Latest news with #Tipton
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Dozens evacuated from their homes as earthshaking construction work for £245m tram line 'causes gardens to partially collapse and fissures in the ground'
Dozens of residents have been evacuated from their homes after construction work on a £245million tram line has wreaked havoc on their neighbourhood. Locals in Middle Meadow, Tipton, have been left with partially collapsed gardens and 'cracks in their lawns' amid Midland Metro Alliance's earthshaking work. The tram network had been laying around 6.8 miles of extra track as part of multi-million pound Brierley Hill Metro Extension, which would include 17 stops. However, according to enraged homwowners, works on the new tramline have ruined their back gardens by causing cracks in walls and fissures to appear in the ground. Some residents have even been evacuated from their homes, such is the concern over the potential danger. Around 10 houses have been impacted by the works, while over 20 residents living in flats near the development have been moved out. Ryan Kumar, who lives with his parents Gurpreet and Ash, has blamed the developers and their 'heavy vibration work at the bottom of [their] valley' for their ruined garden. 'They were doing heavy vibration and we noticed the houses were shaking and then we saw cracks appear in the garden,' he said. Now, he barely goes into his garden as he doesn't 'want to look' at the aftermath. 'When this all started, the first thing I'd do when I woke up was look out the back window and see if the end of my garden was still there.' First built in 2005, some properties in Middle Meadow are worth up to £450,000. However one unfortunate resident, who spent £40,000 turning his garden into an oasis, now could lose it to a potential collapse. 'I have lived here for many years and have spent lots of money on the garden,' he said. 'I would estimate around £40,000 to make it look the way I wanted. These earthworks are shaking the foundations of our gardens. 'The cracks in the lawn and the garden walls have got bigger and bigger so you can easily fit your hand in them. 'People living here really fear their gardens will just crumble away.' One local added: 'The flats were built in line with the gardens and they have been emptied because the foundations are unsafe. 'I know they have been moved into hotels while engineers investigate the subsidence underneath the building.' Construction of a new branch line from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill was previously halted by the Covid pandemic in 2020 but started again last year. The Transport for West Midlands who are responsible for the Midland Metro Alliance, said has launched a probe into the garden collapses. A spokesperson said: 'We have taken this matter very seriously and fully understand the frustration residents are experiencing. 'As soon as we were made aware of the issues, we began working with residents and specialist engineers to carry out an investigation to identify the potential cause. 'Some investigations are ongoing because the potential causes are complex given they include unknown historic ground conditions and developments over the years which predate the start of works for the metro. 'We have taken steps to mitigate the risks and we have supported residents throughout this process and will continue to do so as works progress with stabilising the embankment.'
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
"Our gardens were destroyed when new tramline caused them to collapse"
Residents in Tipton, West Midlands, say their gardens have partially collapsed due to vibrations from the Midland Metro Alliance's tramline construction. The £245 million Brierley Hill Metro Extension involves laying 11km of new track, but locals in Middle Meadow report cracks and subsidence affecting around 10 houses, with some flats evacuated over safety concerns. Homeowners, some of whom invested tens of thousands in their gardens, fear further damage as engineers investigate the cause, complicated by historic ground conditions. Transport for West Midlands is working with residents and specialists to identify causes and stabilize the area. Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
a day ago
- Climate
- BBC News
West Midlands fire crews remain at factory units tyre blaze
Firefighters have spent the night tackling a blaze that broke out in factory units and involved 20 tonnes of the peak of the blaze on Sunday, more than 70 firefighters attended the scene on Great Bridge Street between Tipton and West Bromwich, and several nearby homes were were allowed to return to their homes on Elwell Street on Sunday night, West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said, but five fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform remained at the remained there on Monday and police were continuing to manage cordons and access to nearby buildings, WMFS added. No-one was reported injured. The fire sent a thick plume of smoke into the air, with the public warned to stay away from the used a drone to monitor the scene and drew water from a nearby social media user posted on X that the fire, which started at about 10:40 BST on Sunday, could be seen from Bilston, about four miles away. Initially, the fire involved a single-storey unit measuring 100m by 100m, WMFS said, later confirming that four units were involved.A structural engineer has been to the scene amid concerns of a partial building collapse, according to the were called to isolate any affected gas and electricity supplies, with further investigations expected to take place on from National Grid, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency and Sandwell Council have also been at the scene. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Firefighters tackle ‘significant' factory fire blaze as 20 tonnes of tyres go up in smoke
Firefighters are battling a 'significant' blaze at a factory after 20 tonnes of tyres reportedly caught fire in the West Midlands. More than 70 firefighters have been at the factory on Great Bridge Street, between Tipton and West Bromwich, after West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) was called to the scene around 10.40am. Seventeen fire engines have been sent to the site, along with several specialist resources. No casualties have been reported. Members of the public warned to stay away from the area, as the fire has sent a thick plume of smoke into the air. One social media user posted on X that it could be seen from as far away as Bilston, about four miles away. The fire involves a single story unit measuring 100 m by 100 m, WMFS said. They added that good progress was being made in tackling the blaze, with support from police and the ambulance service. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire spreading and to contain the blaze. A drone team was on site alongside a hydraulic aerial platform and a high volume pump team. Local residents and businesses have been advised to keep doors and windows closed, as there is large volumes of smoke in the area. Representatives from National Grid, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency and Sandwell Council were also at the scene. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We have 15 crews in attendance at Great Bridge Street, Great Bridge, where they have responded to a Factory Fire. Please avoid the area, where possible.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Firefighters tackle ‘significant' factory fire blaze as 20 tonnes of tyres go up in smoke
Firefighters are battling a 'significant' blaze at a factory after 20 tonnes of tyres reportedly caught fire in the West Midlands. More than 70 firefighters have been at the factory on Great Bridge Street, between Tipton and West Bromwich, after West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) was called to the scene around 10.40am. Seventeen fire engines have been sent to the site, along with several specialist resources. No casualties have been reported. Members of the public warned to stay away from the area, as the fire has sent a thick plume of smoke into the air. One social media user posted on X that it could be seen from as far away as Bilston, about four miles away. The fire involves a single story unit measuring 100 m by 100 m, WMFS said. They added that good progress was being made in tackling the blaze, with support from police and the ambulance service. Firefighters are working to prevent the fire spreading and to contain the blaze. A drone team was on site alongside a hydraulic aerial platform and a high volume pump team. Local residents and businesses have been advised to keep doors and windows closed, as there is large volumes of smoke in the area. Representatives from National Grid, Severn Trent, the Environment Agency and Sandwell Council were also at the scene. A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: 'We have 15 crews in attendance at Great Bridge Street, Great Bridge, where they have responded to a Factory Fire. Please avoid the area, where possible.'
