Lichfield Birmingham Road work stopped due to coronavirus

The contractor, Coleman Group, that is carrying out the improvement works to Lichfield’s bus station and surrounding area in Birmingham Road, is temporarily stopping work and securing the site.

The group has taken the decision to close all of its construction sites, which means Lichfield District Council’s project to improve an area off Birmingham Road, including the bus station and former police station, has been put on hold.

The contractors will be working through Friday night and Saturday morning to finish resurfacing the bus station, and will be making sure the site is made safe and secure before leaving it. The site will be monitored while it is temporarily closed to make sure it is safe and secure.

The Coleman Group sent the closure order to the council on March 27 outlining that they had made the decision to close all their sites due in part to difficulties in maintaining and enforcing social distancing measures both on site and travelling to sites. In it they also explained the need to safeguard their workers and their families.

Councillor Iain Eadie, Lichfield District Council’s cabinet member for investment, economic growth & tourism, said: “Although we are obviously disappointed to see the works put on hold, we understand that these are unprecedented times and the safety of the workers has to be a priority. We will be in close communication with The Coleman Group over the coming weeks and look forward to work continuing as soon as it is safe to do so.”

The closure of the site will be reviewed in mid-April. Any decision to reopen and start work again will be based on government guidance, a risk assessment, and the ability to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the public, their employees and their families.