The old paving around Market Square which had to be replaced. Pic: Trevor Rickard and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

A £250,000 project to replace Lichfield city centre’s paving has been completed five weeks ahead of schedule.

City centre paving
The old paving around Market Square which had to be replaced. Pic: Trevor Rickard and
licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Work began in January on Breadmarket Street, Conduit Street and the lower part of Market Street.

They previous ones were only laid in 2007, but many had begun to break up and come loose.

Staffordshire County Councillor Mark Winnington, said the new ones are designed to be “tougher and more durable”.

“The team has been working hard on the city centre scheme to get the job done as soon as possible as we know it’s a busy area,” he said. “To complete it five weeks ahead of schedule is excellent news for everyone in Lichfield.

“This is an important job as it helps to ensure that Lichfield is an attractive place to visit and invest.”

The project saw roads closed in a set sequence to allow the works to take place. Pavements remained open throughout the works so local businesses could operate as usual.

Councillor Ian Pritchard, cabinet member for economic growth, development and environment at Lichfield District Council, said: “It was very disappointing that the original paving setts were not as hard-wearing as they should have been and the roads needed to be repaved fairly soon after the original project.

“That said, the new paving looks very smart and the works have been completed with as little disturbance to visitors and businesses as possible.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.