Station lifts derailed

Hopes of investment to pay for the long-promised lifts at Barnt Green Station have been dashed, but parish councillors are determined to keep up the pressure on Network Rail.

Village-made film gets premiere

The cast and crew of 7 Days, a film about Birmingham marathon runner ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley, celebrated the film’s premiere at The Birmingham Rep.

Library responses raise hopes

County council officers are “reeling” from public responses to the consultation on libraries.

Putting the people first

Independent councillors in the Village area have been delighted with the response to their appeal for candidates and helpers in the local elections on May 2.

New homes planned for village sites

Eleven new houses could be built on the site where Fresh@Burcot Garden Centre currently stands, if planning permission is granted.

Cross is Pub of the Year

The Cross Inn at Finstall was declared Pub of The Year 2019 by the Redditch and Bromsgrove branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA).

Gated homes ‘blocking footpath’

A new public right of way through the CALA homes site from Fiery Hill Road to Cherry Hill Road, Barnt Green, is impassable because of locked gates to some of the new houses, parish councillors heard.

Homeless choir entertains

Villagers enjoyed a concert by The Choir With No Name at Alvechurch Baptist Church, where the recent Christmas Tree Festival had raised funds for the choir as well as a homeless shelter.

‘One-lane road’ danger fears

“Dangerous” parking on Station Road in Alvechurch is to be addressed by the county council’s Highways department after residents and councillors expressed concerns.

Parish reveals barrier code

Alvechurch Parish Council voted to give residents of Meadow Lane an access code for the height barrier to The Meadows, in the wake of an incident in January and a “storm” on social media.

Agency ‘failing over tip’

The Environment Agency has come under fire for its “failings” over Marlbrook Tip from Bromsgrove’s lead planning councillor.

Dog mess confusion

Blackwell residents were left confused when dog mess left on village pavements was highlighted with brightly-coloured “chalk spray” in a parish council initiative.

Graffiti resists clean-up attempt

The “Save Our Fields” graffiti daubed around Lickey by an unknown activist dubbed “Tanksy” is still in place as the parish lengthsman was unable to remove it with white spirit, Lickey & Blackwell Parish Council heard.

Relief over road closure

Parish councillors in Alvechurch were relieved to learn that a planned closure of the A441 in Hopwood was “not as bad as it first seemed”.

Planning help

An initiative to give villagers a better understanding of the planning process has been developed by Alvechurch Parish Council.

Vehicle obstruction

Building work at the junction of Hewell Lane and Fiery Hill Road, Barnt Green, is causing a “major problem” because of workers’ vehicles, parish councillors heard.

Fence safety concern

parish councillors disagreed at their monthly meeting over whether a fence around CALA’s new balancing pond by Kendal End Road is safe.

Friendship for seniors

The Lounge café and youth project in Alvechurch has expanded its offering with a new project aimed at helping senior citizens.

Dance donation

A barn dance at Rowney Green Village Hall raised £760 for Redditch charity Where Next Association, which creates working and social opportunities and teaches life skills for people with special needs.

Molly meets Vinny!

Nine-year-old Molly Powner, of Cofton Hackett, was the latest winner of a Mini Vinny in our monthly competition.