Dudley residents accuse council of 'not listening' as ‘trees are wrecking their homes’
People living in a Dudley street claim trees are wrecking their homes and the borough council is ‘not listening to their concerns’.
Residents of Newark Road, Netherton say they have been told their homes may become unsafe and they will have to move out because tree roots are undermining foundations.
The roots are causing walls and floors to move opening up large cracks while drains are blocked or collapsing causing problems with damp and mould.
Martin Smith, chairman of the Newark Road Tenants Community Group, said: “People’s lives are suffering, it is turning them upside down.
“There were people who were tearful when we met the other morning. We are getting nowhere, it is never ending, the council has told people they can’t buy their properties because of the issues.
“Communication is very poor, the issues are getting worse and we are getting very little answers.”
The cul-de-sac is a mix of council tenants, private renters and homeowners, the community group estimates around 18 houses are affected.
Mr Smith says tenants first raised the problem with the council in 2009 and a housing officer visited the street while the latest meeting with the council was in August 2025.
Mr Smith said: “They were going to get a structural engineer to come and have a look but they haven’t, the housing manager said they would have to move people out.”
The council’s current administration seems unaware of previous problems.
Councillor Ian Bevan, Dudley cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “Housing services do not have any recorded historical concerns about structural issues with properties on this road.
“However following recent contact from the ward councillor we are arranging a visit to the area, with appropriate specialist support, to investigate these issues further.
“Information gained from these investigations will be discussed with residents and will be used to inform any future required works.”
Meanwhile residents are left to live with problems they say have been caused by the trees which were planted by the council around 40 years ago.
Resident Rianne Marvin said: “The roots are pushing everything apart, they are never maintained, we got told to hold off underpinning privately because it keeps moving.
“In the summer the foliage makes it so dark you have to have the lights on all the time.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, added: “It’s like living in a cave.”
Home owner Qaisar Shoaib has gaps opening up between his conservatory and his house.
He said: “A lot of words but no action; when we want to sell our house the survey won’t pass, it’s our lifetime investment. It plays on our minds, it’s an impact on our future.”
Council tenant Rita Clarke had a retaining wall built to stabilise her garden but it has started moving again.
Mrs Clarke said: “I’m terrified I’m going to find myself in next door’s garden one morning. I’m assured that’s not going to happen, I asked them to put that in writing – they just smiled.”
