Safety Fears and Littering Issues Highlighted in West Midlands Parks Consultation
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has launched a major public consultation to understand why residents are reluctant to use parks, green spaces, canals, and towpaths across the region. This initiative is part of a bold ambition to transform the West Midlands into the UK's first 'Outdoor Region for Everyone'.
In just one week, nearly 150 people have participated, sharing a mix of positive, neutral, and negative feedback about their local areas. The responses have laid bare significant concerns that are preventing people from enjoying outdoor spaces.
Key Barriers to Outdoor Access
Safety emerged as a predominant theme among contributors. Many residents expressed worries about vandalism and anti-social behaviour, with one participant stating that 'safety concerns' were the primary reason they avoid outdoor spaces. They emphasised that 'addressing issues of vandalism and anti-social behaviour' would make a substantial improvement.
Littering was another major issue raised. A resident who described their overall feeling as 'mostly negative' questioned, 'Stop people littering. There is a fantastic crew of volunteers who litter pick, but why do people litter?' This highlights a frustration with environmental neglect despite community efforts.
Poor facilities and development pressures also featured prominently. One contributor with a 'negative' view noted that 'the new developers hate green spaces,' lamenting, 'Terrible what's happening with the new developments. Only cement.' This reflects concerns over urban encroachment reducing natural areas.
Positive Suggestions for Improvement
Despite the challenges, many residents offered constructive ideas to enhance outdoor spaces. Suggestions included:
- Increasing police presence to boost safety and deter crime.
- Widening and weather-proofing canal towpaths to accommodate walkers and cyclists year-round, with one person highlighting, 'Birmingham has more canals than Venice so it is possible to cycle almost anywhere using tow paths.'
- Connecting cycle paths to prevent sudden endings that create unsafe environments, as noted by a resident who said, 'Join up cycle paths instead of them suddenly ending resulting in unsafe environment with aggressive car drivers.'
WMCA's Vision for an Inclusive Outdoor Region
The WMCA emphasised that the West Midlands is home to over 11,000 hectares of parks and green spaces, along with more than 340 miles of canals and towpaths. The authority aims to make these assets integral to daily life for all residents.
'We're launching a new public engagement to help shape our ambition for the West Midlands as the UK's First Outdoor Region for Everyone,' a spokesperson stated. 'A connected region where being outdoors, feeling safe, and being part of your local community helps make the West Midlands a great place to live, work and visit.'
At the core of this effort is a fundamental question: 'Can better access to safe, attractive and connected outdoor spaces improve wellbeing, belonging and quality of life, so that every resident can see and feel the difference when they step outside their front door?'
Focus on Underrepresented Communities
The consultation specifically targets individuals and communities who currently underuse parks and green spaces. This includes residents facing barriers related to income, ethnicity, disability, age, or location. The WMCA plans to collaborate with community organisations to gather diverse experiences and ideas, aiming to reduce inequalities and strengthen connections to nature and community.
By addressing these issues, the WMCA hopes to foster a more inclusive and accessible outdoor environment, ultimately enhancing the quality of life across the West Midlands.
