Latest news with #West Midlands
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Solihull Council house swap tenant 'embarrassed' at state of new home
A man who moved 100 miles for a housing swap says the state of his new property has left him "embarrassed and broken". Colin Hanwell downsized from his home in Newport, Wales, to a bungalow in Solihull, West Midlands, as part of a housing association mutual exchange. But on the day he moved in he claims he was met with mould, cat litter and a stench of cannabis. Solihull Council apologised but insisted the process and responsibilities of each party are set out in advance. A mutual exchange is a house swap where two tenants from different councils or housing associations agree to move into each other's homes. Mr Hanwell visited the property six weeks before he moved in and claimed he had agreed on work that needed to be done, which included plasterwork repairs and a deep clean. But the 58-year-old said it remained in a poor state of repair when he arrived in early June."The day I moved in I couldn't actually get anything in," he said. "There was cat litter and mess everywhere." Mr Hanwell, who is on Universal Credit for health reasons, moved because he could no longer afford the bedroom tax on his previous home. The part-time gardener explained a Midlands move had made sense because his fiance lives in Kidderminster. But he said the process had left him feeling "abandoned" by Solihull Council's housing arm. He claimed a strong stench of "ammonia" meant he was suffering nose bleeds and itchy eyes, and he was "embarrassed" to invite guests around. Mr Hanwell said he had spent £800 to get the property up to scratch and believed the local authority should pay. In a letter seen by the BBC, bosses told him they were only able to provide paint and brushes "as a gesture of good will". "It has broken me," he added. "I sit here crying." Councillor Mark Wilson, who scrutinises the local authority on housing issues, said he believed tenants should be treated better. "It's unacceptable," he said. "Improvements have to be made. Somebody shouldn't have their health compromised because they're moving home." Solihull Community Housing said it was sorry Mr Hanwell was upset about his exchange. A spokesperson insisted utilities checks were carried out but cleanliness was the responsibility of the outgoing tenant. "Officers met with Mr Hanwell after he had moved in, following the issues he raised, and have investigated these," a statement read. "We are satisfied all our processes have been followed and have confirmed a date with Mr Hanwell for when the final repairs will be carried out." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Falling water levels affecting West Midlands canal network
Increasing numbers of canals in the West Midlands are closing, due to a lack of water. The Canal and River Trust has warned that dry conditions were causing problems at a number of locks, including Wolverhampton lock flight. It will close from Wednesday 30 July until there is sufficient rainfall to replenish reservoirs, said the trust. The measure was necessary to help protect vital water resources on the Wolverhampton level, which supports several other parts of the Birmingham Canal navigations, it said. "Whilst the majority of the network is open and fully navigable, there are currently restrictions in place on certain canals," the trust said. Other areas affected in the region include:Birmingham and Fazeley Canal - Minworth lock is closedCoventry Canal - Atherstone top lock to lock 6 has restricted passageRushall Canal lock is closedWalsall Canal - Ryders Green lock has restricted passageCaldon Canal in Staffordshire - Cheddleton top lock to bottom lock is closed Volunteer lock-keepers have been helping to manage boat traffic at lock flights "to ensure water supplies are used as sparingly as possible," said national boating manager Alex Hennessey. "Water levels are being reviewed on a daily basis and we will remove, or introduce, water-saving measures as necessary," he added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Tribute to 'caring' mum killed when car crashed into Coventry house
A woman who died after a car crashed into her house was "caring" and "glamorous," her family has Howard, 78, died from her injuries in hospital after a car struck her house in Coventry just before 17:00 BST on Midlands Police said there had been a collision between a Jaguar car and a VW van at the junction of Shilton Lane and Lentons Lane before the crash, and the Jaguar then hit the force has appealed for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at the time to get in contact. In a tribute, Ms Howard's family described her as "caring, sharing, glamorous, and stunning" and said she was "someone who loved life"."Dancing mother of Debbie and Julie, our best friend was taken in the most horrific way," they added in a statement."We love her to the moon and back."Officers spoke to both drivers at the scene of the crash and inquiries continue."We are urging anyone with information or footage to get in touch with us," a spokesperson added. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- BBC News
Coventry MP wants to see more road safety measures in city
An MP has said she is pushing for greater road safety measures in Coventry, in support of a family who lost their 12-year-old in a hit and run Slater was fatally injured when he was struck by a BMW on Radford Road on his way home from school in June Owatemi, the MP for Coventry North West, said since then the family had "been working hard along with the council to come up with new and different initiatives".She said with the support of the city council and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), a number of schemes were in progress, but more were needed. The Labour MP said the council was looking at a number of different measures for Radford Road, Beake Avenue and Engleton schemes would be put out to consultation soon, she said she was frustrated that "it has taken more time than I would like," but accepted a lot of work needed to be done.A 13-year-old girl was injured in a road collision in the city in June and the MP said she wanted to see more speed enforcement cameras around said she would also like to see better road safety enforcement and acknowledged "a lot of work has been done both in Coventry and in the wider West Midlands" by the PCC and the council. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
