
The plans have been met with mass public opposition, with fears raised over noise, pollution and congestion.
They were due to be displayed at the Banks's Stadium today in the first of two public events, with more than 1,000 protestors expected to turn up.
Labour deputy leader Mr Watson wants as many people as possible to attend. He said: “In all my years as the local MP, this is the most spirited and powerful campaign I’ve seen local residents run.
"This new factory will be terrible for the area – it will increase pollution, road congestion and impact on the health of our children and all local residents. Bescot is not the right place for Network Rail’s factory.
“I urge all local residents to attend these meetings and tell Network Rail "no" to their new factory.
"We’ve got to make our voice heard and these meetings are the place to do that."
The proposed factory will make 60 per cent of the UK's entire sleeper production each year. It will operate 24 hours a day with raw materials for production of the sleepers – concrete blocks that lie underneath rail tracks – being brought in on lorries.
A petition against it has been signed by more than 5,000 people.
Network Rail says the factory will employ 100 people. It has attempted to get residents on board by changing its initial proposals, moving it 600 metres away from homes and building a new link road to ease traffic fears.
Spokesman Anthony Marley said: "We are committed to working with the local community as our plans progress and encourage residents to view these new plans and send in their comments.”
Network Rail is expected to submit a formal planning application to Sandwell Council in May.
A further public meeting on the plans is due to be held tomorrow at the same venue from 10am-2pm.
