Final phase of bypass scheme to start this week

Work on the final section of Lichfield’s southern bypass will get under way this week.

The £17.5m scheme will connect the A5127 Birmingham Road with the A5206 London Road. It will involve building an underpass beneath the Cross City railway line.

This week clearance work will begin off London Road opposite the petrol station, before construction of the access road starts on March 11.

This will later form part of the new road. While no traffic management on London Road is planned, part of the edge of the road may be sectioned off at times.

The railway bridge and the connection to Birmingham Road roundabout is being funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Local Growth Deal.  The remaining 600 metre stretch is being funded by a developer.

Last year the Department for Transport announced £5m would be allocated to the scheme, in addition to £2.3m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.

The road will link with a new housing development and new primary school in addition to easing congestion in the city centre and around the railway station.

Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader Mark Winnington said: “We are looking forward to starting the final phase of the Lichfield southern bypass which will make a huge difference to the city and spur its future growth.

“In addition to enabling the delivery of much-needed new homes it will reduce congestion in the city centre and improve traffic flow.

“It is a major engineering project which will involve taking the road under the railway line and this has involved a lot of careful planning. From this week people will begin to see activity on site but there should be very little disruption to motorists.”

Chris Loughran, deputy chair of GBSLEP, added: “The Lichfield southern bypass will transform the Lichfield area by improving traffic flow to relieve congestion and boost connectivity.

“The bypass will unlock a housing development site and improve access to new employment sites, attracting investment and creating new jobs. It will also enhance Lichfield’s reputation as a highly accessible tourism destination, further supporting the growth of the regional economy by enticing more visitors into the area.”

A public information event on the scheme was held in Lichfield in December.

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