Margaret Jones

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newsletter Jan 25

Major works in Lichfield…fixing more roads in Lichfield District

February 2025
Welcome to your latest Highways Update for the Lichfield District

A new way to report highways issues
The way you can report potholes and other highways issues in the Lichfield district has been completely revamped.

The county council’s ReportIt system has undergone a transformation to make it easier for residents to report highways issues.

The new system is more user friendly, and gives people the option of having their own account where they can track the progress of their reported issue.

In response to customer feedback, people can also now report the condition of a whole road, and the language has been made much simpler.

The system has taken a year to develop, and although it has been tested extensively, the county council is inviting people to provide feedback that will further shape the system.

Reports made to the previous ReportIt system have been transferred over, so there is no need for people to make a new report.

Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Strategic Highways Mark Deaville said: “This system has taken over a year to develop, and I hope it will make things easier for residents who want to report an issue on Staffordshire’s highways. This work is a really important part of our ongoing mission to fix more roads and improve customer satisfaction.”

Bowling Green
New crossings will improve safety on busy Lichfield roundabout
Work to install two new crossings to aid pedestrians and cyclists on a busy roundabout junction in Lichfield has begun.

The six-week scheme will see a new pedestrian crossing installed on the southern section of the Bowling Green roundabout close to Friary Road. A pedestrian/cyclist crossing will also be installed on Friary Road near the junction approach.

It’s an entirely developer-funded project and includes new road markings, signals, signage, resurfacing and improved footways with tactile paving installed. So work can be carried out safely, temporary traffic management will be in operation throughout the scheme and include lane closures and some overnight closures for surfacing.

When this scheme has been completed, the team will move on to Cappers Lane at the roundabout junction with Europa Way and Austin Cote Lane, where new non-signalled crossing points will be installed on both the Cappers Lane northbound approach to the junction and on the approach to the junction on Europa Way. This will start in mid-March and be completed by 1 May.

Both schemes are funded by Persimmon Homes.

People can find out more by visiting the scheme webpage.

resurfacing
Major junction works in Lichfield under way
A major upgrade to a main road junction in Lichfield to provide access to a new housing development is now under way.

The nine-month developer-funded scheme will see the A5192 Eastern Avenue junction with Watery Lane upgraded to include additional lanes, new traffic lights, road resurfacing, new and improved paths, signs and road markings and improved drainage. It began on Monday 27 January and is scheduled for completion in late November.

So that work to be carried out safely and as quickly as possible, traffic management will be in place throughout the scheme. Details will be publicised as the project progresses, but this will include temporary signals, lane closures and some road closures.

The improved junction will enable safe and improved access onto Watery Lane and the new Redrow Homes Curborough Lakes development, which will have nearly 470 properties. Plans for more housing on adjacent land are expected to be submitted this year.

People can find out more at the scheme webpage under the Lichfield roadworks section of the county council’s website.

For any enquiries about the scheme, people should contact: mevans@mcphillips.co.uk

Sainte Foy Avenue
Environmental works completed
Throughout January, our environmental teams have been out and about tidying up spaces. This includes:

Gorse Lane – hedges were trimmed back and pavements cleared
Plantation Lane – crews thoroughly cleaned the pavement to remove all weeds and detritus from opposite the hospital
Sainte Foy Avenue – pavements were cleaned, weeds were treated and the overgrown grass verge was cut back (see pictures)
Upcoming works…
Works continuing or coming up over the next few months include:

S278 Watery Lane, Lichfield
A515 Lichfield Road, Lichfield
Click here for the latest works
Robert Pritchard
I want to take the time to thank you for your patience whilst these important works take place.

We are delivering a huge repair programme that will see us double down on fixing more roads across Staffordshire.

We understand that road works can cause inconvenience but they are necessary to maintain and improve our highways network. Please be assured that our crews will continue to do their best to reduce disruption as much as possible.

Our gritting crews will also be on hand throughout the winter months to grit the roads, clear any snow or storm debris, and keep everyone moving.

County Councillor Rob Pritchard

Cabinet Support Member for Highways South

A training session was held on 20th February at Edingale Village Hall run by Have a Heart on CPR and familiarisation in using an AED (defibrillator).

The presentation explained about common heart conditions and the appropriate action if heart problems occur, followed by a detailed demonstration and instruction on how to do CPR and how to use an AED. This was then followed by attendees having a go for themselves so they would feel confident in doing CPR or using a defibrillator to save someone’s life. The trainer Keith explained that you can’t do any harm by doing CPR but you could by not doing anything to help. If you think someone has suffered a cardiac arrest (not breathing or responding) ring 999 and they will talk you through what to do until an ambulance can reach you.

The defibrillators in Edingale were paid for and are maintained by the Parish Council, who replace the battery and pads when needed. The locations are recorded on a database that the 999 call handler can access. They are on the front wall of the Village Hall and opposite the former Black Horse.If you call 999 about a suspected heart attack they will tell you were the nearest one can be found.

Many more have been provided by Have a Heart Tamworth and a location map can be found on their website https://tamworthhaveaheart.com/

The Parish Council would like to ask all dog owners to keep their pets under control while in the public areas and paths around the village. Only a minority are causing a problem but we’ve had recent reports about out of control dogs.
A villager had her small dog jumped on by a larger dog which also jumped on her while she was trying to protect her pet, which was very upsetting. The larger dog’s owner wasn’t even aware of what it was doing. We have heard of similar local incidents when dogs and even sheep have been chased by out of control dogs.
Please use a lead if possible unless you are sure your dog will come back to you when called, and please keep it near you and within sight at all times. It is against the law to have an out of control dog in a public place. If you are heading to the fields please keep your dog on its lead until you get there.

We’d also like to remind owners to pick up the poo – its only a few who don’t! It is unpleasant for others who stand on it and it can pass on diseases.
Thanks for your consideration!

Your flexible, on-demand bus service for rural villages

LinkUp on-demand bus service is provided by Lichfield District Council and connects our rural villages to our high streets and is being delivered on our behalf by wemove.
Perfect for those in areas with fewer public transport options, LinkUp provides a convenient and greener way to reach Lichfield.
Whether you’re off to the shops, meeting friends, or need to connect to wider travel networks, LinkUp is here to make your journey easy.
It’s a bit like booking a taxi, but you will share your transport with others, just as you would share a bus. The LinkUp service takes you to your destination from your nearest fixed or virtual bus stop.
• LinkUp bus operates:
o 9am – 5pm, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays.
o 9am – 7pm, Thursday, Fridays & Saturdays.
o We are sorry but the service does not operate on Sundays or bank holidays.
• LinkUp buses are accessible for wheelchair users, buggies and bikes, with drop floors and a dedicated space for wheelchairs.
• Assistance dogs (or those in training) are welcome on board.
• For those travelling with children, please let us know if any special arrangements are needed.
• View our bus stops across the district.
Booking and paying is really easy
You either need to book on the LinkUp app or call the LinkUp team to set up an account and make a booking on 0808 134 6632 – you cannot hail a LinkUp bus or pay for travel on the bus. You can add a payment card to your account to make paying for your fares really easy.
To book please head to Lichfield District Council for more information.

See FAQs below:
LinkUp FAQs

LOCAL ECONOMIC POWERHOUSES BLOODSTOCK, BEARDED THEORY, AND DERBYSHIRE SAUSAGE & CIDER FESTIVAL

DRIVE £16 MILLION ANNUAL BOOST WHILE CALLING FOR URGENT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

Bloodstock Festival, together with fellow Catton Park events Bearded Theory and the Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival, are shining a spotlight on the enormous positive impact these long-standing events have on the local economy. A recently commissioned independent survey carried out by Bluegrass Research reveals that these three festivals contribute over £16 million annually to the regional economy, amounting to £160 million over the next decade.

However,Chetwynd Bridge, a Grade II*-listed structure built in 1824, is no longer able to support the volume of modern traffic it endures today. Due to it’s historic significance. The council cannot carry out the recommended work needed to make the bridge structurally sound, resulting in the need to build a new bridge. Width and weight restrictions have already been implemented, causing significant disruption to not only the events, but to local traffic and business, especially farming. Emergency services are also affected, given the width restriction of the Baily Bridge at Walton. Plans for a new alternative bridge have already been discussed, but local authorities say they lack the funds to progress with construction.

“The success of the events at Catton, which bring in a significant amount of money to the local economy, are in a large part, due to the easy access to Catton Park from the A38, which does not disrupt any local villages” said Ollie Neilson, landowner of Catton Estate. “If the Chetwynd Bridge were to close, traffic would be diverted through rural communities in Staffordshire and Derbyshire, causing significant disruption to residents and event attendees alike. The potential economic and community impact of inaction is staggering.”

Bloodstock Festival and Bearded Theory have taken proactive measures to minimise strain on the local infrastructure. Both festivals have extended their arrivals over two days, spreading out traffic to reduce congestion for local residents and alleviate pressure on the ageing bridge and surrounding roads. These changes have been widely praised by the community and have significantly improved traffic flow. While these measures help mitigate immediate issues, the long-term solution lies in building a new bridge that meets the needs of today’s traffic demands.

Bloodstock Festival, Bearded Theory, and the Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival are jointly urging local authorities, national policymakers, and other stakeholders to prioritise funding for the construction of a new bridge. The festivals collectively highlight how the £16 million annual income they generate every year far exceeds the estimated cost of building a replacement bridge, a project that would pay for itself many times over.

None of the events wish to have to relocate or discontinue, depriving the local area of this crucial income, but fear they may soon be backed into a corner with little choice. When so many independent festivals are closing every year – the latest report from the Association of Independent Festivals detailed 72 closing in the UK in 2024 alone (and a total of 204 since 2019) – factors such as local infrastructure remain critically important to their survival, whilst they face a sea of other challenges.

“As festivals, we are not just about music, food, and community spirit – we are engines of economic growth for the region,” adds Rachael Greenfield, Director of Bloodstock. “This is not just about preserving access to Catton Park and our individual events; it’s about securing the future of the many local businesses, jobs, and services that depend on these events. The time to act is now.”

Bloodstock, Bearded Theory, and the Derbyshire Sausage and Cider Festival are committed to ensuring their long-term sustainability while continuing to drive growth and opportunity for the local economy. The festivals are calling on the community to join them, to amplify their voices and urge policymakers to prioritise this critical infrastructure investment.