I’ve been to the Birmingham neighborhood where residents are begging for the same change

Kingstanding is on the brink of a major by-election after the shock resignation of their Tory candidate. Following the suspension of Cllr Rick Payne following his tweet scandal, thousands of residents will line up at polling stations today to choose from six keen parties.

However, before I cast my vote I decided to pay a visit to Kingstanding Circle to ask the locals what they hope a new councilor will bring to the area. Before he opened his mouth, the air could be heard changing.

The rumbling sounds of crushed stone rang out as Kingstanding Shopping Center was demolished – a key transformation as the retail space was the heart of the community and is soon to be replaced by a massive Lidl, which still shares views.

Read more: We visited the Birmingham community where shop owners are worried about the future

POLL: Worried about knife crime in Birmingham?

But the major issue for most in the area can be easily heard. Car horns and screeching tires signal one of the biggest changes locals are clamoring for – better traffic management in Kingstanding Circle, where racers and reckless drivers speed up and down, spooking the elderly.

Voters will have their say tomorrow, May 30, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Until then, here’s a rundown of the issues locals will be putting to the new councillor.

Paths

Pensioner Derek Knight, 80, who will be voting, said: “Apart from Kingstanding Shopping Center which we wanted to demolish, motorbikes are going around the circle doing over 70-75mph.

“When you have kids and people on the sidewalks, usually the younger ones use the road like a racetrack. I have grandkids and I’m worried about them ending up at the end of the trail if something goes down.

“You have to stop and check that nothing is falling, it’s health and safety. As a pensioner I’m quite mobile, but there aren’t some who come up here with shopping trolleys.

“There needs to be legislation to stop them coming at that speed, maybe speed bumps.” He added: “I’ve wanted Kingstanding Shopping Center to be demolished for years, it was a decent shopping center to begin with but it just got worse and worse.

“I’m all for a new Lidl and it will be a benefit to the community. It will also encourage people to use the local shops opposite too.”

Matthew Lumbard, 35, who will not vote tomorrow, said: “A lot of potholes need fixing and there is a lot of damage to the roads, the grass verges have not been cut which causes visual problems when driving. This road has speed. problem where people use it as a race track at night.

“You worry about someone flying in here and crashing into your car or your property.” Indeed, a car flew into a local man’s front garden on January 15 due to reckless driving, prompting a common complaint among Kingstanding residents.

Crime

Robert Valentine, 64, lives in another house right next to the mall. He revealed his pressing problem: “The police, there are loads of problems here all the time and nobody seems to be doing anything about it.”

He laughed as he said he would not vote and added: “I’m glad the demolition is happening and it will be better than it was. The only problem is parking and we don’t know if they will put double yellow lines here.

“It’s not a lot of trouble, but I want more police to go as a deterrent because it makes people feel safer. My lady will not go out at night.”

Youth support

Abigail Lewis, 26, has just returned to Kingstanding after moving. She believes young people need the most support. Opting not to vote, she said: “There are a lot of masked young people and you never know what’s going to happen. I’ve had people ask me “do you smoke or do drugs?” Is not nice.

“When you talk to the shopkeepers anyway they are friendly and helpful, the neighbors and everyone is nice around here. Only young people, instead of more shops, build more buildings where young people can box instead of carrying a knife.

“A lot has changed here. The pub had to go a long time ago and the shopping centre, I used to love the choice and mix down there. As long as (Lidl) can bring the community together so people don’t fight or I get drunk outside, I’m glad for that.

“There are a lot of single parents with kids and a Lidl there will be easier to get to than driving to Asda. You don’t want to be retired and not feel safe in an area taken over by people my age. “

Kate, who will be voting, said: “There have been a lot of bumps and dips in the road but Labor has sorted it out. Oh yes, I will vote.” When asked what problems she wants to solve, she said honestly, “I don’t know, I’m pretty content right now.

“Let’s put it this way, would it make any difference if we vote or not? Will things change? They say they do, but nine times out of ten it doesn’t whether it’s Labour, Liberal or Tory.”

Voters can go to the polls tomorrow, May 30, between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. The full list of all candidates is:

• Lucy Hayward – Liberal Democrats
• Pete Higgins – Birmingham Labor Party
• Patrick Christopher Lee – Green Party
• Kris O’Sullivan – Unionist and Socialist Coalition
• Naz Rasheed – Labor Party
• Clifton Frederick Welch – Local Tories

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