The bridge over the West Coast Main Line in Streethay which will be removed as part of the new development

A new industrial development in Lichfield will provide “a real boost” to the local economy, according to a county councillor.

The bridge over the West Coast Main Line in Streethay which will be removed as part of the new development
The bridge over the West Coast Main Line in Streethay which will be removed as part of the new development

The Lichfield Park project will see new warehousing, industrial and office space created on land alongside the West Coast Main Line in Streethay.

The development had faced opposition locally, with Fradley and Streethay Parish Council raising “significant objections” to the due to issues with noise and an increased number of HGVs on local roads.

But the project will finally progress as work begins to demolish the bridge over the railway line in preparation for the new business park.

Cllr Mark Winnington
Cllr Mark Winnington

Mark Winnington, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for economy, environment & transport, said: “This scheme looks set to create more than 1,000 new jobs and will be a real boost to the local economy, so it is fantastic to see it get off the ground so quickly.

“Over the coming weeks our engineers will be pulling out all the stops to ensure we are ready to go and prepared to meet the challenge of removing the bridge over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.”

The work will see the temporary closure of the rear car park at Lichfield Trent Valley station – less than a year since it opened.

However, a new alternative car park has now opened at Crossfield Road nearby, and the developers say the £82.2million funding will also involve improvements to Burton Old Road.

In spring 2015, the first of 12 concrete beams will be lifted into place as part of the scheme to build a new, reinforced 26 metre bridge.

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust in the UK, said: “It is exciting to see progress being made at the Lichfield Park site.

“Providing the new car park facilities, an improved road and working towards the removal of the bridge are the first steps towards delivering what is an important development for the region.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.