Council asks for crossing help

Controversial plans for a new pedestrian crossing at a key junction in Lichfield city centre, are being thrown open to people who would use it.

County chiefs want to put a £30,000 electronic pedestrian crossing at the junction of St John Street and The Friary but concerns have been raised about the effects on the environment.

Staffordshire County Council earmarked the site for road safety action, following a series of accidents and requests from councillors. And it is now calling for potential users of the crossing to give their views.

Officers will be out at the junction next Friday between 8am and 2pm with explanations and a questionnaire.County councillor Terry Finn, who supports the scheme, said: "This crossing is really important to the local community.

"It will help children, older residents and disabled people get across this busy road in safety, to the library, the shops, schools and the town centre. It puts people first.

"The funding has been identified - we should seize the opportunity. We need to take action before someone else is injured."

The spot is a busy crossing point for pedestrians and has been the scene of four injury accidents in the last five years.

But Lichfield District Council development services leader Neil Robert said: "We work daily with people who live in Lichfield and we know how passionate they are about the aesthetics of their city, and feel that they will also question this design."