Final section of Lichfield’s £17.5milllion southern bypass opens

Staffordshire County Council says the new section of road completes an essential part of the city’s infrastructure which supports the delivery of new housing and future growth.

The road, which opened last Friday, connects the A5127 Birmingham Road with the A5206 London Road and has included building an underpass beneath the Cross City railway line.

This phase of the works was carried out with a 100-hour rail possession over Christmas 2019.

The scheme is being funded by Persimmon Homes as part of a wider strategy for the bypass which includes major contributions from the Department for Transport (£5 million) and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership - which allocated £2.3m of its Growth Deal funding to the project.

SCC says the route also enables the future restoration and construction of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal and its project team worked closely with the trust to deliver elements of the canal construction works.

Last Friday, partners involved in the two-and-a-half-year project gathered on site to mark the occasion. They included representatives from Staffordshire County Council, Lichfield District Council, Persimmon Homes, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust.

Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport David Williams said: “Completion of the final section of the Lichfield Southern Bypass is a significant marker and spur for the future regeneration of the city.

"It really will make a big difference – reducing city centre congestion, enabling housing development and helping to attract more investment

“It’s fantastic to mark the occasion with our partners and open up to traffic after two-and-a-half years.

"Notably this has been done safely through the pandemic period which is a credit to everyone involved.

“Working with partner organisations has been critical to the delivery of this scheme and we’d also like to thank residents and businesses for their patience while work was carried out.

"We can now look forward to the great benefits it will bring to the city.”

Iain Eadie, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Leisure & Local Plan, said: “We are all delighted the final section of the southern bypass is complete and now open.

"This was a complex project and is an example of great partnership working, including allowing for the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal route to be incorporated into the plans.”

Stephen Cleveley, managing director for Persimmon Homes West Midlands, said: “The Lichfield southern bypass has been a major collaborative scheme so we’re delighted to be here today with our partners to mark the completion of the final phase.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight all the hard work and dedication my team has put in to making this project a success, in particular our technical director Dan Hassall who has gone above and beyond his role to develop such a strong relationship with Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust.

“St John's Grange is a complex development for us, not only providing 450 new homes, but also the new link road and canal project involving the restoration of the original Lock 23.

"The new primary school, mixed use community hub, footpaths, cycleways, and open space including children’s plays areas and sports areas, will provide a real benefit for people living in Lichfield.”

The county council says the new road will link with the new housing development and primary school in addition to easing congestion in the city centre, particularly around the railway station.