With less than a week until Sandwell voters head to the polls, residents in Wednesbury have voiced their priorities for the town's future. In a survey conducted with shoppers and workers, key issues included crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly dangerous e-bike and e-scooter riding, as well as affordable housing and council tax increases. Many expressed confusion over where their rising council tax bills are being spent.
Levelling Up Investment in Wednesbury
Wednesbury town centre has benefited from millions of pounds in 'levelling up' funding, which has financed new paving, lighting, benches, plants, and dozens of CCTV cameras. Local businesses acknowledge these improvements have enhanced the area's appeal and helped deter shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, but they note that challenges remain.
Ongoing Issues Despite Progress
Despite the upgrades, the town centre still grapples with dangerous e-bike and e-scooter riding, gangs congregating outside takeaways and off-licences, and an influx of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). One Union Street shop owner commented, "It's a very different place in the morning compared to later in the evening. I feel safe most of the time, but I don't like the HMOs. It seems that's all that gets built now—old buildings turned into slums."
Sorina Bahaur Lamb, owner of Blue Sheep Books, praised the new CCTV cameras for reducing shoplifting but noted that large groups outside shops remain off-putting. "It's definitely a lot cleaner now, with less fly-tipping. I think the council is trying their best, and I hope that continues."
Residents Frustrated by Dangerous Riding
Pensioner Helen Smart, undecided on her vote, described e-bike and e-scooter riders as "selfish," saying they use the town centre as a "race track." Retired postman Geoff, born and bred in Wednesbury, lamented the decline of the high street: "To think we had a really bustling town. Now it's the same shops selling the same things. The improvements look better, but what's the point if people don't come?"
Council's Long-Term Vision
Sandwell Council has published a 'masterplan' for Wednesbury, envisioning new homes, a boxpark-style venue, and a theatre and cinema complex over the next 15 years. However, this remains a vision for now.
Election Context
All 72 council seats across Sandwell are up for grabs on May 7. Labour has controlled the council for over 50 years but faces challenges from the Conservatives, Greens, and Reform. Recent polls suggest Reform could win all three seats in the newly formed Wednesbury ward, which would be a historic shift. In the 2024 general election, Labour's Antonia Bance won the Tipton and Wednesbury seat with 36% of the vote, but Reform is gaining momentum locally.
Candidates in Wednesbury include Paul Snape, Owen Nelson, and Jeremy Handley for Reform; Luke Giles, Peter Hughes, and Nicola Maycock for Labour; George Okpako, Evelyn Pessu, and Rafiullah Mohammadzai for the Conservatives; Mohammed All-Hasan, Jai Kaur Sandhu, and Eve Ward for the Greens; Richard McVittie for the Liberal Democrats; and independent Gina Patel.
Long-serving Labour councillor Peter Hughes, standing for re-election, won with a 500-vote majority in 2023. However, the political landscape is shifting, and voters will decide whether to maintain Labour's grip or embrace change.
