Anger over calls to ban cars

Calls are growing for the complete pedestrianisation of Lichfield city centre - to the horror of disabled people because city centre streets are open to disabled drivers.

They can park in a number of street bays, as well as permit holders and delivery drivers.

Rumours the centre will be pedestrianised have rumbled on for decades.

But now the possibility has been mooted at recent meetings of the North Lichfield Initiative and the Lichfield City Forum.

Councillor Terry Thomas made the suggestion at a meeting of the North Lichfield Initiative. The group, wrote to Staffordshire County Council, which would make any decision on pedestrianisation.

The council is sending a representative to the forum's meeting in April to discuss the issue.

Lichfield and District Access Group acting chairman James Carney said: "There are a lot of people who need to get as close as they possibly can," he said.

A disabled Lichfield man, who visits the city centre around three times a week, said if it were pedestrianised he would not pay his council tax.

Staffordshire County Council said there were no formal proposals for the pedestrianisation of the city.