THE Cradley Heath and Old Hill Neighbourhood Forum is being held next week.

The meeting gives residents the chance to quiz the police, Sandwell Council officers and councillors about issues in the area.

Top of the agenda at the meeting, which is being held at the Salvation Army on Wednesday at 6.30pm, will be mounting problems on the town's roads.

Consistent parking problems on Valley Road were raised at the last meeting and Sandwell Council's highways department have investigated the problem and suggested a traffic calming scheme.

Chairman of the forum Councillor Barbara Price said: "The scheme has now been costed at approx £16,000.

"The next stage is to consult with residents and seek planning permission to remove the trees which is where the parking bays are to be installed."

She added: "The scheme is to be redesigned following concerns from residents. Depending on the design, planning permission will be required to remove some of the trees."

Residents also complained about dangers at the Corngreaves Road crossing as the beacons are not working leading drivers to miss them.

Installing LED lights between High Street and the railway bridge is being considered but will cost £30,000 and funding will need to be found.

A Sandwell Council highways department spokesman said: "A redesign of the pedestrian crossing is being looked into with the possibility of the crossing being reinstalled on a raised table to increase visibility.

"The bump in Corngreaves Road will be removed at the same time and the work on both is programmed to be carried out in March / April 2014."

The long-awaited crossing on Barrs Road will also be discussed after a petition was handed to Cllr Simon Hackett at the last meeting.

Other issues on the agenda include anti-social behaviour, fly tipping and licensing.