Sandwell’s Broken Basics – And the Complaint They Couldn’t Ignore

 

Sandwell’s Broken Basics – And the Complaint They Couldn’t Ignore

So… after months (years, actually) of overflowing bins, cracked pavements that resemble archaeological digs, broken streetlights that double as props from a post-apocalyptic film set, and blue recycling bags that only recycle misery, residents across Sandwell finally did it — we lodged a formal complaint directly with the Council Leader and Chief Executive.

Not a ward-level gripe.
Not a grumble.
A borough-wide, evidence-backed, residents’-voiced complaint spelling out exactly how far Sandwell has slipped.

And fair play… since the first wave of complaints went in, Sandwell Council has suddenly launched Deep Clean “Hit Squads.”
Now, I’m not saying it’s because of me —
but let’s just say the timing is…
remarkable.
#JustSaying #CoincidenceOrNot

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A Borough Running on Excuses Instead of Action

Let’s recap the state of play. Residents have been raising the same issues on repeat:

• Fortnightly bins overflowing like a landfill-on-wheels

• Blue cardboard bags turning to papier-mâché every time it drizzles

• Pavements cracked, weed-choked and unsafe

• Drains smelling like they’ve given up on life

• Streetlights stuck in “eternal night mode”

• Roundabouts stripped of flowers, colour and civic pride

• Parking chaos with pavements turned into unofficial car parks

And while this is happening, we’re told everything is fine, manageable, or my favourite one —
“being monitored.”

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The Recycling System That Doesn’t Even Recycle

Let’s start with the blue “recycling” bags — the ones that are supposed to hold cardboard but actually just hold water.

Every national recycling authority says the same thing:

💧 Wet cardboard = Not recyclable.

But here in Sandwell, we’re apparently meant to pretend that physics doesn’t apply.

It’s not the residents causing contamination —
it’s the system.

So yes, the complaint calls for proper lidded recycling bins. It’s not revolutionary. It’s common sense.
#WasteManagementFail

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Public Infrastructure: A Slow-Motion Collapse

Across all six towns, residents report the same things:

• Pavements crumbling

• Weeds knee-high

• Streetlights dark for months

• Drains blocked and ignored

• Grass verges destroyed

This isn’t maintenance.
This is managed decline.

We don’t need more “monitoring.”
We need actual, proactive inspections.
#FixSandwell

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Green Spaces & Civic Pride: Missing, Presumed Dead

Sandwell’s green spaces used to mean something.
Roundabouts were colourful. Parks were tidy. Beds were planted. There was pride.

Now?
Many spaces look abandoned.

Residents want those standards back — not abstract speeches about “Civic Pride” while the physical reality collapses in front of us.
#BringBackCivicPride

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Traffic & LTNs: The Red Herring We’re Not Falling For

Residents rightly worry that congestion and parking chaos will be used as an excuse to push LTNs or “active travel experiments” no one wants, uses or benefits from.

Sandwell doesn’t need copy-and-paste ideas from other councils that already tried and failed.

We need practical, evidence-based, resident-led solutions.
#NoToLTNs #CommonSenseFirst

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Consultation & Transparency: Or the Lack Of It

Residents repeatedly say the same thing:

• Consultations feel predetermined

• Impact assessments go missing

• Long-term contracts lack transparency

• Responses read like they were written for someone else

People simply don’t feel heard.

The complaint demands better.
And frankly, so it should.
#AccountabilityMatters

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The Formal Complaint — What We Asked For

The residents’ complaint asks for:

✔ Review of fortnightly collections
✔ Replacement of blue bags with proper recycling bins
✔ Routine inspections of pavements, drains, verges & lighting
✔ Restoration of planting & Civic Pride
✔ Practical traffic solutions, not LTNs
✔ More transparency, especially around contractor performance

And it’s all framed positively.
Constructively.
Fairly.
No threats.
Just a request for the council to do the basics, properly.

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And Suddenly… Deep Clean Hit Squads Appear

Again, not saying it’s linked.
Not saying it’s a direct response.
Not pointing fingers.

But after months of quiet —
👉 Deep Clean Hit Squads arrive
👉 Social media posts celebrating sparkling streets
👉 Quick wins suddenly popping up

Coincidence?
Maybe.
But let’s just say the timing did not go unnoticed.
#TimingIsEverything #FunnyThat

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What Comes Next?

A full response has been requested from the leadership.
Residents have made it clear that if nothing improves, further escalation may be considered — sensibly, calmly, constructively.

But the message is simple:

Sandwell wants better.
Sandwell deserves better.
And Sandwell is speaking up.

#Sandwell #SandwellCouncil #CommunityVoice #PublicServices #WasteManagement #Recycling #BlueBagFail #SandwellStreets #CivicPride #FixSandwell #LTNs #NoToLTNs #ResidentsAction #DeepCleanHitSquads #LocalGovernment #Accountability