Garage demolition scheme continues in Woodrow

More Redditch residents will benefit from improved parking facilities as a further 13 unusable garages are demolished in Woodrow.

Newland Close, is the latest location to be developed under Redditch Borough Council’s public realm improvements scheme and work will begin on Monday 15 January with the demolition of 13 garages which are no longer fit for purpose.

Removal of the garages will create 13 more, much needed and useable parking spaces in this location, expanding on spaces already located nearby.

Following the demolition work, residents may see a fair amount of disruption as the garages are removed and the teams undertake a large amount of resurfacing of the area to develop the new parking spaces. Landscaping will also be altered with the aim of making the area safer, less of a target for anti-social behaviour and reducing the amount of litter.

Residents living in the area were consulted on the proposals late last year and the council’s contractors Kelbec can now begin. The scheme will take 6 to 8 weeks.

Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services, Cllr Brandon Clayton, said: “Incredibly, the garage demolition project first began 15 years ago in 2009 and since then the council have created hundreds of new parking areas, making a significant difference to the daily lives of residents right across the borough, improving the quality of the local environment, enhancing the look, feel, safety and security of our communities.”

Leader of the council, Cllr Matt Dormer, said: “2024 marks a significant milestone for this project and looking back, I must thank our officers and contractors for their hard work which has benefitted thousands of residents. There is still plenty of work to do however, and we will continue to invest in and unlock the potential of our neighbourhoods so that they are safe, clean, fit for purpose and suitable for modern day living.”

Since the scheme began in 2009, the council and contractors have removed 439 garages which were no longer fit for modern day use, making way for hundreds of new parking spaces, and improving the safety, security, environment, and quality of life for residents in these areas.

The council’s Public Realm Improvements Scheme is an ongoing programme to turn old garages, often used simply for storage as they are too small for most modern vehicles, into useful new parking spaces and other enhancements. Sites are prioritised according to their assessed need.

For more information on the works or on the garage demolition scheme, contact Matthew Mead on 01527 64252 3345 or email matthew.mead@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk