News Release

11th April 2003

WORK ON LICHFIELD - ARMITAGE RAIL LINE. MEETING TO BE CALLED.

County Councillor Frank Lewis has spoken to David Wilson Head of Engineering Services at Staffordshire County Council Highways and says that he does not think that it will be likely that work will start on the line between Lichfield and Armitage for 18 months. Meanwhile, the Strategic Rail Authority are expected to publish a final statement in May when the time table of works when the two rail tracks between Armitage and Lichfield are widened to four will be made clear. A public meeting will be called before works begin.

Michael Fabricant says "This delay offers a short reprieve before the works are due to commence. We all accept this will cause disruption to people's lives - particularly those living in Armitage and Handsacre where the route of the line cuts through the middle of the towns. Before works are due to commence, I plan to call a public meeting in Armitage so that lines of communication can be established between residents, the contractors, the Strategic Rail Authority and me and Councillor Frank Lewis so that we can minimise any damage to people's property or lives. This is a matter I raised with the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, in the House of Commons in the beginning of April".