Back on Birmingham street dubbed 'Britain's roughest street' one year on, the dumped rubbish was unbelievable
Slade Road in Birmingham, dubbed 'Britain's roughest street', has seen some changes a year after being plagued by crime and rubbish. Discover what's changed and how residents are coping.
Last year, Slade Road in Stockland Green drew national attention for reported issues with crime, street drinking, and neglected properties, it was dubbed Britain's roughest street.
Residents at the time said they were living in fear on ‘Britain’s roughest street’ which is rife with £5 prostitutes, teenagers being stabbed and drug addicts ‘everywhere’.
Now, a year on, we examine what has changed and how residents are coping in the aftermath of those headlines.
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Since the initial reports last year, local authorities have responded with various initiatives aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour and improving Slade Road's general upkeep.
But concerns remain among those who spend their days here. Scenes of unbelievable levels of fly-tipping could be seen in some areas when BirminghamWorld returned.
Efforts to address problems persist, with official bodies monitoring conditions. Local groups still gather, discussing ways to enhance safety.
While some improvements may be noted, the street's reputation remains complex, reflecting the challenges faced by residents here.
One resident said that while some issues have improved in the past 12 months, issues of parking, fly-tipping and prostitution still persist.
He said: “The main problem is the parking on Slade Road, it can be absolutely ridiculous. There’s no room anyway, prostituion is another issue. There’s all sorts of issues - but it is just another road like much of Birmingham.
The main issue is the parking nothing can move.”
Leading the concerns today is the level of fly-tipping with one alleyway filled with discarded rubbish.
Britain’s roughest street - what was said about Slade Road last year?
Slade Road in Stockland Green, Birmingham, was said to be a hotbed of violence and drugs which has spiralled into decline over the last few years.
Locals said they were too frightened to go out after dark following numerous attacks, street robberies and drug dealing, which even goes on in broad daylight. People said they were also approached by cut-price sex workers peddling their trade along the street for as little as a fiver.
Parents were forced to drop their children directly at the school gates and business owners were escorted to the post office in fear of being mugged for their takings. Residents also say drunk people and ‘zombiefied’ addicts constantly roamed the streets and some are too frightened to visit the shops by themselves during the day.
They said the problem has got worse over the last decade and police are rarely seen along the street, which has been dubbed ‘Britain’s roughest’.
Do you live on or near Slade Road - get in touch at [email protected], we’d love to hear your thoughts.