About opening the route
We have been working closely with Network Rail since 2022 to secure a lease for the former South Staffordshire Railway line, with the aim of transforming the route into a green corridor linking Lichfield to Chasewater and the surrounding settlements of Burntwood and Hammerwich.
The project will provide a safe route for recreation and active travel, while celebrating and preserving an important piece of the area’s historic transport heritage.
Extensive works have now been completed along the 6.5km route, marking a major milestone in the project’s progress, including:
- Comprehensive route and structural surveys, undertaken to assess the condition of bridges, culverts, and embankments, which informed key safety works.
- Tree surveys and hazardous tree removal, including the identification and removal of dead, diseased, or unstable trees, and the trimming of overhanging branches to ensure the safety of the route and surrounding areas.
- Key safety works, including the installation of fencing in areas with potential fall risks, improved access points, and the installation of signage along the route.
- Removal of rail track and sleepers, with the existing ballast graded to remove larger stones, then crushed and compacted to create a safe, level walking surface.
We have worked closely with local contractors and the community-led volunteer group Back the Track throughout these works, ensuring the project supports the local economy while making the best use of local skills and expertise.
Together, these efforts have helped prepare the route for public use.