Page 12 - HB- Ferny Hill Brick Works

Redditch Heritage Ferny Hill Brick Works

What Happened to the Works?

The brickyard closed in the early to mid 1960's and the area was eventually designated
to become a residential area. By 1968 one side of Ferny Hill Avenue had been built but
two pits were still open to the elements and there was talk of them being filled in. The
council at last agreed to this and by the end of 1972 the in-filling was completed.

The materials used for this in-filling was the ash from the burned rubbish from the chutes
in the multi-storey flats in Birmingham. A convoy of lorries continuously tipped their
loads into the pits and eventually soil was spread over the top. This later led to boggy
conditions and even more infill was brought in prior to planning permission which
resulted in the building of Ferny Hill Avenue and Marlpool Drive.

Initially all was well but residents started to complain of “vibrations” under the houses
and peculiar smells. Investigations revealed that the infill was rotting and producing
methane gas. To alleviate the problem ventilation pipes were driven into the ground but
for a long time residents could not buy or sell properties in the area.

Eventually all traces of the gas were dispersed and life returned to normal, but even
today it is said that some vent pipes can be seen in the gardens in the area.

Vicarage Crescent, Marlpool Drive and Coppice Close are now on the site and we expect
many residents have no idea of the sites history.

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