Artrix, the railway and Perryfields Road- This week’s Bromsgrove …

'I find the Tories Artrix claims disingenuous' IN THE April edition of 'Completely Bromsgrove', the local Conservative Party has placed an advertisement in advance of the forthcoming local elections. I consider it is being disingenuous in its two claims of 'backing our creative sector and the Artrix'.

Firstly, re Artrix, my understanding, and I am open to factual correction, is that from 2005 to 2015, it subsidised Artrix by GBP120,000 per annum and then from 2016 to 2018. it reduced its subsidy to GBP60,000 per annum. After 2018, all council funding ceased, and the Conservative Party was the majority party on the council between 2005 to 2018 and has been since then. It claims that 'working closely with The Holding Trust' - the leader of the council has been adamant the Holding Trust is independent of the council and is waiting for a business plan from it before it takes any action.

If now it is 'working closely with the Holding Trust', why has it not been doing so to 'develop a clear business case' since Artrix closed in April 2020, three years ago? Secondly, I am not sure how the Bromsgrove Conservative Party has been 'backing our creative sector'. Since 2020, to the best of my knowledge, there have been three cabinet members with responsibility for leisure and culture and when I spoke to one of them, I was advised the position had no responsibility for Artrix - surely a key part of 'leisure and culture'.

One of the members of the council's Arts Development Team left about 12 months ago and I don't think has been replaced. And, at a meeting last week of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Cultural Compact, which is a partnership designed to support the local cultural sector, as far as I am aware neither the leader of Bromsgrove Council, nor the cabinet member with responsibility for leisure and culture, nor the new chair of The Artrix Holding Trust, were present - although two of their counterparts from Redditch Borough Council were. So 'backing our creative sector and Artrix'?

I don't think so !! Nick Taylor 'More connectivity with the South needed on the rail lines'

WHEN Bromsgrove Station was built, the rail users were plied with the intentions of connecting directly with southern and northern routes. However the only additions have been the CrossCity Line. To commute south we have to go north to go south.

We need more connectivity with the south, and more so, with Worcester and Worcester Parkway. It would also be nice to have southern services to Cardiff and Bristol stop, but I guess that's unlikely. Denise Danks

Perryfields Road development THE PLANNING committee meeting on Monday decided to defer a decision on the Perryfields Road development to enable site visits by members of the planning committee and also requested that Worcestershire Highways officers visit the site to see it first-hand. It is to be hoped these visits are made without input from our own planning department which seems not to have realised the significance of the existing road before, and obviously not first hand (really best left to Worcestershire folk as they are closer to Bromsgrove needs?).

This is yet another show of lack of gumption by our ruling majority to reject the 20mph and chicane ridden spine road proposals which were edited by the developers from the original plans agreed by the independent Planning Inspector. Perryfields Road - like it or not - is a long-standing signposted Kidderminster/Catshill alternative through route which in addition to carrying a 30mph speed limit also has a national speed limit along sections of 60mph. How many roads in Bromsgrove carry that 60mph limit that are not designated as through routes?

The new current proposals, which amazingly were put forward for approval by our own planning officers, will in fact remove what little notable bypassing of the town centre is available to those living in the west of town and for those from Catshill, Fairfield wishing to go to Kidderminster without passing through the town centre. What is significant is that both WCC and BDC have over the years consistently time after time, no matter how often requested, rejected even the notion of a Western Relief Road. Any land for it is now committed to houses.

Now the council has also stumbled in rejecting the demotion of what little alternative routing we in the west have to miss the congested Stourbridge Road and Parkside junction. It would appear that our ruling councillors, loved up by outside developers, want to be remembered for allowing gridlock and insufferable pollution in the town and be the folk for years to come who will be blamed for the oncoming road infrastructure crisis. Graham Dallas

Bromsgrove Keeping in touch with others can have a huge impact WE know it can be difficult to stay socially connected, but keeping in touch and chatting with others can have a huge impact.

Conversations can create connections, offer new perspectives, teach you new things, boost happiness, and increase mental wellbeing. Which is why the NHS Volunteer Responders programme has reintroduced the Check in and Chat service, where local readers who would like a friendly chat or simply a listening ear can request a phone call with a volunteer, whether it be a one-off call or a series of calls. Receiving a Check in and Chat call is easy and completely free.

Readers in Worcestershire can organise it by calling 0808 196 3382 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week). You can also visit nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk[1] where you will find further information. If your readers would like a call, we are encouraging them to please reach out on the number above, or, to share this information with a loved one, friend, neighbour, or anyone who may need a little extra support and would benefit from a Check in and Chat call.

Thank you, Sam Ward OBE Deputy CEO at Royal Voluntary Service

EDITORS COMMENT WELL done to brave Cara Sandford-Ward for taking to the catwalk for Birmingham Children's Hospital. Not only will her efforts be inspirational for so many people with their own struggles, but they highlight an important issue many of us will not have realised existed - the need for special clothes for those with disabilities.

Anyone who has experienced BCH first hand will already know how it and its staff are so amazing and now it is leading the way in this important cause. We welcome your letters..... What pressing issues do you feel need addressing in Bromsgrove, Rubery, Droitwich and South Birmingham?

Send us your views to [email protected] or [email protected][2][3]

References

1. ^ nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk (nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk)
2. ^ [email protected] (bromsgrovestandard.co.uk)
3. ^ [email protected] (bromsgrovestandard.co.uk)