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".

See earlier News Release of 2nd April
http://www.michael.fabricant.mp.co.uk/news-00286.ihtml