Express & Star

Emergency work at crumbling derelict Walsall shopping centre

Urgent repair work has been carried out on a derelict shopping centre in Walsall after fears were raised over "dangerous" crumbling buildings.

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Ravenscourt. Photo: David Morgan

Walsall Council carried out work on a collapsing shop front at Ravenscourt on Friday after complaints from a number of residents and councillors.

The news comes four months after plans were approved to partially demolish the site and build a two-storey development with two retail units and a gym.

David Morgan, chairman of Labour Party's Brownhills branch, posted on social media saying the news was a "small step towards the end goal".

He said: "Following complaints from residents, myself and Councillor Steve Wade a delegation from Walsall Council attended Ravenscourt on Thursday to examine the buildings deteriorating condition and environment.

"I am pleased to report that emergency work is being carried out on the collapsing shop front as a matter of health and safety. This a small step towards the end goal of demolition and regeneration of Ravenscourt.

"I have also received an email this morning from Clean & Green saying that the fly tipping onsite will also be actioned and dealt with.

Monitored

"We've been monitoring the situation since 2012 and watching it deteriorate over the years. Over recent months there has been a significant decline as it became a playground for anti-social behaviour, and lots of children climbed onto the roof.

"I've had to phone the police on at least five occasions in recent months.

"Some parts of the building are in danger of collapsing, one of the shop fronts could fall off onto people walking past.

"I welcomed the planning application but we've had many false promises over redevelopment and we'd like to see something come to its conclusion."

Tesco had been due to take over the site but their plans for a superstore fell through in 2014 and provoked desperate calls for Walsall Council to take action.

The centre has been disused for a number of years and fallen into a crumbling state whilst attracting fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour.

A spokesman for Walsall Council said: "Walsall Council building control officers received a report that loose materials had fallen from shop units at the Ravenscourt site.

"Following a visit to the site, council officers have arranged contractors to remove all materials that appeared imminently dangerous to the public. Work is not expected to take more than a couple of days."