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# Lichfield residents urged to make their feelings known on plan to use Festival Gardens for new filter lane
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/lichfield-residents-urged-to-make-their-feelings-known-on-plan-to-use-festival-gardens-for-new-filter-lane/
- Published: 2021-04-05T17:51:40.000Z
- Updated: 2021-04-05T17:51:55.000Z
- Description: People in Lichfield are being urged to make their feelings known on plans to use part of an open space in the city as part of a new road junction plan.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, Transport, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:14, News

People in Lichfield are being urged to make their feelings known on plans to use part of an open space in the city as part of a new road junction plan.

![The junction at the A51 and The Friary. Picture: Google Streetview](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bowlinggreen.jpg)

The junction at the A51 and The Friary. Picture: Google Streetview

Staffordshire County Council is hoping to use the Lichfield City Council land at Festival Gardens to create a filter lane between the A51 and The Friary at the Bowling Green island.

But [a petition against the proposals has gathered more than 3,000 signatures](https://www.change.org/p/lichfield-district-council-lichfield-save-festival-gardens-stop-the-proposed-filter-lane-at-a51-bypass-friary?redirect=false&fbclid=IwAR1XTCxuag6v7Fj0Ss-nqoDBduZxM9MJcbbb2Osa3NAxNoMGeBxc6lX0ekU&ref=lichfieldlive.co.uk).

In a joint statement, Kathy Coe MBE and Ann Hughes – who will contest Lichfield seats at the Staffordshire County Council election next month – said they could see “little benefit” in allowing the public open space to be lost.

> “Lichfield is known for its historic buildings and picturesque green open spaces and they are part of what makes the city such a wonderful place.   
>  
> “The Festival Gardena are one such space, just as you reach the city centre.   
>  
> “Staffordshire County Council’s request to Lichfield City Council to obtain and remove a piece of land in order to put a new filter lane from the A51 into the city centre should be reconsidered.   
>  
> “This is an area which rarely has more than slight delays even at peak times.   
>  
> “We can see little benefit which would be gained from the proposal and it would cause a period of disruption, just as COVID restrictions are beginning to lift, while also losing part of a green space which is a fundamental part of the beauty and interest of Lichfield.”  
>  
> Kathy Coe MBE and Ann Hughes

A consultation over the proposed disposal of the land closes at 9am tomorrow (6th April).

> “The plans which are proposed will require the removal of several mature trees and shrubs, affecting wildlife and the environment.   
>  
> “The gardens are part of the open spaces around Lichfield and despite pledges to maintain them this proposal would see more land concreted over.   
>  
> “Add your name to the petition if you would like to stop this change – it may be that you have children who benefit from this area, or you recognise it as a place where people exercise or are able to meet up with family and friends as restrictions lift.   
>  
> “If you share our concerns about these plans then express your concerns.”  
>  
> Kathy Coe MBE and Ann Hughes