AN agreement could soon be reached which would see a new greenway opened along the route of a former railway track through Lichfield and Hammerwich.
Lichfield District Council has been in talks with Network Rail over a deal for the former South Staffordshire Line.
A report to a meeting of the local authority’s cabinet has now confirmed a 50-year- agreement could be signed off in the coming months.
Preparatory work has already been taking place along the 6.5km stretch, with volunteers from Back the Track carrying out clearance of vegetation along the former railway line for the past year.
A report from Cllr Janice Silvester-Hall, cabinet member for the visitor economy, ecology and climate change, said:
“A 50-year lease has been provided by Network Rail which will include a requirement for the adoption of the full asset that includes bridges, embankments, structures – fences, barriers etc – cuttings, buildings, culverts, trees and sidings together with any associated risks.
“Preparation work is near completion with vegetation clearance, tree safety inspections and works complete, fencing and access points improved at key locations, signage in place and asset assessments complete.
“The removal of the rail track and reduction of ballast is also underway and expected to take eight to ten weeks. This means that council is now in a position to consider adopting the route, if it so wishes.
“Discussions have been ongoing with our corporate insurer, since the last update to cabinet in December 2024, to explore what level of insurance cover they will be willing to provide based on various mitigations being in place.
“The council has worked with Back the Track, a volunteer group to undertake a large proportion of these works and they have made great progress since they started on site in April 2024.
“The ambition is that Lichfield District Council can ‘step out of the way’ and enable community groups such as Back the Track to take on as much of the ongoing management of the route as possible.”
If councillors back the plans, then a deal could be signed during the summer.
A £400,000 reserve is also being considered to provide “self-insurance” for the council.
Cllr Silvester-Hall’s report added:
“It is also proposed that we open the route up to the public in stages as and when sections of the surface have been completed rather than waiting for the whole 6.5km of route to be complete.”
The proposals will be discussed by Lichfield District Council’s cabinet at a meeting on 23rd June.
Absolutely barmy !!! why would the council want to inherit the maintenance and upkeep of the bridges hedges etc for the next 50 years?
Network Rail must be laughing all the way to the bank knowing ANY issues with the track path and associated infrastructure will be fully covered by LDC via the council tax payers.
It’s simply not worth it.
Must agree with Local Man. A path is a great idea, but it seems odd to take on such a liability. And how will ripping up the track affect the potential for reopening the line, particularly with Lichfield’s increasing population?
Splendid, why not engage with our resident canal renovation experts, they have a very impressive track record of closure on such projects. The residents of Lichfield will be thrilled at the prospect of a fun day out in the year 2168.
Not worth it. And it absolutely rules out the line ever coming back into use
Dr Beeching all is forgiven! Another line closed to make way for a road!
SO glad I don’t live in that area! 🤣
Nice idea , but at what cost to the local council tax payer , a pretty big cost by the sounds of it.
As you say Local man , network rail will be over the moon with this deal.
Really not worth it.
Has anyone actually done any research into this? Like would a green way be used enough for the cost of the upkeep of the infrastructure etc?
Shame they couldn’t link the chasewater railway in some way, extended the heritage railway and people could of caught a steam train from Lichfield city to chasewater and Burntwood.
As someone who walked the line in 2019, and had the scratches to prove it, it will be an excellent tourist attraction, bike path, running path, stop off by Chasewater etc. Exercise in the open air is an investment.
I’d much prefer it if the line was reinstated as a live railway. If proposals for light rail / metro services between Dudley and Brownhills (via Walsall) were to be delivered, ignoring the final four miles to Lichfield would be a nonsense.
Another LDC White Elephant!
Not sure if some people commenting on here understand the railway (or maybe it’s me?). This is the old Lichfield to Walsall line, from Brownhills to Walsall it’s already a lovely walking and cycle route, the MacClean Way. No way is this ever going to be turned back into a working line.
Few facts – this line was closed to passenger traffic in 1965 – 60 years ago!
Kept open as a single line to service Charringtons in Brownhills – a heavy oil distribution depot – which closed in the early 2000s.
This railway track has been left to become wildly overgrown unable to be utilised for the general public for 60 years!
Network Rail have no plans – past or present – to reopen the line. It is just not financially viable.
The rails and ballast could not be re-used if the rail were to return so they are being removed to make a greenway for walkers cyclists, dog walkers, joggers and the wide range of potential users that litter the roads in an around Waitrose.
The track has been cleared by volunteers at a minimal cost and Lichfield District Council should be applauded in my opinion in making use of this facility – this works alongside the Heritage Trail and the new canal towpath.
Well said my Noble citizen Michael. I do hereby confer a knighthood on you* You speak well and for the truth.
This effort is worthy.
*not a real one, obvs.
There are so many previous rail routes in the area, particularly Derbyshire, that are now National Paths. The Tissington Trail and High Peak Trail to name but two. Why is there such a song and dance about this one? It scarcely needs justification. It’s a no brainer. Just get it done. Everything is like swimming in treacle where decision making is concerned here.
Who paid for the massive bridge over the M6 Toll.
I among the many thought that this was going to lead to the eventual reopening of the railway line, it appear that this bridge will only carry foot traffic!
I do worry about this deal. If a lorry crashes into one of the bridges for example as I understand it Lichfield residents will now be liable for the thousands of pounds it will cost to repair it. It doesn’t seem reasonable for the benefits of opening a new walk way.
Peter if you check correctly you’ll find that the lorry company insurers have to pay the cost of repairing the bridge
Hi I am a member of the public I do not live in northern England I live in the south east of England i think the lichfield rail route should be reopened as a proper rail link and a proper rail connection to help improve rail services up their not as a green way it’s not rocket science for heavens sake Dave