CRADLEY MP Margot James has described the town’s rundown blackspots as “scandalous” and vowed to help campaigners battling for improvements.

Ms James was speaking after members of the newly-formed Cradley Action Group took her on a fact-finding mission to see the extent of the problem of derelict shops and rubbish left by previous tenants.

The group’s top priority is to rid Colley Gate of the scourge of boarded up shops, abandoned by their owners, which have become an eyesore.

Ms James said: “It’s scandalous how these properties have been left to go to rack and ruin. The owners should have a duty of care to keep the buildings in a reasonable state.”

She said she would work with Dudley Council and the action group to ensure the local authority uses all the powers at its disposal to clean up the area and charge the owners of the properties if they refuse to clear the mess themselves.

The Tory MP added: “I will also investigate whether more powers are needed to oblige property owners and landlords to keep the buildings in a reasonable state of repair.

“It may be that the council’s powers need strengthening and I will look at that once parliament starts up again next week. The people of Cradley deserve better.”

Ward councillors Richard Body and Gaye Partridge also met with Ms James at the Laurels Club prior to her walkabout and action group founder Richard Legiewicz said he was hopeful that action would soon be taken to force the owners of the Colley Gate buildings to take responsibility.

“It was very positive, a really good meeting. Ms James will add weight to the cause and give it the extra push needed,” he added.

The next meeting of the action group will be on Monday June 3 at The Laurels Club, Windmill Hill, at 7.30pm.