Start on £1m city revamp

TRADERS in Lichfield are bracing themselves for the start of work on a £1 million city centre paving scheme.

Work will begin on the refurbishment of key streets and roads in just 12 days time. And Lichfield Lichfield District Council has unveiled an artist's impression of how the completed project will look.

Streets, pavements and pedestrian zones in line for a makeover include Tamworth Street, Bore Street, Market Square, Breadmarket Street and part of Market Street.

Construction work will kick off on January 8 and the whole project should be completed by mid-summer.Lichfield District Council development services leader Neil Roberts said: "I am delighted that construction work is about to get started.

"The new paving and environmental improvements will help to link the pedestrian zones in the city centre, smarten up an already lively and exciting area and introduce traffic calming measures to improve the safety for pedestrians."

The scheme will be delivered in six phases in a bid to reduce the impact on shoppers and traders.

The first phase will affect Market Square and Tamworth Street.

While some of the makeover work is taking place, the market will be relocated to neighbouring streets, but nearby shops will remain open as usual.

Peter Young, town clerk for Lichfield City Council, which manages the markets, said: "I don't think the traders will suffer that much although trade in the city will obviously be affected by the work.

"But in the long-term it will make the city centre a much more interesting and viable place to shop."

By Victoria Hoe