Residents have packed into a meeting to demand an end to trucks using parts of Lichfield as a rat run.

They were raising concerns over the number of HGVs using Birmingham Road and Trent Valley Road.

Conservative parliamentary candidate Michael Fabricant was also at the meeting and agreed that tougher action was needed.

He said: “Residents are extremely angry that when there are roadworks on the A38 and A5, heavy goods vehicles do not follow the diversion signs, but instead cut through the centre of Lichfield.

“It is making life a living hell and damaging buildings and the road surface.”

The meeting was also attended by Richard Rayson from Staffordshire County Council’s highways department.

Mr Fabricant added: “The county council must recognise that diversion signs do not deter many HGV drivers from taking a short cut through Lichfield.

“I told the Richard Rayson, with the vocal support of the meeting and with the support of Cllr Terry Finn, that the only solution is temporary weight restriction when there are roadworks and a permanent weight restriction once a study currently being conducted is concluded. Unlike diversions, weight restrictions are obeyed by most truck drivers.

“I asked Mr Rayson to keep me fully informed of developments and reminded him that the Government has fully empowered local county councils to impose weight restrictions where they are suitable.

“With the by-passes now in place around Lichfield and a further southern by-pass to follow, there is now no excuse not to impose weight limits in central Lichfield.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.