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# Walkway along former railway route would make Hammerwich a “juicy target” for developers, councillor says
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillor-says-walkway-along-former-railway-route-would-make-hammerwich-a-juicy-target-for-developers/
- Published: 2021-02-11T08:25:22.000Z
- Updated: 2021-02-10T22:23:03.000Z
- Description: A local councillor says proposals to open up a former railway line as a walkway or cycle path between Lichfield and Burntwood would make Hammerwich a “juicy target” for developers.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Burntwood, Politics, Transport, Hammerwich, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

A local councillor says proposals to open up a former railway line as a walkway or cycle path between Lichfield and Burntwood would make Hammerwich a “juicy target” for developers.

![Picture: Geoff Pick](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1482933_0175e1b1.jpg)

The former railway line through Hammerwich. Picture: [Geoff Pick](https://www.geograph.org.uk/profile/4946?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk). Available for reuse under this [Creative Commons licence](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/?ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk)

Lichfield District Council’s draft Local Plan 2040 has outlined [proposals to prevent developments](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/plan-aims-to-safeguard-route-of-former-railway-line-between-lichfield-and-walsall/) which would prevent future use of the route of the Lichfield to Walsall line.

The local authority’s leader, Cllr Doug Pullen, [confirmed discussions over creating a new trail along the line were taking place](https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/options-for-long-term-future-of-future-of-former-railway-line-in-lichfield-are-being-explored-council-leader-says/) with Network Rail.

But Cllr Vance Wasdell, chairman of Hammerwich Parish Council, said the idea of a walking or cycling route would risk opening up the area to increased housing development.

> “Converting it to a footpath would suit developers who see Hammerwich green belt as a juicy target and well within what they could afford.  
>  
> “Those that want a footpath should help with redeveloping the canal – a project that is more beneficial for wildlife and the towpath as good or better for human recreation.”  
>  
> Cllr Vance Wasdell, Hammerwich Parish Council

Cllr Wasdell said people living near the former line would rather see trains run along the route again – despite the last passenger services operating through the village in 1965.

> “As a Hammerwich resident I am aware that there is plenty of support for a rail service with a local station, which could be provided on the old Charrington’s site to serve the Burntwood area.  
>  
> “I would expect the main traffic flows would be from Burntwood and Brownhills to Birmingham, as at the moment this traffic is almost totally car-based with little viable public transport.  
>  
> “Should congestion charging come into being in Birmingham or parts of the West Midlands, non-rail served communities – such as Burntwood – will be the big losers.  
>  
> “Burntwood is closer to Birmingham via Walsall by rail than Lichfield is to Sutton Coldfield, so commuting from Burntwood should be both cheaper and quicker.  
>  
> “There would be the added bonus of a ten minute journey to Walsall and good connections to Wolverhampton, Shropshire or even a day out at Aberystwyth.”  
>  
> Cllr Vance Wasdell, Hammerwich Parish Council