A potential rethink of a city centre pedestrianisation scheme has been welcomed by Lichfield’s MP.
Lichfield District Council is trialling the switch on a number of roads, including Market Street, Conduit Street, Tamworth Street, Breadmarket Street and Bore Street.
The move has also seen on street blue badge bays switched to nearby car parks, leading to a petition from disabled drivers.
The new chair of the council’s overview and scrutiny committee, Cllr Steve Norman, said he hoped the impact of the decision could be looked at again.
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said issues being raised by local businesses did need to be looked at in more detail.
“While I have always been a strong advocate of pedestrianisation in the centre of Lichfield, a number of constituents have raised practical issues as to how this might be implemented. So I welcome the district council’s rethink.
“The obvious issue concerns deliveries to retail and food outlets in the pedestrian zone. But of equal, if not more, concern in Lichfield is the provision of health services including pharmacy, dentistry and hearing augmentation which are also well within the zone.
“The elderly or disabled need access to these services.
“Tim Spooner, a local dentist, has explained to me that some patients suffering from diseases like Parkinson’s need to have appointments near the middle of the day when their morning medication has had a chance to kick in. Early morning or late afternoon appointments are not always suitable.
“We need to recognise this urgent need for disabled people to visit these health clinics by car while ensuring that motorised access to the pedestrianised zone is not abused.
“Other councils have found compromises to this problem and these need to be explored. However, I fully recognise that the centre of Lichfield has more mixed usage than some other cities.”
Michael Fabricant
The move to pedestrianisation has not been without criticism but both Labour and the Conservatives have recently backed the principle of limiting vehicles in the city centre.
Mr Fabricant said the move would have benefits if the impact on some visitors could be managed.
“Getting the balance right between pedestrianisation and the needs of residents is not going to be easy, but there does need to be a solution to assist those least mobile in our community.
“However, I remain convinced that pedestrianisation of the city centre will ultimately provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors and residents alike.
“Experience from other parts of the UK shows that people spend more time and more money in pedestrianised streets which stimulates the local economy for the benefit of all.
“The greening of the centre of Lichfield should remain a priority once these issues have been resolved.”
Michael Fabricant
This will be welcomed by disabled people, many of whom have found themselves effectively excluded from the city centre, which is clearly discrimination. Lichfield already has several pedestrianised areas, including a fully pedestrianised precinct. The market square and immediate area, and Bore Street, have several key facilities that disabled people need to access. Were this not so, perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue. Those who have opposed access for blue badge holders display appalling selfishness. They can walk around as much as they like; unfortunately many others can’t. Nearby carparks are too far away- if those with mobility problems could manage these distances they wouldn’t need a blue badge; sadly they can’t. The answer seems obvious- reinstate the disabled parking in these small areas, but enforce restrictions to stop other cars coming through. Doesn’t seem too much to ask in this day and age, does it?
The last I heard there was going to be a six month trial regardless. The number of compromises needed to cover all circumstances would make any decision impossible. The area is pedestrianised or it isn’t. Not too difficult to comprehend. The argument that Lichfield is different from anywhere else is ridiculous.
As with other public issues the District Council seems good a procrastination but very little else.
Since when has Fabrican’t argued in favour of his constituents? He was the one who wanted pedestrianisation in the first place and b*gger the needs of the disabled! The man is a fool and contrives to face all ways at the same time, vote him out!
Poor show on the local Tory Association for reselecting him. I have written several times to the Association and never had the courtesy of a response. I will be switching my vote when the time comes.
Get back to GB News Fabbo!
I now am in a wheelchair and no longer use Lichfield. What the council have done is discrimination.As far as I know,no one on the council are dependent on wheelchairs as are those who are in favour of pedestrianisatian . One day some of these people might become disabled.A decent council would accommodate everyone like they use to. As for Fabricant,he has had it too easy for too long in what was a safe seat.A New MP is needed.Lichfield should be for everyone!
If you want an example of how broken our local politics is it is this.
Lichfield is trying to pedestrianise about half a kilometre of road. Every town and city in Britain has done this and more decades ago, but all we do is review and consider. Lichfield is tiny, there’s loads of parking around the city. There’s also a central bus stop and a train station within a couple of hundred metres. This should be incredibly simple.
No wonder Friarsgate is still a hole in the ground.
Pedestrianisation is the right thing to do. As others have pointed out, we’re one of the last remaining towns/cities to do it.
The majority making all the fuss about this are the boomers who believe it’s their god-given right to park 10 paces from the front door of Wilko. It’s not much further from Friary car park, and other similar car parks in the area – so suck it up and just enjoy a car-free centre like the rest of us.
To the old bloke in the SUV who recently tried to run me & my dog down on Bore St (the existing pedestrian bit by The Works) – I hope you lose your licence before you seriously hurt someone.
Lichfield District Council fix the shopmobility service, it is sub standard and not fit for service hiding away in the outskirts of a car park lockup basement, used annually by a teeny tiny handful of disabled people. It may also require its own budget & some management to be sorted out & not just be part of the Lichfield Public Toilet budget allocation (source: FOI request LDC) forgotten about.
This hardly inspires confidence in the City of Lichfield visitor offering, does it now?
I am disabled and walk (with difficulty) with two crutches. This measure means that I am unable to visit The Hub or the Guildhall, or use any of the businesses in Bore Street, all of which I used to love. I have tried to access these from the present parking spaces but it is just not possible. I do think that there should be a better observed speed limit of 5mph and that (as should always happen!) pedestrians have priority. But to totally exclude the disabled from the heart of the city is cruel.
I for one as a GenX don’t mind the disabled or elderly having their parking spaces where they used to be. I’m sure the smug looking Dog Walkers, holier than thou parents or Al-Fresco coffee drinkers would feel agitated but I’ll walk on by them with a stern stare
I see one or two have responded with the usual whataboutery, which is meaningless. In any town or city, disabled access should be determined on a case by case basis. A blanket approach will discriminate against millions of people. Some people also don’t seem to appreciate the mobility limits of others. If you can only walk an extremely short distance, or at least not without considerable pain or discomfort, you can qualify for PIP benefit, which will enable you to run a car to get around, usually through the Motability scheme (you would likewise struggle to manhandle a wheelchair in and out of your car). You can then qualify for a blue badge to use the car meaningfully. The distance from carparks to key facilities might not seem much to able bodied people, but to disabled people it can be a show stopper. The area in question is only a very small part of the city centre- what is the big problem in having a concession for blue badge holders? Sometimes I despair at the attitude of some.
lots of cars driving through the City Centre this morning, even one car turned round outside Mcdonalds and drove back the way he came against any other traffic entering the City
Again drivers are not taking any notice of the new signs, and no traffic warden stopping vehicles entering, perhaps we also need a warning of the restriction painted on the road surface,
Unless we go back to how it was and allow Blue Badge parking
The solution to this issue is quite simple really. Pedestrianise the whole area from the old cinema onwards. Delivery drivers and market traders before 8.45 am. Market traders after 4.30 in the spring, summer, autumn and after 3.00:pm in the winter and when the weather is bad (use the common sense rule). Blue badge holders any time. Thoughtfully put in more parking spaces and designated pavement cafe/bar spaces. Encourage cafes etc to use the market space on non market days. Enforce vehicle entrance rules and a 10mph speed limit rigorously. Meets everyone’s needs. Simple enough for councillors to understand (using their common sense). Everyone enjoy!