A HALESOWEN councillor is working to get derelict garages on a Halesowen car park - which attract drug users and flytipping - demolished to create extra spaces.

Councillor David Vickers has been contacted by residents calling for the former Tibbetts garage on the council-owned car park in Birmingham Street to be flattened.

The garages have stood empty for decades and have become an eyesore, with reports of them attracting drug users and the dumping of rubbish.

Cllr Vickers says he has discovered Dudley Council owns 4/5ths of the garage and a private owner owns the remainder - he is currently trying to track down that owner.

Halesowen News:

Councillor Vickers said: "They have been derelict over 20 years - the residents are fed up they say they attract drug users and a lot of rubbish.

"Jean Green, who litter-picks throughout the town tidied it up - the garages look horrible they are boarded up but people kick the doors in - the area could be used to create extra car parking spaces.

"I have found out the council owns 4/5ths of the garages but the remainder was sold to McCarthy & Stone in the 80s as they were going to build a care home on the land next to the car park.

"That didn't happen and the land was sold on. Offices were built instead.

"I just want to get a bulldozer and knock it down.

"I'm hoping when we trace the owner they will agree to it being demolished.

"I'm working with Halesowen BID to see what we could put in its place.

"We could have electric charge metres in there - or long stay spaces."