Lichfield and Staffordshire Council are effecting an experimental Traffic Regulation Order restricting all traffic within the city centre and preventing disabled parking on Bore Street. This is being implemented without any prior meaningful consultation with businesses or residents. 

Many businesses within the centre have felt the impact of the restrictions as they have come into place, with customers spending less time frequenting shops and hospitality venues due to being unable obtain blue badge parking. Despite the temporary notices suspending parking within Bore Street being in place, an average of 19 vehicles have been parked within the bays daily and upon investigation it was found that all alternative designated blue badge spaces within city centre car parks were simultaneously occupied. 

Several healthcare providers exist within this zone; Bore Street Dental Practice provides NHS care to more than 150 patients daily of which over 20 rely on the blue badge parking and/or access and would otherwise be unable to attend. There is no alternative NHS provision within the area. This equates to around 5000 of our most vulnerable residents being unable to receive dental care. The podiatry clinic, which has been operational for almost 40 years looks after a large number of patients who will be unable to attend following this move. A hearing centre is set to relocate to an alternate town as a direct result of this move.