'Lovely' Oldbury pool connected to historic canal 'blighted' by 'dog poo, rats and rubbish'

A member of the Litter Watch group in Sandwell has shared her disgust and anger over the decline of a “lovely” waterway that is now being ruined by rubbish.

Litter Watch is an award-winning community led charity, supported by Sandwell Council and Serco, to help residents tackle their environmental concerns and provide information and support to report litter problems.

Marion White from Langley in Oldbury has told the Express & Star that Tipton Pools, a waterway connected to the historic Tipton Canal, is being “blighted” by rubbish.

Marion sent images to the Express & Star, taken on Wednesday 29 April, showing rubbish on paths surrounding the pool.

Marion said that Canal and River Trust had “invested a lot of money renovating Titford Pool” and it is “so sad that such a lovely area is blighted by all this rubbish.”

Marion told the Express & Star: “We see a lot of it but today was another level!

“Someone had also fly tipped furniture over the other side of Titford pools yesterday (Tuesday 28 April).

“The Canal and River Trust invested a lot of money renovating Titford Pools, they made new paths and there is now an orchard full of young fruit trees.

“During Covid it was a sanctuary for many people to walk round.

“But in recent months the littering has just escalated, you have to dodge the dog poo people don't clean up, dodge the rats who are attracted by all the food and food wrappers discarded.”

Titford Pools is a wide expanse of water underneath M5 elevated motorway.

The Canal and River Trust calls it a “quirky surprise in the middle of an urban landscape” and is “a favourite with waterways enthusiasts seeking out an unusual destination”.

A Sandwell Council spokesperson told the Express & Star that the council has “invested significantly in the maintenance of this site and development of the community orchard.”

It said it visited the site on Wednesday and arranged for the waste to be removed, supported by its Serco and Litter Watch partners.

The spokesperson said: “Litter Watch exemplify the great volunteer spirit in Sandwell residents.

“We have also replaced a concrete blocker to prevent vehicles from gaining access to the area, helping to reduce the risk of further fly-tipping and littering at this location.

“It is disappointing that an irresponsible few littering and fly-tipping risk enjoyment of our fantastic open spaces.

“The council will use enforcement powers wherever possible to tackle fly-tipping and littering.”

The spokesperson added that since the start of the year the council has issued 20 fixed penalty notices for fly-tipping with a further 11 cases currently progressing to prosecution for offences and unpaid fixed penalty notices.

The spokesperson continued: “Where the council can identify individuals responsible for fly-tipping, they are subject to enforcement action by means of a fixed penalty notice of £1,000 for fly-tipping and/or prosecution.

“If any evidence is found that would identify the source of the waste (typically household waste), this will also be investigated and the identified householder could be subject to a fixed penalty notice of £600 for breaching their Householder’s Duty of Care when disposing of their waste, should they not be able to adequately explain why their waste has been found in these fly-tips.

“To report fly-tipping incidents in Sandwell and provide any evidence that can help with investigations and enforcement action, go to www.sandwell.gov.uk/flytipping or call 0121 368 1177.”